The message that Jesus is first
and each believer is second has reached about
18 million people and 220 countries.-Norm Miller
As the chairman of a billion-dollar success, Interstate Batteries, Norm Miller knows how to build a business and work hard. Yet, his ambition as a young man didn鈥檛 seem to carry him to the fulfillment for which he was searching.
鈥淚 thought I was supposed to be happy. I had a family, a house, a job with a nice title, but I was getting worse,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 started drinking early, and ended up at 34 having a drinking problem. One morning I realized that I was not in control of things, and I was unfulfilled even after accomplishing the goals that I thought would make me happy.鈥�
Miller described his turning point during an interview with Dr. Robert Sloan, HBU president. 鈥淎 Christian friend told me the Bible was the Word of God. I said, 鈥榃ell, prove it.鈥� I started reading and studying about it,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淚 was actually kind of blown away. It had more basis for belief than anything in history.鈥�
Miller particularly remembers studying the fruits of the Spirit in the book of Galatians. 鈥淚 read 鈥榩eace, love and joy.鈥� I wanted to be happy and fulfilled,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 wanted my life to count.鈥�
Miller accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and attests, 鈥淕od promises to put His Spirit in your heart. The fruit of embracing and obeying God are the peace, love and joy, along with the other fruits of the Spirit.鈥�
His spiritual growth continued through discipleship and involvement in a church. Soon, Miller faced the question of how his faith and his work would interact.
鈥淲hen I got into discipleship, I saw that it was not segmented,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y brother 鈥� who came to Christ around the same time I did 鈥� we talked. In the book of Matthew, in essence it says that there is another meeting after this. If we have to stand before God, we have to make a decision. We decided that we were going to honor God. We prayed that we would not turn people off, but that we鈥檇 be winsome.鈥�
Company meetings began with prayer after that. Miller prayed for employees, and prayed for details about the business. He maintained a devotional practice, memorized Scripture and faithfully kept a prayer journal 鈥� all practices he continues today.
鈥淥ne morning that Scripture came in my mind that, 鈥榊ou will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8),鈥欌�� Miller said. 鈥淲here鈥檚 my Jerusalem? In North Texas I鈥檝e been a good witness I thought. The next thought I had was, 鈥楬ave you gone for broke? Can more be done? Can you do it? Well then
do it.鈥欌��
Miller phoned a ministry called e3 Partners. He wanted to find a way to reach people with the message of hope and salvation through Jesus.
鈥淭hey came back with this, 鈥業 Am Second鈥� campaign,鈥� Miller remembers. 鈥淚 thought, 鈥楬ow am I going to know if this is what I should do?鈥欌��
Miller prayed for God鈥檚 guidance to show him if the campaign was the right route to take. He recalled Jesus鈥� promise that if He is lifted up, He will draw all men unto Himself.
For the first time in prayer, Miller said, he felt a physical sensation lifting him up, describing the answer to his prayer. He realized that Jesus would do the drawing.
鈥淭he response was phenomenal and we went viral,鈥� Miller said of the campaign. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 been nine years ago.鈥�
The message that Jesus is first and each believer is second has reached about 18 million people and 220 countries, he said.
The campaign reached far beyond North Texas, just like Miller鈥檚 business. As the wise investor in the parable of the talents, Miller has multiplied his resources and invested in the lives of others.
鈥淥ne thing about being a Christian 鈥� you can play 鈥檛il the day you die. You don鈥檛 have to sit in the stands,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e get to be fulfilled in God in all the things He has for us.鈥�
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