Today, 6 September 2002, exactly 20-years ago, I was bankrupt before God. I had nowhere to turn except to Him. On my knees I pleaded for outcome and wisdom on how to get out of this darkness and financial mess I was in. One year after 9/11 our Rand currency devalued sharply, every shipment costing more and more, our overdrafts were maxed out and turnovers were down. A perfect storm that caused the mess we were in
I asked God to show me how to go bankrupt without hurting anyone. And he answered…
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
(Psalm 27:14)
I then read that I should Wait! Wait! And that my waiting should be on the Lord and that he is worth waiting for and never disappoints the waiting soul. And while waiting I should keep up my spirits and expect a great deliverance, and be ready to praise God for it. (Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith – C.H. Spurgeon – 6 Sept devotional.)
It was 20 very tough years. Crisis after crisis in the financial world; major political upheavals; rampant crime and corruption; a devaluing currency and to crown it all, then the Covid pandemic struck with vengeance with many friends, family and staff lost to the virus. Riots followed, floods followed and families and relationships were torn apart and many businesses closed down. It was not easy.
And yet, as I look back over the past 20 years God indeed did not disappoint me.
“You, Lord, kept my lamp burning; my God turned my darkness into light.”
(Psalm 18:28)
On our knees our family grew stronger. As we asked for help, the Holy Spirit encouraged us and reminded us that He will never leave us, nor forsake us and all that we needed to do, was to be strong and very courageous (Joshua 1:5-10). That we had to keep our lives free from the love of money, be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5+6) and step out of our comfort zones and make a difference by enlarge our tents by going against the tide and not succumb to fear, fully trusting on His promises – golden nuggets of truth that stand forever – with no expiry date. Trusting God to lead and guide us every step of the way while praising His holy name.
“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your takes… Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.”
(Isaiah 54:2-4)
Was the past 20-years easy?
No.
Was it worth trusting in God and His Word?
Absolutely 1000%.
Did I see miracles?
Many! Eduplex is witness to the fact that God still does miracles today.
Was it fun?
Yes, but maybe I should have taken myself a bit less serious.
What would I have liked to change?
I should have prayed more, trusted more and worried less.
What was my biggest satisfaction?
Having my family help me change the lives of many deaf children in Eduplex; giving tens of thousands of people good hearing throughout Africa; training professionals from more than 45 countries in God’s vision for the deaf; and being able to encourage people, through my books and talks, that God is worth trusting in your life and business.
What was my biggest test?
To wait for God in the desert.
Os Hillman says – “Do not try and shortcut the desert time of God. It only leads to cul-de-sacs, which force you to revisit the lessons you are meant to learn. Embrace them, so that He can use your life for something extraordinary.”
Thank you Nico. I needed God to speak to me through you today at our Gideons International in SA convention in Kimberley.
Thank you Nico! It is always a delightful inspirational experience to read, talk to, or listen to you. Blessings for the way forward.
Thank you Nico
Your sharing with us at the GIDEONS Convention BLESSED me and the fact that I could get a new vision on our Project.
Yes a Heart Thing and not a head thing.
My friend forwarded this blog post. I was going through the same experience a few years back and is this message such an inspiration. We as entrepreneurs sometimes have a very lonely path if not with God. Thank you.
Wow Wow Wow!
Ek sit vanoggend hier met hoendervleis na hierdie boodskap. Ek voel ek is in ‘n waiting period op die oomblik.(Geduld is nie my sterk punt nie) en ook dat ek ‘n groot tema in my lewe het op die oomblik van hoe om content te wees met wat ek het en waar ek is.
Baie dankie vir hierdie boodskap, dit het vir my baie beteken.
thank you Nico
Baie dankie dit maak ons net sterker in geloof. Om te bid en glo is nie maklik maar deur dit te doen is kosbaar en n 1000 x dit werd
Nico, your message today is of great encouragement to me. I can relate to your situation 20 years ago and I am grateful for your testimony and friendship.
Be blessed as you bless others!!????
Soli Deo Gloria!
Isaiah 6:3
Baie dankie vir so ‘n kosbare boodskap…….awesome!
Dit is nie maklik nee – God is groot. Dankie vir jou boodskap
Die Here is altyd in beheer
Thank you for sharing your testimony Nico, few of us experience the challenge to be bankrupt before God. Was it not for my brother-in-law’s bankruptcy., I would not have read your first book nor drank a few cups of coffee with you…I pray that God will continue to bless you and use you in His Kingdom especially in your current season.
Live love!
Dankie vir jou geloof – want jou geloof en Eduplex,het my gehoorgestremde seun ‘n kans gegee en weer hoop. Hy is in GR8 en LOVE elke oomblik van die skool en geleenthede.
Thx Nico, thankful for your wisdom, encouragement and faith.
Thank you Nico for sharing your powerful testimony this morning. To wait for God in the desert is indeed the biggest test! Jesus is faithful all the time!
Thank you Nico
I don’t always listen, and sometimes I feel I get too comfortable with waiting, so I worry then start worrying more about what in should do…
Thank you for your time to write to us.
I can also try take life less serious.
(Edited)
Such a blessing, thank you Nico!