Faithful to the Grind When You Know You're Meant for More
— by Amanda Lawson
Before David ever met Goliath, he had a reputation…for being a harpist. It’s a beautiful skill, developed by consistent practice, but not overly powerful or commanding, and certainly not the typical hobby of a mighty warrior. Nevertheless, there is much to learn from the harp-playing shepherd-phase of David’s life.
When Samuel arrived at Jesse’s house to anoint one of his sons to be the future king, David was out in the field tending sheep. The youngest of seven brothers, the ruddy, handsome, lion-fighting harpist was not the typical front-runner for kingship. But we know the story, God doesn’t judge as man does; He looks at the heart, and David goes on to receive Samuel’s anointing.
But he doesn’t rush off to the palace to assume the highest position, he stays at his father’s house and continues to tend sheep.
Meanwhile, King Saul was struck with fits of rage and his attendants didn’t know what to do. One suggested finding a musician to play, hoping that the music would calm Saul’s torment. Taking the suggestion, another mentioned knowing of a young shepherd boy from Bethlehem who knew how to play the harp.
One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.” (1 Samuel 16:18)
The harp. His musical ability is what initially brought the future king to the palace. In addition, his willingness to serve bravely and his closeness to the Lord made him a perfect candidate to serve in the king’s court. It is only after that that David impresses the king and the rest of the nation by defeating Goliath, overtaking thousands of Philistines, and rising to be the prolific king after God’s own heart.
It amazes me that after being anointed to be the next king by the prophetic judge Samuel, David simply went back to the life he knew and waited for the right timing. He didn’t write to Samuel anxiously awaiting the day Samuel would forcibly remove Saul from the throne; he didn’t run to the palace and bust the door down to take what was his. He knew the anointing he carried and trusted that it would come to fruition in God’s timing. All he had to do was be faithful to what was in front of him.
So he tended sheep, he came to play the harp for the king, and when the time came, he stepped into battle. Where Saul’s fatal flaw was pride, David humbly served and exuded confidence in the promise of the Lord rather than his own ability.
It seems as though we should be more like David in our professional endeavors—trusting what we have been given and serving faithfully as we wait on the Lord’s timing. Rather than forcing our way in, rushing into ventures that may be “right” but in the wrong timing, what if we were willing to develop the skills we have in the opportunities we’ve been given, trusting that what the Lord says He will do, He will do—whether it is in our timing or not.
So maybe you are headed toward starting the next unicorn company, but right now the Lord has you tending the flock. Maybe you’re called to serve the boss that’s got a temper, and while you know you’re next in line for his job, you honor his leadership in the waiting. The question is, do you trust the Lord’s timing and are you willing to faithfully steward your present reality while you wait for where He might be taking you.
It seems that the way we serve matters at every level of our work. Being faithful in the humble stages, diligent in the waiting, and trusting in the Lord’s timing just may lead to the opportunity you’ve been longing for. But even if it doesn’t, if you never make it to the CEO’s office or break records with your P&L, working faithfully, humbly, and diligently will always honor the Lord and bring glory to the One who deserves it all anyway.
Recent articles
Many times, it seems that we reserve our most fervent prayers for our biggest problems that are not easily solved by our human efforts. It’s like prayer is our final go-to problem-solving tool when we are stuck with our backs against the wall.
As an entrepreneur and leader, people expect more from you. To make the difficult decisions, to set the right direction, and lead them to success.
As an entrepreneur, living a total quality life has to start with YOU to have an impact in your business.
"Are you a rich young ruler?" is a question every faith-driven leader must honestly assess if they are to lead an organization with faithful integrity in alignment with Biblical beliefs, principles, and priorities (what I will call business a better way).
With a deep-rooted identity in Christ, we can begin to find joy, inspiration, and meaning in whatever we do.
Creativity is something many of us do for free. Because we’re called to it. Explore how God’s creativity expresses itself through entrepreneurship.
As believers and business leaders, the curious question of artificial intelligence (AI) is one facing each of us. In what ways should we embrace this generational revolution? In what ways should we reject it?
Empathy requires vulnerability. Could I be brave enough to be vulnerable? If I wanted someone to rejoice or weep with me, I needed to let people know how I felt. Trust people with my emotions, needs, and mess.
Have you ever felt called to do something, and you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt it was God telling you to do it?
We are in the process of a tectonic transformation in the way we work and live – let’s rise to the challenge of using generative AI to speak and create life, rather than standing on the sidelines.
In Pierce Brantley's research, he's discovered that many well-meaning Christian business owners will get stuck at various stages of business without realizing it.
What 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Has to Say to Entrepreneurs about success and the love of money.
Do you feel unhappy at work? If so, listen to this real-life story of addiction, advice, and altered mindset.
Leaders understand that successful meetings result in learning, inspiration and alignment. If you want a successful outcome, you have to plan, prepare and execute when the day arrives. Here are a couple of ingredients we learned made the day truly significant…
A successful pharmaceutical entrepreneur shares his faith driven keys to success.
Entrepreneurship lessons from the owner of Tacos 4 Life, a mission-driven taco restaurant.
While others were making risky subprime loans, we rowed close to shore safely in the sight of land by adhering to time-tested safety and soundness principles. While others thought that maybe we had lost our way in a brave new world, we thought differently.
When I pray, am I trying to convince God to bless my business? Or am I asking God to lead and direct the business He had provided? The hard reality is that I sometimes ask God to bless the business plans I had established and thinking that was enough.
By leading with questions, we can represent the way of Jesus in everyday life and create a culture of curiosity, respect, and continuous improvement within our organizations.
How can we move from being a change loather to becoming a change lover? Here are three actions that have helped me as a faith-driven entrepreneur.
Bill Yoh offers ten ways that faith fuels who he is in secular work environments, influencing how he leads, how he drives culture, and how he lives his core values.
One entrepreneur shares how she embraces the marketplaces as her place of ministry and works excellently, generously, and kindly for the glory of God. It’s never too late for the people around us to hear the word of God.
“Selling my business and taking home $100M was the worst decision I ever made,” a well-known entrepreneur once said. I was floored. How could this be?
What does it look like to put God at the center of your business? When we see our workplace as an opportunity to bring hope and life to people that desperately need it, it changes everything. Our job is to live faithfully and obediently wherever He has placed us.
Let me introduce you to Tim. Tim was the ideal model for anyone asking how to be a great car salesman. And he exemplified the two traits I think all business people should have regardless of industry.
Every entrepreneur is custom-created for a purpose. But how, in a world so full of noise and distraction and fear, do we go about staying on (or getting on - let’s be honest) the road we’re called to travel?
We are facing a pandemic of not only mental illness (which is a severe problem) but also an even bigger one of mental wellness. How can soul care serve us in this arena?
At its best, business is both purposeful and profitable, dynamic and gainful, commercial and rewarding. Far from being opposites, good business and good behavior go hand-in-hand, and biblical principles can align with best practices.
If we don’t keep priorities straight, then the idolatry of work can slowly enmesh us. Our souls shrivel, and our perspectives fade as we shift from worshipping the Creator to worshipping the created. That’s when we become workaholics.
——
[ Photo by Biegun Wschodni on Unsplash ]
God wants a relationship with you, so it’s not just about solving problems! And, as you deepen your relationship with God through prayer, it becomes easier and easier to know His will for your life and your life and your entrepreneurship.