There is a bible verse I really like about faith. It’s Isaiah 1:17. It reads, “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” If you are my Facebook “friend”, you likely will read this verse on my cover photo. (If you’re not friend me!). I like this scripture because it defines my choices in life and makes clear my chosen profession is a Godly one.
“Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”
I’m not perfect, but I do try to learn to do right. I don’t live a perfect life, but I try to do right every chance I get. I feel like my life’s work allows me to “seek justice”, and “encourage the oppressed.” We often represent families torn apart by the wrongful death of a family member. And so I often am “defend[ing} the cause of the fatherless” and often “plead the case of the widow.” Perhaps to some, it may seem strange to bring “religion” or “church” or “belief” into this column or my practice of law. But for me, a believer, faith defines every single thing I do.
We have a prayer group at the firm. We gather on Mondays to begin the week together. We share our faith, give thanks for the blessings we have received, and ask for guidance and blessings for us personally, our families, and our clients. It’s really a great start of the week. Beginning very week, or every day, or every challenge in the presence of God, for me, is comforting. Whenever I am in trial or facing adversity, I also lean greatly upon my faith to get me through. And, if I ever obtain any success, I recognize that it is not my own but only through the blessings of my faith.
Let me make some things clear. There are no religious requirements at my firm and there are many different faiths and beliefs. I respect and value that. Some of our clients may like prayer. Some may not. I also work really, really hard as a lawyer and am aggressive as I need to be to help the people I represent. Law can be a tough business and trial work is always a fight. I get all of that too. I just thought that, since I shared my own reflections every month, I would be remiss if I failed to share the single most important influence on every single thing I do. As a business owner, a trial lawyer, a proud dad, and as a human being. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. Without Him, I honestly can’t do much at all.
