Welcome to another episode of the podcast. If you even glanced at the title this week, you’ll likely guess that this week’s show is a little different than normal. It is. I go there. It is HEAVY and HARD. But necessary. In fact, I typically keep every show super family friendly, but if you usually listen with little ears within earshot, please use discretion and perhaps pause and listen later when you can pop in your earbuds and go for a walk with the Lord.
In this episode, we ask ourselves these questions:
- How do we as entrepreneurs and business owners decide what we speak up about?
- When do we make the decision that it’s more beneficial to remain silent from a business standpoint?
- When is it okay to potentially repel people or make people uncomfortable with our words?
- How can we stay true to our values and stand firm in our faith while also owning a business?
- Finally, how can we use the rat race of social media for good, on both personal profiles and professional profiles, maybe even being selective on which platform you get loud?
1 Corinthians 15:58 says “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:13 says “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Finally, Colossians 4:6 says “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Here are a few FACTS on human and sex trafficking from Operation Underground Railroad’s founder Tim Ballard:
800,000 children go missing EVERY year. Read that again. EVERY YEAR!
98% of victims are female
The United States is the #1 consumer of child sex/exploitation material in the WORLD (consuming and producing)
In March there were 2 million reports of crimes against children in the US… TWO TIMES more than the year prior.
April was FOUR TIMES more than last year. FOUR MILLION REPORTS.
1 in 5 children will be sexually solicited before they turn 18 in the US
Every 30 seconds a child is stolen for sex, slave labor or for organ harvesting in the world.
July 30th is Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Text HELPTHEM to 51555 – Operation Underground Railroad
I have personally texted Operation Underground Railroad to stay up to date via text message and also follow them on Instagram.
Other organizations that are fighting the human trafficking fight:
Please, do your own research into these organizations as you choose how to take action and just don’t take my word for it. I would actually say that about every single thing I say — don’t just follow what anyone says — take control of your own education and opinions and please weigh everything in accordance to God’s Word.
This is so dark, so evil, but we can’t allow the dark hole to dictate us anymore… I feel like we become paralyzed by overwhelm because it IS too demonic for us to handle on our own. What can we do to help? Through Christ and his strength, we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
Philippians 1:27 “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
I recently heard a wise woman (Allie Stuckey, host of the Relatable Podcast) say that it only takes, say, 10% of people talking about something that matters to them to start a ripple effect.
We may never see the affects of our action — and we may never change anyone’s mind — but it will inevitably give courage to others to start speaking out too and know they’re not alone.
Subscribe to the podcast and connect with me for even more support and training on your legacy brand message. Join The Legacy Entrepreneur community here for connection and discussion.
** Would you do me a favor? If you are convicted by this topic, would you please share this episode with a friend? We are all responsible to do what we can — some of us are called to share, or to intercede in prayer, or to give financially, or to be boots on the ground — but we can ALL do something, and it’s going to start with awareness. Talking about it. Not being afraid to bring the dark into the light.
Thank you. I love you all.
Lindsey