Day 7: Bill Susanj
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NLT)
By the grace of God, I have been blessed with an incredible career over the past 30-plus years—far beyond anything I could have ever imagined, especially given my humble and challenging beginnings.
At the age of 6, my family and I arrived in the U.S. as refugees. I faced poverty, a troubled youth, and the pain of a broken home with separated and eventually divorced parents. However, at the age of 16, I encountered the Gospel at an evangelical church and accepted Jesus into my life.
Since then, the Lord has intervened in my life, guiding me through struggles and the ongoing process of sanctification. As Philippians 1:6 (NLT) says, "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
Upon graduating high school, I believed my only option was to pursue a military career. But God had other plans. As Romans 8:28 (NLT) promises, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them,”. I found myself accepted into college, with most of my expenses covered. Years later, I was able to earn a master’s degree.
Despite the challenges I faced throughout my career and life in general, God has been faithful, guiding me and my family through every trial.
In August 2023, I lost my position as a partner with a European consulting firm due to an inability to secure sufficient U.S. business. At first, this was not a daunting situation, as I had always been in demand, with numerous companies interested in my services. However, as the months passed, I suddenly realized that at age 63, I might no longer be employable.
Even in this uncertain time, God provided for me in remarkable ways. I took on ad hoc consulting projects, independent freelancing, and various short-term gigs. While these did not meet all of our financial needs, they kept us afloat. As the pressure mounted, the idea of starting my own company began to take shape—something I had never envisioned, but which became necessary.
By God’s grace, in just four months of developing this startup, I have secured the commitment of nearly 20 associates to join me in this venture. While we have yet to land our first client, early signs of interest have been encouraging, and I trust that 2025 holds great promise.
Ultimately, everything is in the Lord's hands, and I am deeply grateful for what He has done and will continue to do. As John 15:5 (NLT) reminds us, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Prayer
Dear Lord, As we step into this new year, we come before You with hearts open and ready to abide in Your presence. We are completely dependent on You for life, strength, and purpose. Teach us to remain in You each day, drawing closer through Your Word, prayer, and the guidance of Your Spirit.
Lord, we surrender our plans, ambitions, and uncertainties to You, trusting that apart from You, we can do nothing of eternal value. Empower us to bear much fruit—not by our own efforts, but through the life You pour into us. May our work, our relationships, and our lives reflect Your love, joy, and truth.
We look forward with expectation, believing that You will do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. Shape our hearts to align with Your will, and let our lives glorify You in all we do. Father, make us fruitful for Your Kingdom, so that others may come to know the beauty of abiding in You.
By the grace of God, I have been blessed with an incredible career over the past 30-plus years—far beyond anything I could have ever imagined, especially given my humble and challenging beginnings.
At the age of 6, my family and I arrived in the U.S. as refugees. I faced poverty, a troubled youth, and the pain of a broken home with separated and eventually divorced parents. However, at the age of 16, I encountered the Gospel at an evangelical church and accepted Jesus into my life.
Since then, the Lord has intervened in my life, guiding me through struggles and the ongoing process of sanctification. As Philippians 1:6 (NLT) says, "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
Upon graduating high school, I believed my only option was to pursue a military career. But God had other plans. As Romans 8:28 (NLT) promises, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them,”. I found myself accepted into college, with most of my expenses covered. Years later, I was able to earn a master’s degree.
Despite the challenges I faced throughout my career and life in general, God has been faithful, guiding me and my family through every trial.
In August 2023, I lost my position as a partner with a European consulting firm due to an inability to secure sufficient U.S. business. At first, this was not a daunting situation, as I had always been in demand, with numerous companies interested in my services. However, as the months passed, I suddenly realized that at age 63, I might no longer be employable.
Even in this uncertain time, God provided for me in remarkable ways. I took on ad hoc consulting projects, independent freelancing, and various short-term gigs. While these did not meet all of our financial needs, they kept us afloat. As the pressure mounted, the idea of starting my own company began to take shape—something I had never envisioned, but which became necessary.
By God’s grace, in just four months of developing this startup, I have secured the commitment of nearly 20 associates to join me in this venture. While we have yet to land our first client, early signs of interest have been encouraging, and I trust that 2025 holds great promise.
Ultimately, everything is in the Lord's hands, and I am deeply grateful for what He has done and will continue to do. As John 15:5 (NLT) reminds us, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Prayer
Dear Lord, As we step into this new year, we come before You with hearts open and ready to abide in Your presence. We are completely dependent on You for life, strength, and purpose. Teach us to remain in You each day, drawing closer through Your Word, prayer, and the guidance of Your Spirit.
Lord, we surrender our plans, ambitions, and uncertainties to You, trusting that apart from You, we can do nothing of eternal value. Empower us to bear much fruit—not by our own efforts, but through the life You pour into us. May our work, our relationships, and our lives reflect Your love, joy, and truth.
We look forward with expectation, believing that You will do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. Shape our hearts to align with Your will, and let our lives glorify You in all we do. Father, make us fruitful for Your Kingdom, so that others may come to know the beauty of abiding in You.
Posted in Boast in the Lord \\\'25
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