The Importance of History for Faith Driven Entrepreneurs

— by Amanda Lawson

What comes first, the entrepreneur’s idea or the moment that sets the stage for action? 

I once had to review a book about the history of the ice industry. I struggled to imagine what could possibly be worth knowing about the entrepreneurial narrative of ice. But it was actually one of my favorite books I’ve reviewed. 

Think about the genius here: man was able to take a substance that existed abundantly and freely in nature and find a way to convince people to pay for it. Of course, there were innovative processes and products connected to the ice industry—refrigeration in homes, shipping methods that enabled products to travel long distances without spoiling, and water purification systems that led to the uniquely American habit of drinking beverages with ice in them. It was a strangely fascinating story of innovation and entrepreneurial supply chain thinking. 

But the author also connected the entrepreneurial moments of the ice industry to important periods of history, where the culture influenced industry and vice versa. 

We love stories of entrepreneurial ventures that changed the world: narratives of underdogs becoming CEOs, brilliant young people in rural communities whose inventions go on to save lives, businesses dedicated to a mission greater than a bottom line. They inspire and educate on every level. But those stories don’t happen in a vacuum; they happen in unique points in time, cultural moments that bolster the tales of overcome obstacles and seemingly supernatural coincidences. 

So, what would it look like to marry, or rather, recognize the marriage of, history and entrepreneurship? 

For faith driven entrepreneurs, it’s a short line between historical context and entrepreneurial action. Nearly every practitioner will point to a moment where God called them to their work, often referring to the call as one to join in what the Lord is already doing. Knowing what the Lord is and has been doing is a matter of history. This is the practice of recognizing that the work we do is built on the shoulders of generations of laborers who came before—and it’s knowing that those after us will do the same. God is a God of generations, those that are, those that were, and those that are yet to come. 

This is more than understanding context. That may be step one, but what we’re talking about here is an attempt to grasp the magnitude of the faith driven entrepreneur movement by looking backwards. After all, if it is truly a movement rather than a moment, where we are is different than where we were and from where we intend to go—bestowing upon us all the glorious weight of making history for future generations. 

It’s a common, albeit questionable, phrase: “Those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it.” But learning history is less about not repeating past mistakes; it’s much more about understanding the incredible story God has been writing—a story in which we are fortunate enough to be one small chapter.

Recent articles

——

[ Photo by Photography Maghradze PH from Pexels ]