David Lee Martin

Passion is a phrase that’s bandied around in entrepreneurial circles.

Discover your passion.

Follow your passion.

Live your passion.

Profit from your passion.

Build a business around your passion.

I’ve spoken those cute-sounding phrases myself several times.

In conversation with a serial software and blogging success story, Dave Chesson, recently he mentioned how much he hated such enticing expressions. Passion, he reminded me, comes from Latin root pati-, meaning suffering, or enduring.

Passion: From Late Latin passionem (nominative passio) “suffering, enduring,” from past-participle stem of Latin pati “to endure, undergo, experience, that which must be endured.”

Mel Gibson did not title his blockbuster movie, “The Passion of the Christ”, for no reason.

It wasn’t called, “The excitement of the Christ” or “The Obsessive Hobby of the Christ”, “The Things That Christ Really Likes To Do”.

Just because you’re passionate about something doesn’t guarantee success. Excitement and enthusiasm alone will not cut the rug when the pressure is on. And just because you are passionate about something doesn’t necessarily mean you can build a successful business pursuing it.

Yet we hear it all the time.

Another turn of phrase that’s often heard…

“If I can do this, anyone can do it!”

On a purely practical level, this may be true. Sure, we can press the same sequence of buttons.

However, experience shows that one marketer might run a certain promotion, set up a sales funnel, or run a webinar series, with startling results. Another person then jumps in and turns all the same handles, presses all the same buttons, and even says the same words, with decidedly different outcomes.

What gives?

It’s not just what a man makes that makes the difference. It’s the making of the man!

Just because Elon Musk can blast a rocket into space, doesn’t mean I can.

Just because Pedro Adao can rack up 8 fat figures from online challenges he runs does not mean I will see the same results.

I don’t have the same experience, abilities, connections, confidence. A host of factors I could excuse myself with. And these facts are not self depreciating, just honest. If you cannot gracefully accept who and where you are right now, how do you imagine you’ll become the person you one day will be?

But the real determiner is simply this. I am not Elon. I am not Pedro. I am David Lee Martin.

Quite frankly, I don’t want to be those fine folks!

God did not make me a carbon copy. He made me, me. He made you, you.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV)

His plans are no less impressive for you than anyone else. Plans to prosper you, to give you a vibrant hope, and a fruitful future. But it will be a future and hope in keeping with your personality.

That’s why it’s essential to work on yourself. Grow yourself. Encourage, embolden, educate, and edify yourself. Respect yourself, and do all you can to develop and use your gifts. Staring out of the window observing what everyone else is doing is not going to get you where you want to be.

Turn and look in the mirror, and appreciate what you see!

Understand that you are shaped by God for a purpose bigger than you can presently embody and seek to become the man or woman He needs you to be in order to fulfil His perfect plan for your life.

The Scriptures do say that “God is no respecter of persons” but this is spoken with reference to His righteousness. It doesn’t mean what He’s done for one He’ll do for another. God’s plan for your life is as real and true as it is for anyone else, but not identical.

Israel were God’s chosen people. Through miraculous intervention they were freed from slavery, patiently provided for and protected through 40 long years in the wilderness, brought gloriously into their promised land, and shaped by covenant for centuries to be the perfect people to birth Messiah.

No other nation was shaped to carry such responsibility.

They were shaped by suffering just as much as by covenant and care.

The same I believe is true for you and me.

God shapes the person we are through the things that we suffer. Passion molds our character and moves us to act despite the challenges we face along the way.

So let me warn you, entrepreneurial endeavors are not all glitter and glory. There’s many a night of tears before joy breaks out in the morning.

Why do I say all of this? Because I don’t want you stepping into the arena with rose-tinted spectacles expecting your journey to one without pain, and questions, and self-doubt, and fear, and fumbling, and failure. They come as a guaranteed part of the package.

Yes, the rewards are worth the risk, but you really do need to know who you are and be ready for God to build resilience into your spirit if you mean to step into building a business around your personality and passions. It will take more than just a fancy website and a little charisma.

Business is life. It takes heart, and not just an ‘inch-deep desire’ kind of passion to build successfully.

Be prepared to suffer for the things you want to make. To go through some gruelling examinations of your own limitations and mindsets. To stare failure in the face as well as embrace success.

At core just because someone else has done something successfully does not mean you can too. Because the person who has done that something has a history. They have been formed by their experiences, their mindsets have been shaped, their beliefs have been forged in many a fire.

Don’t take this as a discouragement. I’m not saying you cannot accomplish your dreams. I’m merely pointing out that character undergirds all our endeavors.

The building work often takes place inwardly as we step into our destiny. It’s a journey. We discover in the doing, and some of those discoveries will not be comfortable.

Be prepared to suffer along the way, knowing that God rewards the diligent.

Understand that faith has to be coupled with patience in order to possess the promise.

“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12 KJV)

There root of the word patience? You guessed it, that Latin word for suffering, “pati”.

The King James is not joking when it describes the fruit of patience as longsuffering.

The decision to be an entrepreneur may usher you quickly and seamlessly into a life of untold riches. Sheesh, if the sales pages delivered on just 5% of their promises we’d all be rolling in the island sands sipping Pina-Coladas. Nothing is impossible.

But please don’t be disappointed if your dream of financial freedom and far-reaching fruit doesn’t happen overnight.

The making of a man or woman by the hand of God is not a quick turn of the wheel.

Allow patience to have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

“Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.” (James 1:3–4 AMP)

If these words are not what you want to hear, or you choke on the idea that suffering is part of the parcel, leave now. It will save you a great deal of pain and disillusionment down the line.

Millions of people hop from one shiny object to the next, spend decades of their life shoveling money on course after course, product after product, promise after promise, and round the same wilderness mountain again and again, in the vain hope that’s there’s an easy painless pathway to prosperity.

There may well be, but rarely have I seen it, especially when someone is genuinely wanting to build a business around their own particular area of passionate expertise or personality.

It is possible, and I’m walking this out myself alongside many others, but not without pain. Not without some sleepless nights. Not without the hard yards figuring out what works and what doesn’t.

The rewards are worth fighting for, but those rewards are not just monetary. The real reward is becoming the person God needs you to be in order to fulfil the great purpose that He has placed you on the planet for.

You are in the business of becoming. God is making the man or woman you are called to be. From that foundation, your business will be built.

I used to enamored by the idea of being a thought leader. A pioneering trailblazer carving the way to new fields of revelation, bringing swathes of thankful followers with me. But today I’m content instead to be a thoughtful follower. It’s often the best way to show the way…

A thoughtful follower? Sure!

Most of the words that I speak or the words I write are inspired or prompted by something I have heard or read. Observations on something I have seen. Not one original, uninitiated thought.

Even the ones that seem to spring from unadulterated genius are generally the fruit of a conversation with God in prayer. Not in a heavens-opened-up-and-angels-delivered-a-world-changing-message way, just a plain old conversation in prayer way, where I give myself the privilege of shutting up for five minutes to let Someone far more intelligent than me do the talking.

So today, I want to slap an objection to the ground that many would-be creative entrepreneurs pull out of their why-not-bag.

Originality. Or rather, un-originality.

Are not all the best ideas already taken?

The simple answer is yes, and no.

Even in the 9th century BC, we find Solomon pointing out this high tech truth:

“That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9 NKJV)

The reality is, humanity is wrestling with the same fundamental problems they always have. Seeking security, significance, and a sense of purpose.

The means of answering those questions may have evolved and morphed over the centuries, but the itch that they scratch has not changed.

As men and women of faith in the marketplace we’re not looking for new, never before seen problems to solve. We are simply coming with new eyes, informed by our history, experience, and learning to offer our own unique take on the answers we believe will help our fellow travelers.

That’s where the uniqueness comes into play. You are the magic ingredient that turns a plain old information-pie into a deliciously original meal.

Thoughtfully follow the desires that God has placed in your heart. Let your history inform your present. What are the threads that weave through the fabric of your journey so far? What are the things that others come to you for advice and help on? What are the incessant promptings in a particular direction telling you?

As I have said so many times, mine is an almost obsessive fascination with words. Not in a scholarly way, but in a common, very ordinary I love to dig into a subject and scratch below the surface way. A delightfully curious want to communicate way.

For sure there will be a host of other folks doing similar things to the ones you propose.

Don’t get caught up in trying to be original.

The fact that there will only ever be one of you in all of history and eternity takes care of that gnarly problem. The fact that it is you picking up the diamond and turning it your hand will always shine a new light on a facet of the subject you are tackling.

Billionaires may be jostling for their market share in above the stratosphere right now, but most folks would be more than happy to just figure out how to live their feet-on-the-ground existence better.

Whether it’s wealth, health, relationships, or spirituality, there will never be a day when answers and leaders are not sought by the masses. You can be a leader in any one of those multifaceted spaces, bringing great value to the table.

Thank God we don’t have to build a spaceship to discover ourselves and our destiny.

Extraterrestrial life already landed on the planet, in a stable in Bethlehem a little over 2000 years ago. He guaranteed your success and is shaping you for glory. He’s here now by His Spirit to help you step into your purpose on earth (and possibly even in space if you become a billionaire with little more to conquer below the clouds!).

Let faith not FOMO (fear of missing out) guide your steps. Even if your ideas seem unoriginal, and your intellectual merchandise somewhat unremarkable compared to the other stallholders in Vanity Fair, do not fear. Keep carving your way to your core, and you’ll discover that you are an original.

Seek only to share sincerely, whole-heartedly, and without such harsh self-criticism, and you’ll be surprised at how many seemingly never-before-seen-or-heard ideas spring from your open heart.

A common fear of creatives is that the well will run dry.

The terror of empty pipes has even been immortalised with the attribution, “writer’s block.” Doubtless, there is also “song block”, “brush block”, “product block”, and “vid block”.

I choose to block out any idea of blocks. I believe in a perpetual well of inspiration that flows from the inner man. It just needs to be tapped and called upon to produce. Some days more than others, but produce nevertheless.

The hair and slime that clogs the pipes (yuk! but you know exactly what I mean) is actually perfectionism.

We want every work of our hands to be absolutely magnificent. This is a sticking point for sure, because whether we like it or not, some days are simply more open to the flow than others.

“Today, I have nothing to say…”

In thinking about what to write today, I thought about starting my creative encouragement to you with the words, “Today, I have nothing to say…”

Some may breathe a sigh of relief! 😉

But who am I to lie? Even if I say I have nothing to say I’ve said something worthy of exploration.

So be encouraged, you’ll never run dry.

It is not a crime to say the same thing again, in a different way.

Pull an old word from the archives and send it for another spin.

Call on your pet subjects, the core message that you carry, and reiterate it for the umpteenth time. New eyes and ears may be experiencing it for the first time.

You don’t need to create something brand new every time you sit to create. Just turn the value diamond in your hand and highlight another facet of beauty and grace relating to your subject of choice.

What’s Your Diamond Subject?

I speak, write, and teach Christian creativity, mostly focussed on digital delivery of your message and value to the marketplace. I bring prayer and productivity under one roof, and could talk the legs off a horse if I’m let loose.

Some may say I harp on about it. So be it. It’s my song. What’s yours?

To encourage others to recognise and realise their value in tangible ways that can impact lives and generate income is a message I believe people need to hear.

What’s your message?

If it’s a heartfelt sincere message it won’t be a one-time article nested on your blog somewhere, it will be a diamond subject that fascinates your curiosity, and inwardly calls to be communicated time and time again. It will crop up in almost all of your communications in one way or another.

The gospel of course is the core message for every Christian, the golden thread that runs through all we say and do, but there are many facets to Christ’s wisdom that God calls His people to share with the world. Not all of them relate to Heaven. God wants us to end well, of course, but the journey there needs to be taken in fellowship with the Creator too.

The Bible, and the Holy Spirit who wrote it, has much to say about life, finances, diet, rest, wellness, anger, love and relationships, hope, faith, words, thoughts, business, ecology, creativity, parenting…

You name it, there’s a facet of wise counsel that can be shaped into a viable and worthy business, and deliver present value to the marketplace.

My passion and diamond subject is Christian Creativity, what’s yours?

Let me know in the comments…

In a hyper-active world how do we live like Christ? Is Jesus wearing Nike trainers and sprinting around the globe desperately building His brand, fearful that some other pretender will take His market share?

I think not.

The pace of grace is not breakneck. The only neck spoken of in relation to the way of Jesus is the one on which He longs to place an easy yoke.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29–30 KJV)

Vaynerchukianism may urge you to be everywhere all the time and become everything to everyone. All power to his disciples. It’s not for me.

Muskism may conquer the known universe, but if I were to follow his way, I think I’d lose my soul down the drain.

I’m not saying anyone else is wrong here. Just what’s wrong for me.

Peaceful obscurity seems a more life-affirming option.

This doesn’t mean skulking in insecure shadows and never speaking up. It simply means focusing on what really matters regardless of the noisy world outside the window, or screaming from the screens.

By nature, I’m an action taker. Passive resignation is not the way of peace, any more than rabid aspiration. It’s just that our actions must be tempered by truth.

I spend much of my day encouraging Christians to stand up, stand out, and share their worth and message with the world.

The problem arises when ambition steps in and begins to set the scoreboard.

More, bigger, faster, richer.

Metrics designed with cynical delight aimed to enhance your inadequacy.

Because in that world more is never enough, fast is too slow by far, and rich is a slippery scale.

You are enough!

Jesus did not just die for who you might become. He died and delighted to do so, for the scruffy unfinished product you already are. He wants to walk with you today, not just when you shape up.

The devil wants your eye on tomorrow. A tantalizingly out-of-reach tomorrow filled with all of the things you think you want and need.

And when you arrive and hold those things in your hand, the goalposts will move. I’ve seen it a thousand times in my life, and have decided it’s time to sack my ambitions and follow the call of Christ more closely.

His is the way of unhurried peace. I wonder where the path will lead?

Creating something from nothing is the speciality of our Creator. He speaks and things spring into existence! The same can be said of His people.

“God… calleth those things which be not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17 KJV)

Made in His image we are uniquely endowed with the gift of endless possibility!

The power to take an invisible thought and form it into something tangible is just one of the fingerprints of divinity displayed through humanity. In case you hadn’t noticed, human beings are amazing. And you are one of them.

The action of faith takes future hopes and dreams, tugs them into the present, and sculpts them into reality. The genius of God at work within us gives evidence to things that were previously unseen.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

In the realm of business, this is known as ‘entrepreneurship’.

Christian artist and entrepreneur, Matt Tommey, points out:

“Truth be told, only about 1% of people are really called to vocational ministry within the local church. The rest of us are called to be in the marketplace, releasing the light and life of the Kingdom every day through our unique creative expression. So whether that’s business or art, family or finance you have the divine opportunity to align yourself today with the purposes of the Kingdom, see God start moving through you like never before and watch as the abundance of our Father overtakes you.”

Michael Holmes digs below the surface of the word, entrepreneur. The word “entrepreneur” is from the Old French word “entreprendre”, which means “undertake.” “Entrepreneur” is also derived from two Latin words: “Entre” meaning to “Swim out.” and “Prendes” to “Grasp or grab hold of.”

So, as entrepreneurs, we undertake, swim out to the unknown to grab hold of unseen opportunities.

Maybe you are still standing on the banks right now, ready to dive. Perhaps you are already in deep waters. Either way, the call to entrepreneurship is a high and holy one.

Deuteronomy 8:18 speaks about how God gives His people the power to get wealth. The verse is also qualified with a statement of intent, “that God might establish His covenant from generation to generation.”

Kingdom business and creativity are far more than just money-making schemes, they are God’s means of establishing His covenant promises in the earth. It seems that our Father believes that money in the right hands is a good thing!

The Amplified Bible unpacks the nature of faith further in its expansion of the original languages. Hebrews 11 is packed with nutrients for aspiring entrepreneurs.

In it we read that “faith perceives as real fact what is not yet revealed to the senses”.

The Faith-preneur sees something as absolutely real, and perceives genuine value, before the fact. The value we bring to the marketplace exists way before it hits the virtual shelves.

Furthermore, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.” (Hebrews 11:3 AMP)

God frames worlds, galaxies, and universes.

Our faith-framing exists on a somewhat less majestic level, but its nevertheless still remarkable.

We frame products, publications, services, ideas and ideologies, revolutionary platforms, endlessly creative inventions.

Faith gives definition to ideas, and brings them into focus. Faith is like the hand that take the raw material and shapes it into value that previously did not exist.

Faith residues in the heart, and its exercise produces seemingly from nothing.

Look around you. All that you see was once no more than an idea, a vision living hidden in someone’s heart.

The entrepreneurial call is one that calls us to venture beyond the world of hopeful ideas, and take risks. Not risks as in gambling, but faith-filled endeavours designed to give definition to the dreams we carry that we believe will benefit other people.

You have hopes that you carry. Maybe it’s a book you are pregnant with? Maybe a new business aimed to aid people with their finances? It could be a screenplay or an online service for struggling families. It could be a revolutionary educational toy, a painting, or a poem.

Whatever the scope, the substance of these ideas will come into view when we exercise faith to make them real.

Skin and heart in the game moves a man from merely existing into the joy of fulfilment, flourishing in their chosen field of favor. Faith also provides the shield that will protect your heart against the resistance you will face when you choose to take the journey.

The life of faithful-preneurship is not a weak or easy option. It is one that requires full focus in one direction over a period of time. Setbacks and bumps in the road, sometimes even mountains, will present themselves mocking your audacious presumption. Failed ventures may even be the stones that pave the way to ultimate success.

But your God is faithful.

Like Abraham, you are “fully persuaded that, what God has promised, he is able also to perform.” (Romans 4:21 KJV)

In our generation, carrying Kingdom purpose, we are encouraged to “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12 NKJV)

You carry promises, hopes, dreams, and entrepreneurial desires on the inside.

Faith will play a key role in your enterprise, closely coupled with the power twin, patience.

Success takes time. Entrepreneurial success is carried on honest shoulders of character, and character is often built through adversity. This is what patience is so essential.

Taken together, your ability to envision value and then patiently make it tangible, will be life-changing. Allow the Holy Ghost to lead you today toward your God-given goals.