When business is challenging, and your heart grows weary, this simple reminder or ritual will keep you focused and remind you of the essentials of living by faith in God.

• Love is our first and only motivation. If you don’t love your work, your employees, and your customers — why are you in business?

• Do you trust that God understands the best pathway for your life? Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us,

• God accomplishes his will in your life, and you experience a deeper relationship when you obey.

• Don’t stop praying. Don’t worry, pray about everything. Tell God what you need; thank him for what he’s done.
  

Make this ritual a moment-by-moment habit.

Repeat, and get back to work.

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When was the last time you drank from a wineskin?

For me, it was probably thirty years ago, if it happened at all.

I remember a conversation with a business coach who said to me, “Think beyond this presentation. Think ‘new wine skin’ to launch you into the new chapter He has for you.”

His words really stuck with me. It took a few days of thinking to understand what he meant.

As I work to redefine my creative agency’s purpose and clarify how we serve clients, I keep trying to fit my new ideas and approach into the old way I explained what makes us different from other creative firms.

Even my wife—who is also my business partner and best friend for over thirty years—didn’t fully understand what we do until I made it simpler. She saw what we did, but she wasn’t sure why or how our business stood out.

Then I finally had a breakthrough. It felt like a moment of real clarity.

My “new wine” is the latest book I’ve written, which lays out a clear framework for branding, marketing, and audience engagement for the trades.

If you’re looking to reinvent yourself or your business, you can’t fit your old thinking into a new framework. A new purpose and outlook need a whole new way of thinking and working.

In the same way, as followers of Christ, we can’t hold on to new thoughts, values, and behaviors while still living the old way.

New wine goes into new wineskins because, as it ferments, it stretches the skin. If you use an old, dry wineskin, it will burst.

We have to let go of the old and make the changes needed so the new wine can reach its full potential in a new wineskin. New business directions and new life always require sacrifice.

It sounds simple, but it’s not always easy. We spend years building habits of thought that shape every part of our lives. Still, Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2 to “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

It’s not really our “new wine.” When we adopt God’s way of thinking and let Christ guide our thoughts, both in our lives and in how we run our businesses, it pleases Him.

Lord, remind us today to think about the new life you’ve given us and to act and live in a manner that pleases you. Lord, refresh us as we drink deeply from your truth, and to realize that the life you want for us won’t fit into our old ways of thinking, lifestyle, or way we manage the businesses of which we are stewards.

My wife and I were first in line for breakfast. We thought we were the only ones in the restaurant at 7 AM, but then Patrick greeted us with a cheerful “good morning!” As we chatted about our plans for the day, we invited him to join us for a quick meal before we all went our separate ways after meeting at a leadership conference.

We were heading home before leaving for another conference. Patrick was about to travel to the Philippines for two weeks to work with an international ministry focused on transformational leadership.

As we talked, he said it had been a fulfilling year, but he wasn’t sure what the next year would bring. He trusted that God would guide him, but he didn’t know yet how he might serve or what opportunities might come in the new year.

His words showed both hope and uncertainty, which reminded me of Moses, to whom God spoke “face-to-face, as one speaks to a friend,” (Exodus 33:11 NLT).

It’s remarkable that Moses spoke to God like this. Are you bold enough to talk with the Lord as you would with a friend?

Moses was candid with the Lord, as shown in these examples:

• You’ve given me direction, but you haven’t told me whom to lead. (V12)

• You’ve told me you know me intimately; if it’s true, then let me know you in the same way. (V13)

• Don’t forget, those whom you have redeemed belong to you. (As if the Lord would forget!) (V13)

• If you don’t personally go with us when I lead your people, don’t make us leave. (V15)

• If you don’t go with us in person, how will other people know we are yours? (V16)

Then Moses made a bold request: “Show me your glorious presence.”

Did God grow impatient with Moses at this point?

God never grows impatient when we ask him to show his glory and presence. He answered Moses in a way that met every concern, saying, “I will reveal all my goodness; I will announce my presence before you. Stand close; as my presence passes by, I will cover and protect you. You will see me from behind. It is I who will lead you into the uncertain future.”

We can trust the Lord in the same way. When we ask him to show his glory, he leads us until one day we see him face-to-face.

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Leading by Serving

A few days after the leadership conference, I chaired a national design conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

As the conference chair, I chose the presenters and served on the leadership team. When we started planning almost a year before, I decided to give it my best effort. During the event, I realized I was leading by serving more than 300 attendees and speakers. Over the past ten months and during the conference, my prayer was, “Lord, I need you to remind me of your presence. Show me your glory!”

And he did.

When you’re unsure where God is leading you, remember that you don’t have to ask for his presence the way Moses did.

As a believer, Christ is always with you, in you, and for you. If you’re not sure who you are meant to lead, look around. Remember, God knows you, and you can know him. Ask the Lord to show you his glory.

As he passes by, he will reveal his glory. You’ll see him from behind and know which way to go.

For further reading: Exodus 33

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I attended a retreat with a group that included faith-driven agency owners and leaders a couple of weeks ago. Agency Builders is a community that craves accountability and wants to manage time well so we don’t become dull blades.

That’s why I think you’ll love this conversation I had with bestselling author Jordan Raynor.

Busyness is a distraction that erodes our attention, drains our energy, and minimizes our effectiveness.

In this conversation, Jordan Raynor shares how we can overcome busyness and redeem our time.

Jordan Raynor is a serial entrepreneur and national bestselling author who helps Christians do their most exceptional work for the glory of God and the good of others.

Through his books, podcast, and weekly devotionals, Jordan has helped millions of Christians in every single country connect the gospel to their work.

Time is the one resource we never seem to have enough of. Once it’s gone — it’s gone! We can earn more money, but we can never gain any more time.

So how can we make the most of our time?

The gospels don’t show Jesus walking around with a to-do list or a calendar. But they do show him dealing with distractions at work, fighting for solitude, and seeking to be busy without being hurried.

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The gospel biographies show Jesus facing many of the same challenges we face today as we seek to steward our limited time. Because he was the infallible God, we can assume that Jesus managed his time perfectly, providing us with the ideal model to follow.

In Jordan’s book, Redeeming Your Time: 7 Biblical Principles for Being Purposeful, Present, and Wildly Productive, Jordan shows you seven timeless time management principles from the life of Christ and 31 hyper-practical practices to help you live out those principles today.

EntreWorship is reader-supported. Share it, buy a book, or become a paid subscriber.

Listen for answers to the questions:

• If God’s grace is sufficient, why does it seem the amount of time we have is insufficient?

• What’s the difference between being busy and being hurried?

• I don’t mind being purposefully busy, but I don’t want to be hurried. What principles and practices can you share with me to address the genuine tension I feel every day?

• What are seven practical ways I can manage my time well?

Connect with Jordan Raynor:

• Order the best-selling book, Redeeming Your Time: 7 Biblical Principles for Being Purposeful, Present, and Wildly Productive, on Amazon.

• Connect with Jordan at jordanraynor.com

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.

He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.

In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NLT)

We pray for our nation, families, churches, communities, businesses, and more — for lives disrupted by the evil one who thought he had achieved victory.

But that was on Friday.

Then the improbable happened. The impossible.

As our media and politicians would say, “the unprecedented.”

I pray that you will experience the beauty that God gives to replace the ashes of despair and worry in your life, and that you will be like a great oak, unshakable and strong, planted for God’s glory.

Our God is sovereign. Your life is in His hands. Your future is with Him.

Christ is Risen!

Is AI affecting your job? Have you been searching for your next career path for a long time? You’re not alone. Read Essential and Unshakable on the Bible App. Each day unveils a truth linking faith and vocation, inspiring you to flourish spiritually, personally, and professionally.

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The men’s ministry at the church I attend invited me to share my testimony. It’s a 10-minute talk; you can skim it in less.

I have no problem with public speaking. Put me in front of 10 or 1000 people, and I don’t get nervous.​ Well, maybe a little.

But that morning, I also talked about our kids.​ And when I started to talk about our daughter—her life and her mission work in Central America—I just couldn’t hold it together. I get to see her in person maybe twice a year, and FaceTime just isn’t the same.​

I lost my composure.​

What do men think when they see another man cry?

At the same time, there’s real joy in knowing that the country she lives in has become one of the safest in the world—safer than most big American cities. I’m trusting the Lord to keep her and her husband safe.​

If you’re a dad with a daughter, you know exactly what I mean.​

My name is Brian Sooy. I’ll try to condense 64 and a half years into 10 minutes.

Frederick Buechner wrote:

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

Every day, I seek to follow God at that intersection.

From my perspective, my testimony is ordinary. For the first 19 years of my life, I was alienated from God by nature and by choice. Then, in his grace, God called me to himself—and that changed everything.

Like many of us, my relationship with God through Christ began long before I knew him. I’m like the lost son from Luke 15. I often joke with my barber, “Do the best you can with what’s there.” I ask the same of our Father. God has given me a great inheritance, and I constantly pray not to squander it.

Now, I view life through the lens of three callings: the call to Christ, a conviction to co-create, and a commitment to my wife. God continues to weave these into one strong cord.

My First Calling: to Christ

I was called to Christ in 1979. By “called,” I mean I literally heard Jesus say, “Come.”

At 19, I was singing tenor in our tiny church choir during an altar call when I heard his voice. No one else heard it, but I still hear the echo. That day I confessed Jesus as Lord and believed that God raised him from the dead.

Not long after, God got my attention through a near-death experience—a wake-up call that he wanted my trust and obedience.

I was reconciled to God, but I lacked the discipleship and discipline needed for Christ to be formed in me, and I struggled for a couple of years to follow and obey.

Then God unlocked a passion for his Word as the source of truth for my life and a lifelong desire to understand his character. I spent the next two years in college unlearning and relearning what I believed about God, Jesus, the Bible, and living by faith. (Guided by the book, Search the Scriptures: A Three-Year Daily Devotional Guide to the Whole Bible.)

In college, I wondered what a lifetime of faith would be like. The last 45 years have been God building on that foundation through study, prayer, and the people whose lives I’ve been given to share.

My Conviction: Co-creator and Entrepreneur

My second calling is a conviction to be a co-creator with God and an entrepreneur. I grew up surrounded by art and craft—antique clocks, stained glass, fine woodworking, and music.

My father was a business owner and craftsman, and my mother was his lifelong partner in life and business. My grandmother encouraged me to draw, and I learned to play violin, bass, and guitar.

In our basement, my father restored antique clocks to their original glory, maintained a dozen aquariums, and built a slot-car track; it was there that I learned how to cut gemstones, create stained glass, and appreciate the highest level of craftsmanship.

One day, I found a box of pens, a bottle of ink, and a Speedball book on drawing letterforms, and that small discovery set a direction I couldn’t have predicted. Seven years after that first discovery, I asked the Lord to confirm my path through a design competition, and when a letter and a check arrived saying I’d won, it felt like a thin fleece—but it was enough for me then.

I went on to earn a BFA with a minor in Design from Bowling Green State University, and since then, creating has never been just a job; if I’m not creating, I’m complacent, and I believe design can make everything better.

Early in my career, I studied with leading lettering artists and calligraphers in the U.S. and abroad, and my first decade as a design professional laid the foundation for the next 30 years.

Today, Lisa and I own Aespire, a design and marketing agency that has opened doors to ministry and impact beyond anything we could have asked or imagined, and we have operated as a mission- and ministry-driven business for three decades.

Psalm 37:23 says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

I return to this verse as I reflect on what I might have done differently and on what God has made possible through the gifts he’s given me.

My obsession with the Bible, words, and letterforms led to a small place in the history of Bible design. I may be the only person here whose name is in the Bible, where I get credit for the fonts I designed:

• I designed my first Bible font family, Veritas, to make two-column Bibles easier to read. Veritas was used in the ESV and is still used in The Readable Bible and a Creole Bible for ministry in Haiti.

• In 2006, Tyndale Publishing commissioned me to design a custom Bible font for the New Living Translation. Veritas became Lucerna, still used in the Life Application Bible, Tyndale’s Life Application Chronological Bible, and the NLT Giant Print.

• Aespire helped resurrect the GOD’S WORD Translation Bible by creating new designs and sales channels.

Our business is also where my love of reading unlocked the gift of writing:

• I’ve self-published seven books so far—with more planned. (If you’ve read any of them, share a review!)

• I founded EntreWorship, an online journal of working by faith.

• That writing opened the door to contribute content for YouVersion in the Bible app. Three of my Bible plans are available there, with another in progress.

• Aespire served over 200 clients over the last three decades. We helped nonprofits raise millions of dollars, equipped businesses to sustain billion-dollar growth, and empowered authors and influencers.

In mid-2025, the Lord presented me with an opportunity to join a longtime client, Gorjanc Home Services, as their full-time marketing director.

My Commitment to My Amazing Wife

My third calling is my commitment to my wife, Lisa. We’ve been married 41 years—about two-thirds of my life. I can’t imagine life without her!

We’ve been blessed with a life partner, business partner, travel partner, and ministry partner in each other. We’ve led small groups together and supported one another as our gifts serve the body of Christ. We’re equal partners in everything.

And if you notice we occasionally disappear, it’s usually because we’re visiting our children.

• Our son and daughter-in-law live in the south and are raising their adopted son.

• Our daughter Alyssa is married to a godly Salvadoran man and serves as a missionary in La Libertad, El Salvador. We’re grateful that our church chose to partner with her and the ministry she serves. (The ministry can always use your support as well!)

I also believe, “What is ordinary about you should unleash the extraordinary in others.”

It’s simple. It’s profound. It calls us to think about everything through somebody else’s eyes. It reminds me of Derek Sivers’ insight from the book “Hell Yeah or No,” and this article, Obvious to you. Amazing to others.

God promises in Psalm 37:23–24:

“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.”

Each strand of my story has its ups and downs, successes and failures.

• For every failure, I can only point to God’s unfailing love, forgiveness, and grace.

• For every accomplishment, I can only point to his ability to work with the little I offer—and his faithfulness to his purposes.

The strands are wound together in the family we raised, the talents and gifts God gave me for his glory, and the business Lisa and I have stewarded for the last 30 years.

God continues to teach me to serve him wholeheartedly, stay focused on him, and not squander my inheritance.

The story isn’t finished. I’m still a sinner by nature and by choice—but I’m also God’s adopted child by grace and his invitation. I will always be the son who came to his senses and returned home to his Father.

This article contains affiliate links. After all, it’s a creator capitalist economy.

At first glance, entrepreneurship is all about fast growth and quick returns.

That’s fine for venture capitalists, vibe coders, and short-term thinkers. For them, it’s all about the sprint.

Maybe you went to a good college, earned strong grades, and built a solid network of connections. For most of us, we might not have an idea that launches us to instant fame or puts us on the cover of Fast Company or Entrepreneur. We may not see quick success in our business.

But is that enough?

A business consultant once told me, “You know, you’re not the smartest, but you’ll outwork everybody else.”

I don’t agree with his first point, but I do see some truth in the second. Endurance isn’t always about coming in first. It’s about sticking with it and enjoying the process.

To win, we need to focus on endurance and stay alert for opportunities.

Life is a marathon. We run to win, always aiming to finish strong.

A colleague who recently started a business told me, “This is hard. I’m doing everything—sales, scheduling, programming, and more. I want to work on the business, not in it.” He took a big risk by buying a radio station in a small market, so he really has to hustle.

But isn’t that what makes ownership exciting and rewarding? If entrepreneurship were easy, everyone would do it.

Hustling doesn’t mean working all the time. It means working hard, staying patient, and moving with purpose to reach your vision. It means resting when you’re wired for work.

Your vision is what success looks like to you in the future—it’s the prize you’re aiming for.

The apostle Paul talks about running and racing to win. While we all want to win, the longest races take endurance, discipline, and self-control.

You’ll have to take risks, but it’s not about gambling on long shots. It’s about playing for the long term. God cares about eternity and lasting impact, and he also cares about your needs right now.

Maybe we’re not the smartest. But when we keep going and finish the race, we’ll win.

Will you join me?

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Follow me on YouVersion, the Bible app, to get early access to new Bible plans. Read Essential and Unshakable: Offering Your Work as Worship, the new 30-day devotional to help you discover God's purpose in your work.

“What has brought you the greatest joy in ministry over the last year?”

It’s a good question. For some people, it’s even a great one.

I was the one who stumbled.

Maybe it’s because I’m careful not to fit my life into someone else’s mold, or because I don’t see what I do as ministry.

Still, I couldn’t find any joy in answering that question. I don’t view life through a ministry lens as many of those around me do.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

I find joy in serving. Does it have to be called ministry? Would I be more blessed if it were? Would my joy be any greater?

Serving brings me joy. Being forced to serve in a way that doesn’t fit me demotivates me. (Hey, I’m being honest.)

Writing for you is less joyful when I can’t keep up with my monthly goal or when my ideas don’t feel fresh. I know I should manage my own expectations instead of trying to meet what I think others expect from me.

You can’t give to others if you aren’t being filled yourself. You can’t keep serving without taking time to be restored.

“And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

It’s arrogant for me to think that just because I don’t believe what I do to be a ministry, other people don’t see it differently.

Every Christ-follower has a ministry, even if they don’t realize it. My ministry comes from my creativity. I serve by creating, working, and writing.

So, what brings me joy in serving?

I write and create because I want you to find more joy in your relationship with God through your work, and to point you to Christ through what I do.

When people like you read what I write, you often tell me, “You ministered to me.”

When you respond and share how my work has impacted you, that brings me joy.

We often search for the joy God gives, but maybe we should accept the joy He gives us when what we offer brings joy to others.

What has brought you the most joy in serving or in ministry this past year?

It’s a great question. I hope you can answer it.

Verses from James 12: 1-2, NLT.

Our identity is often connected to our actions. Everyone needs time to rest, have fun, and work. Maybe work/life balance is not as clear-cut as it seems.

Do you ever feel like your job shapes your identity?

No matter what you do at work, at home, or at church, your true identity is found in Christ Jesus.

When Paul, who wrote many books of the Bible, talks about being “united in Christ” in Ephesians 1, he means more than just being adopted as God’s children or joining Jews and Gentiles into one body with Christ as the head.

Paul also affirms that each of us is made whole. If you are reconciled to God, you are fully redeemed as one person. If you are reconciled to God, you are one person, wholly redeemed.

There is no divide. Above all, we are followers of Christ. We are also entrepreneurs, church members, and unique individuals.

Wherever we go, we are ambassadors for Christ, for the organizations we represent, and for the families we lead.

Francis Schaeffer wrote in Art & the Bible:

“What is the place of art in the Christian life? Is art—especially the fine arts—simply a way to bring worldliness in through the back door? What about sculpture or drama, music or painting? Do these have any place in the Christian life? Shouldn't a Christian focus his gaze steadily on "religious things" alone and forget about art and culture?

As evangelical Christians, we have tended to relegate art to the very fringe of life. The rest of human life we feel is more important.

Despite our constant talk about the lordship of Christ, we have narrowed its scope to a very small area of reality. We have misunderstood the concept of the lordship of Christ over the whole man and the whole of the universe and have not taken to us the riches that the Bible gives us for ourselves, for our lives, and for our culture.

The lordship of Christ over the whole of life means that there are no platonic areas in Christianity, no dichotomy or hierarchy between the body and the soul. God made the body as well as the soul, and redemption is for the whole man.”

Trying to keep up with different identities can be exhausting. Our work is part of our Christian life, not something apart from it.

Photo: Matthew Henry

Are you a rule-follower, a rule-bender, or a rule-breaker at heart—and what is it costing your leadership?

Do you naturally play it safe and comply, or do you find yourself resisting and leaning toward the contrarian side?

Do you feel most alive when you’re following a clear plan—or when you’re the one creating the plan, taking charge, and inviting others to follow your lead?

Do you think inside the box, work outside the box, or quietly wonder whether the box should exist in the first place?

As a Christ-following entrepreneur, how do you resolve the very real tension between leading boldly and humbly following the One who leads you?

Entrepreneur.com often revisits the question, “What are the traits of successful entrepreneurs?” Different experts offer different lists: determined, risk-taker, confident, learner. After a while, it all starts to sound the same.

Yet there is solid research behind the traits of entrepreneurs and those who think like them. People best suited for entrepreneurship often show resilience, tenacity, passion, comfort with uncertainty, vision, self-confidence, flexibility, curiosity, and risk tolerance.

Being an entrepreneur is about seeing the world differently and choosing a path that most people would never consider.

If you’re like me, you probably don’t like asking for help and prefer to solve problems on your own—even when you know that’s not always the best approach.

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Entrepreneurs naturally think differently. We value independence, question the status quo, and constantly look for better ways to do things. That’s how we get things done, innovate, and hope to make a lasting difference—but it can also make us resistant to following anyone’s lead, even God’s.

Here’s the challenge: before we can lead well, we have to learn how to follow well—and if we’re honest, sometimes we’d rather lead from the front than follow from our knees.

As a Christian entrepreneur, it can be hard to truly answer Christ’s call to “Follow me.” Throughout my career, I’ve wanted a mentor, paid for coaching, and joined groups of business leaders to find people who understand me—yet I’ve learned that no human guide can replace the voice of the Shepherd.

Our stubbornness often hides as pride. We want to lead, not follow. We’re convinced there’s a better way, so we push to make it happen on our own terms—and exhaust ourselves trying to build our vision without the help of the Great Architect of Creation.

The best leaders begin as faithful followers. Jesus followed his Father’s will and was obedient to the end. It’s easy to talk about his obedience; it’s much harder to live it in the boardroom, the budget, and in our everyday decisions. That kind of obedience requires submission, discipline, and deep, daily commitment.

Before you chase another mentor, hire another coach, or join another group, follow the Shepherd first. God has already given you everything you need to run your business, solve problems, and make a difference. Let him help you. Don’t let stubbornness—or fear of surrender—hold you back.

Psalm 37:5 reminds us to commit everything to him—not just our personal lives, but our strategies, goals, clients, and teams. When we trust him, he promises to help us.

We often believe we’re more sophisticated and smarter than we really are. We may work hard and be gifted, but we are still God’s children—and he is the one who calls, equips, and ultimately measures our success.

A truly good leader is never afraid to be a faithful follower—especially when following Christ means leading differently, building differently, and trusting him with the results.

At the outset of creation, God gave humanity the gift of work.

This is not the same as saying we need a job. Eden was just the beginning.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Genesis 2:15

At the outset of the Bible, God gave man the gift of work.

Four implications for our work:

1. Work is a good thing. 

Work is inherently good, not bad. It is not a result of sin. It is not a consequence of the Fall or the curse. It is not a necessary evil. Work was created before the Fall and given to man as a gift.

God himself works.

2. You are designed for work. 
In Genesis 2:2-3, we see that we are designed for Sabbath rest. In Genesis 2:15-17, we see that we are designed for work. We are designed by God to live in the rhythm of work and rest.

Because we are image bearers of a God who works, we too must work as part of our humanness. In fact, without meaningful work, we are not fully alive. We need to work.

This is not the same as saying we need a job. We don’t need a job to be fully human, but we do need work, whether this work is housework, school work, volunteer work, or job work.

The opportunity to work is a gift from God, and your work matters to him.

Are you flourishing at what you do?

3. Your work matters to God.

Does work matter to God?

Yes, it does. God cared about Adam’s work, and he cares about your work. It may seem mundane to you, but it matters. It matters to God.

He wants your work to be meaningful, not a source of frustration or drudgery. It could be that you are doing work that does not fit you. If that is the case, ask God to give you work, whether a job or volunteer work, that fits who you are, that fits your passions and wiring.

John Eldredge’s counsel in Wild at Heart: Do what makes you come alive.

4. Do your work for God’s glory

Transform your work into worship. How does that happen? By doing your work for God. Whatever we do for God, for God’s honor and God’s pleasure, becomes an act of sacred worship.

It is significant that the two verbs in verse 15 ( work and take care of ) are also the two main Hebrew verbs for spiritual service to God. The word “work” is often used in reference to serving God, and the phrase “take care of” is used to keep the commandments.

God is suggesting that the whole point of Adam’s work is not gardening but serving God. Gardening was simply the way Adam served God, but the point is worship, not gardening. “It’s all about you, Lord. It’s all about you.”

Is your work all about Jesus? Or is it about a paycheck?

There is a wonderful story about work as worship. My mentor in seminary, Dr. Howard Hendricks, tells of being on an American Airlines flight that was delayed for six hours out of Dallas. Passengers were irate, and one man was especially difficult. Finally,

Hendricks goes back to the galley to commend the flight attendant. “I have been extremely impressed with the way you handled this difficult passenger. Could I have your name so I can write the company you work for?”

She replied, “Sir, thank you very much but you should know that I do not work for American Airlines.” (Long pause. Hendricks wondered if he was on the right airline. Then she finished.) “Sir, I work for Jesus Christ.”

Ahh, a worshiper!

This is the way God designed us to work.

Whom do you work for?

This week’s post is from Jeff Wells, author and pastor of WoodsEdge Community Church. I once ran a few miles with Jeff Wells in Oregon.

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Our photo: On nearly every street in Spain, you’ll find men and women working. Selling food, busking, hustling. In the summer, it’s hot, in the winter, it’s freezing. It’s no Eden.

When you work by faith, you spend every moment stewarding your time, talent, and treasure for God’s glory.

Yet how often do you think about stewarding your testimony? “Testimony” is another word for story, and your story matters more than you think.

Not the polished, sanitized version you rehearse for networking events.

The real one.

• The story you tell yourself when you’re alone on a sea of doubt, navigating the tension between kingdom values and profit margins.

• When wisdom guides you through the defining moment when your faith collides with a business decision.

• In those daily moments when people observe how you handle pressure.

Your testimony isn’t just what happened to you.

It’s what you’ve allowed God to do through your life’s successes, failures, and renewal. The peaks and valleys in your life become a pattern of faithfulness that you can look back on, and others can recognize in their own journey.

Who’s watching to see if this “faith in business” thing actually holds up when the deal falls through, the partnership dissolves, or they overhear how you respond during a difficult conversation?

The Apostle Paul, a man who devoted his life to telling people to be reconciled to God, encouraged the people he shared truth with to “walk worthy” and live in a way that reflects what they believe.

Make your story worth telling. Shape it, share it, and guard it without the pressure to make it sound more impressive than it is. Your story is not for you to tell; it’s for others to share because they see God’s light in you.

The rough edges are often where the light gets in and where others find the courage to keep going.

What’s one part of your professional story you’ve been hesitant to steward because it felt too ordinary or too messy? Take 2 minutes right now to jot it down—no editing, just honesty.

I’m interested in many things, and sometimes I’ll fixate on them for a long time. Looking back, that’s fine for hobbies; it’s costly in business.

In the design field, we call this “multi-disciplinary,” if only to convince ourselves and those who love us that we have good intentions. As a design professional who began his career as a generalist, understanding how to solve problems with design thinking has served me well for four decades.

Maybe you’ve worn too many hats. Perhaps you feel your life and career pulling in ten directions, or you’re wondering if the next opportunity that comes your way is an exit or an onramp. If so, this is for you.

We have more opportunities than ever to create value, generate wealth, and make an impact, which makes it even harder to stay focused on where to invest your time, talent, treasure, and trust.

• Focus keeps you aligned with your goals, your path, and your mission.

• Focus comes from having a clear purpose: keeping your eyes fixed on a clear vision of your destination, and avoiding the distraction of other good—even great—things that demand your attention or appeal to you.

• Focus is where your time and attention are centered. You lose focus when you take your eyes off the goal you want to attain or the prize you hope to gain.

Imagine you’re already doing significant work in your current role, and an offer comes along with more responsibility in a larger market. Along with it come more perks: higher pay, greater recognition, and more status.

• Will you be able to maintain the same level of focus and clarity of vision if you accept it?

• Will it concentrate or dilute your impact?

• Will it build upon or break the momentum in your life?

• Does it align with your “where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet”?

These are ‘best vs. best’ decisions that require more than quick logic. They are defining choices that demand prayerful discernment.

If you approach defining decisions with the same casual disregard as a daily choice, you might end up on the wrong path or in a place where you can’t flourish in the next season of life.

Choosing Between Best and Best

My father often reminded me, “Sometimes you must choose between best and best, not just better and best.” Defining decisions requires much prayer.

There are many ways you can grow your business, expand your influence, and increase your opportunities. You can’t pursue every one of them. Possibility is the intersection of many roads; opportunity is the one you choose to take to reach your destination.

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You will lose focus if you keep your eyes on the finish line rather than on the road ahead.

Strategy has to come before action; training before the race. Know what end you have in mind (write it down!), and focus your time and attention on what it will take to get you there.

To make an impact on others’ lives, you must eliminate distractions that keep you from staying focused on what you do best. All things are possible; it’s focus that removes distractions and enables you to move toward your goal.

The problem is that we’re restless. We’re always looking for what’s next. A clear vision and disciplined focus lead to contentment.

Without focus, opportunities become distractions. A career change or business opportunity might appeal to you, but is it right for you? Eliminate possibilities that may be good to focus on the significant opportunities.

Without focus, your endurance is unsustainable. When you become unfocused, you may not finish strong.

The author of Hebrews encourages all of us to “Strip off every weight that slows us down… let us run with endurance.” (Hebrews 12). Vision, strategy, and focus are part of the training that keeps you in the race for the long term.

How? By keeping your eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Asking Him to direct your steps; maintain your focus; guard your steps; protect your margins. Allow him to direct your time, talent, treasure, and trust.

Do you want to finish well?

What opportunities are in front of you that require more prayer so you can discern what’s best? This week, write down three ‘good’ possibilities you will lay aside and pray about so you can focus on life-changing opportunities for the current and following season of your life.

Hey – if you’re reading this, I need your help. Please share this post, comment, or subscribe (if you haven’t already). It’s readers like you who make EntreWorship worth writing for.

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When people hear that, they often ask what’s kept us together through three decades of business changes, raising kids, and life’s inevitable challenges.

The answer is more straightforward than most expect.

It’s not realistic to distill 40 years of marriage into a 12-step program, but we’ve learned and practiced a few things along the way that help us have fun, enjoy life, and make an impact.

It’s a choice we make daily. It’s something Lisa has to remind me of more than I have to remind her. When I’m discouraged, when the business needs to change direction, when we face defining decisions, Lisa looks at me and asks, “What’s our word?”

And we say: Together.

And yet, that’s not all. My wife and I had the privilege of an impromptu conversation with Jay Owen at the 2025 Agency Builders retreat. Several people said it was the best session of the event. I give all the credit to Lisa.

These are the highlights of our discussion:

Faith is Our Foundation

• Faith is our Anchor: Our trust in Jesus and reliance on the Bible’s teaching guides us in making simple and complex life and business decisions. It helps us align our time, talents, and treasure with God’s plan and purpose.

• Marriage First: Our marriage is first and foremost. Children and business are the result of a strong relationship, not the reason for it.

• The “Together” Principle: We’re committed to being a team. When challenges arise, we face and overcome them together.

• Reinvent Together: We’ve learned that both business and life require reinvention. The key is to navigate the twists and turns of life together, not separately.

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First Things First

• Honor Each Other: We focus on understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Lisa’s strengths (like encouragement and administration) complement my weaknesses, and vice versa.

• Prioritize Your Marriage: We regularly schedule time for each other, like regular date nights, to protect our relationship from the demands of business and family life.

• Create Transition Rituals: Being married and owning a business can make for a work/life blender. You can establish clear boundaries between work and home life. A symbolic “drive home,” even when working from home, helps me be fully present when I’m with my spouse and family. Don’t expect your spouse to guess what you need. If you need time to decompress after a long day of work, ask for it.

• Listen More, Solve Less: Men, it took me decades to learn this. Understand that sometimes your wife needs you to listen and empathize, not immediately provide a solution. Ask if she wants you to listen to her or solve the problem. Thank me in the comments below.

We’re Together and Content in All Things

• Plan Your Family Life Better than Your Business: We’ve tried to apply intentionality and planning to our marriage and family as we did with our business. I think this is one of the most challenging aspects of “being married to the business.” I remind myself often to keep my priorities in order.

• Build a Shared Legacy: We’ve aligned our family, financial, and business goals with a greater purpose that we both believe in. I think we’re turning success into something more significant.

• Prepare for New Seasons: This is so important as you get older. Kids move out, parents age, your business will change. Consciously prepare for life transitions, like the “empty nest,” by keeping your relationship strong so your identity isn’t tied solely to parenting or your role in the business.

• View Life as a Marathon: Pursue slow, steady, and consistent effort over unsustainable sprints. Longevity in both marriage and business requires an endurance, trust, and devotion mindset.

At the end of the day, we’re stronger together. You can be too!

We’re praying that you can experience all the joy and blessings that God desires for you in your marriage, relationships, and business.

I read a post on X recently that bothered me. It shouldn’t, but even without the writer's context, it still seems weak.

“Christian, you don’t have to be good at stuff. You don’t need to change the world, be the best, build a platform, win the prize, prove your worth, catch your dreams, or live a life that’s remembered.”

I have to push back on that (big surprise, eh?), so I wrote:

Christian, you’re called to be good at stuff. You’re called to excellence.

You’re called to pursue that which is true, good, and beautiful.

Build things. Strive to be the best at whatever you do.

No, you don’t need to prove your worth. Neither are you to settle for what’s available and accept mediocrity.

But why not work in partnership with God to renew and redeem what is before you? Why not build a platform? Why not chase dreams?

You don’t have to do any of these things.

Thanks to God’s amazing gift of grace, you get to. You’ve been given everything you need to live a godly life. Live a life worth living.

We’re called to partnership with God, using the gifts he’s given us. Being a creative professional, entrepreneur, or business owner isn’t about proving anything to GOd. Our worth isn’t on the line. But our calling is real, and it matters.

We are called to create because we are children of the Creator. That changes how we live. It’s not about chasing headlines or building platforms for their own sake. It’s about understanding that the work we do — the businesses we build, the art we make, the problems we solve — can be a response to God’s prompting in our lives.

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Let’s reframe how you think about your call to excellence. Your work can be a joyful act of worship; the marketplace can be an opportunity to honor Jesus through what you do, how you serve others, and how you steward your gifts, skills, and talents.

Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, creating something new, or solving problems, it’s all part of your faith in action. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 says:

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Because you’re enabled and empowered to accomplish all the good things, Jesus is honored.

On one hand, then, the statement is true: You don’t need to change the world, be the best, build a platform, win the prize, catch your dreams, or live a life that’s remembered.

But why wouldn’t you try? Our generous God gave you gifts, talent, and resources. You have everything you need.

Don’t settle for mediocrity. Don’t accept what’s just available. Build something worth building. Create something that reflects who God is. Work with excellence. Your work is valuable and significant.

That’s not pride. It’s worship. It’s faithfulness.

Don’t hesitate to live a life that’s remembered, not for your sake, but because your work, your integrity, and your faith make a significant difference in people’s lives and bring glory to God. Live so God can point to you in the future as an example of the “Incredible wealth of his grace and kindess” toward you.

That’s the invitation and the calling. That’s what it looks like to follow Christ in the marketplace.

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A new photo from my travel library greets me every morning when I walk into our living room. This morning, it was the ceiling of the Basilica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona. It’s stunning; I marveled at its elegance and beauty. Antoni Gaudí designed La Sagrada Basilica to lift your eyes to heaven and to God.

When was the last time the ceiling in your church attracted your attention because of its beautiful design?

Which leads me to ask: Why do we settle for surroundings that are dull, utilitarian, and uninspiring?

In a culture intent on elevating immorality, lies, and ugliness, we need goodness, truth, and beauty more than ever. We need beauty in our homes, at work, and in the church. We need to move beyond interior decoration and be reminded that art can make us think, wonder, and transcend.

A few years ago, a college friend and pastor asked for my input on how art can inspire, encourage, and challenge believers in the local church. Here’s his initial question:

“The church is in a 10-year-old metal building. Everything’s gray! I’m working on bringing some color into the building. Over the last few years, I have become much more sensitive to how art can inspire and encourage, not to speak of how art can challenge and “preach.” But in wanting to bring art — i.e., painting, sculpture, etc. — into the church, I’m at a loss about how to begin developing a plan for it or to make financial provision for it. Looking for guidance…”

One reason churches lack much art is that the Western Church largely abandoned the arts long ago, replacing artistic depth with sentimentality.

If art of any kind couldn’t be used for Sunday school or evangelism, it was considered unworthy and largely overlooked. Many churches design complex graphic and environmental themes to enhance sermon series and worship ”experiences” and call it “worship arts.” Religious theatre is no replacement for the arts in our lives—in our churches, our homes, and our spirits.

I found these books instrumental in developing a biblical mindset about art.

• HR Rookmaker’s “Art Needs No Justification” (amzn.to/3JBNIhh) is an excellent treatise on how the Church (and Christians) have lowered their aesthetic standards and failed to engage with contemporary culture meaningfully, often preferring to imitate rather than be original.

• Francis Schaeffer’s “Art and the Bible” (amzn.to/49thkIj) is an excellent work. One of the most important and concise works on art ever written.

• Find current books on art and Christian faith at Square Halo Books. I recommend “It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God” (www.squarehalobooks.com/#/it-was-good-art/).

You can rent collections of visual art from my colleague and client, Sandra Bowden, via the Bowden Collection.

Follow Protestia on X to see how some congregations turn church into theatre.

Fill Your Space with Light

When I originally wrote this, my office was in a building with battleship gray beams and tinted glass. Were it not for the light, it would be thoroughly depressing.

Whether it’s a church or a business, your environment and your existing architecture can be treated as art.

• Starting with color is a good place to start. It doesn’t need to, but as a metaphor, color can speak to the beauty of grace and God’s revealing work in our lives.

• A central panel covered in vibrant red can be a focal point that draws the attention of the church family and visitors to the sacrifice of Christ’s blood.

• Avoid kitschy references to any evangelism tools. Remember, art needs no justification.

Too many churches try to appear so polished and perfect that their environment becomes a stage for a production and an entertainment venue — a whitewashed imitation of what the Church should be. Art should be authentic, not trite. The environment in your church has the potential to be a work of spatial art. It’s architecture. If it’s metal and industrial, don’t try to hide it; accentuate it with bold color. If it’s warm woods and light, add some color.

What can you do with light, especially natural light? I am puzzled by churches that darken their worship spaces. We worship a God of light! Why do we gather in darkness? Light fosters relationships among familiar friends and visitors; it also allows us to read the Word while it is being preached.

Art is for (God’s) glory and for beauty. God told Moses that he had filled Bezalel with his Spirit to create works of art for the tabernacle. In Exodus, the art of the tabernacle was designed to enhance the place where God lived among his people.

Why not surround yourself with beauty that reminds you of God’s presence?

Bonus idea:

One simple art idea is to mount a series of circular mirrors. Choose a series of words such as Redeemed, Forgiven, and Adopted. Cut these words in frosted vinyl and mount them on the mirror. Mount the mirrors and invite people to look into the mirrors and reflect on their current — or future — identity in Christ.

If you’ve read this far, do me a favor and buy a copy of Essential: A 30-Day Devotional for Faith-Driven Professionals to give away, or join me in reading Essential and Unshakable on the Bible app.

Three Change Principles

Vision, commitment, and training represent what leaders do to create change.

If we’re going to be effective in our roles as leaders and team members, we need to be aware of three change principles:

• Action— A vision and focus for a different future

• Commitment to sustain our focus

• Training to equip and prepare us.

It sounds simple. Leaders are most effective when they cast a vision about where they’re leading, what they expect, and what they want to accomplish. Teams perform best when they understand where they’re going, why it matters, and what they must do along the way.

Is the framework perfect yet? Probably not. Bear with me.

Three Characteristics of a Future-Focused Leader

I originally wrote about these three characteristics in The Society of Extraordinary Strategists Substack:

These three principles represent how leaders think across time. Future-focused leaders

• Learn from hindsight

• Guide with insight, and

• Lead with foresight

Together, they integrate thinking with doing. Sustainable change is influenced by how a leader thinks over time (looking back, now, and ahead) and acts to spark change (dreaming big, sticking to it, and building skills). Think of it as a Think x Act Matrix.

A Think x Act Matrix could look like this:

That version is a bit stiff at this point; here’s where I’m going with it. The rows show how you think about time. The columns (Actions) show what you do to push ahead and create change and a different future.

That’s it for now. Try it, apply it, and let me know if it works for you.

Thanks for being a subscriber and for joining me on this journey! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this framework; don’t be shy.

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John MacArthur’s ministry ended in July 2025.

After Charlie Kirk’s murder, many people are asking, “Who will replace Charlie?”

Just a few days ago, Voddie Baucham, Jr., entered into glory. Who will rise and stand in for Voddie?

It’s always been this way. The Israelites probably wondered, “Who will replace Moses?”

Then, God called Joshua.

Whether it’s the ministry or business, the Lord has a succession plan in mind.

We can’t see everything that God is doing. We can’t understand his ways or his thinking. Even as it seems He is calling people home, He is training and raising new warriors and ambassadors for His purposes.

He has allowed us to remain. We are those he has chosen to stand in the gap, lead His people, and serve his purpose.

You are the one whom God calls to step up, be courageous, and lead.

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I pray you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. It’s the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

“It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27 (New Living Translation 2nd Ed.)

Ignore the mob that wants to destroy everything good, true, and beautiful.

Keep your eyes on the invisible one.

Follow our Lord even when the sea hides the path. Be strong and courageous.

Courage is a choice, not a calling.

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The resurrection sounds improbable to many people today.

“Only 500.”

The Bible doesn’t say that’s all who saw Jesus; it simply says that 500 saw him at one time. It’s compelling proof; how many events have over 500 witnesses? All were verified witnesses, yet over 2,000 years later, many do not believe.

Can we trust a witness we have never met? We’re drawn to what we can touch and see to verify what we believe to be true. Our faith strengthens when we can touch, see, and understand the mysterious to testify to its improbability.

Yet Jesus said, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who haven’t seen me and believe anyway.” John 20:29 (NLT)

We must separate tradition and sentimental thinking from truth and facts in every aspect of faith and business.

What you can touch and see may not be true; what you believe may be based on the weight of tradition. Tradition and sentimental thinking that outweigh the weight of truth are misleading and create false perceptions.

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If we are to work and walk by faith, we can’t believe something is true because tradition says it’s true. Our sole source of truth is the Bible, and we look to archeology and history to verify what the Bible claims to be true.

This same principle of verification applies everywhere we ask people to trust us. What’s true for the Gospel is also true for your business.

In business, we expect people to believe what we say about our company, whether true or not. Making a claim is called branding, and sharing that claim with people is called marketing. Every day, people who follow us look to us to invite them into a story in which they are the hero; a guide who helps them solve their problems so they can live a better life.

Every day, you ask people (customers, followers, supporters) to reconcile what you say is true about your business with what they believe is true. That makes building a brand, communications, and marketing complex.

People will believe what your brand says to be true if what they see, touch, and experience aligns with your claims.

Can you see the correlation between your faith and building a brand? Just as the 500 witnesses provided credible testimony about the resurrection, your customers become witnesses to your brand’s truth. The early church grew not because of clever marketing, but because people’s lives were transformed. When your business consistently delivers real value, your customers become authentic witnesses of the same kind.

People want to know if your brand will act in alignment with what you say it values and believes. It is believable when your brand is trustworthy, transparent, and authentic. This is true for companies, causes, and churches.

Because our financial advisor is genuinely interested in our success, my wife continually asks him, “Are you for reals?” She believes what he says is true because he consistently and reliably demonstrates it.

Your faith is believable when your life is consistent with what you say you believe about the Gospel.

Will the next 500 people who learn about your business believe your brand is relevant based on the witness of five, 50, or 500 customers?

Will they say, “Are you for reals?” When they do, you can be confident that you are building a brand that loves people and a brand that people love.

Like those 500 who witnessed the risen Christ, your satisfied customers become living proof that what you claim is true.

I haven’t been ignoring you or God’s Word. I haven’t made time to write for EntreWorship while I worked on my next business book.

But then I received this partner email from YouVersion:

Wow—your Bible Plans have now been completed over 10,000 times in the Bible App!

That’s 10,000 moments with God’s Word—made possible through your content.

Your faithfulness is helping people draw closer to Him every single day.

Thank you for being a part of the mission.

We’re so grateful to Partner with you in this work. Here’s to more lives being touched by God’s Word!

Most authors don’t make any money from publishing a book. Books are valuable tools for spreading ideas. However, if the book isn’t selling, the ideas won’t spread.

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You probably weren’t even aware (or care) that I publish Bible plans in the YouVersion app. Coincidentally — or providentially (likely the latter) — the Lord gave me an idea prior to receiving that email.

“Give your content away.”

We’ll be releasing a new 30-day plan in a few weeks that feels like it’s right for the times. If you’re a YouVersion (the Bible app) user, follow me there. You’ll be the first to know when my new plans are published.

Thanks for following and supporting me on our journey to experiencing the joy of work and worship.

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