A Biblical Perspective of My Struggle as an Entrepreneur
It Is Kind Of Like Becoming A Tree
I became an entrepreneur officially in 2014 and having some trying times getting off the ground. I was staring at a coconut tree, day-dreaming and kind of worrying about how long it was taking me to get answers to prayers about the success of my business and then it suddenly hit me that…..
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Since I have been diligently trying not to “walk in the step of the wicked,” and it seems to be making my answers to prayer take even longer.
I have been earnestly trying to do things the right way, knowing full well that by cutting a few corners or compromising my values I could make the answers appear faster.
The major difference being that I can get mediocre answers doing it my way or the fruit God promises by doing it His way.
The prerequisite for our fruit bearing from Psalm 1 is that we:
- Do things God’s way
- Stay in the Word
If we do these two things, we have the promise that whatever we do will prosper and that we WILL bear fruit IN OUR SEASON.
Trees Grow Slowly
I did some research on the coconut tree and realize that it took about five (5) to six (6) years after planting to produce. However fruit production does not really flourish until the tree is about twelve (12) to thirteen (13) years old.
Grass Grows Fast
Grass and even some other plants, on the other hand, grow a lot faster. They sprout up quickly and sometimes you can’t even notice their growth day by day.
Then it dawned on me that God wants to make my business “like the coconut tree.” He isn’t interested in seeing rapid growth that will not make it to the next season and is ultimately unsustainable.
A tree, though it grows slowly, becomes a lot sturdier and is able to withstand challenges that grass and other plants can’t.
Psalm 92:7
“That when the wicked sprouted up like grass and all who did iniquity flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.”
Psalm 92:12
“The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”
Coconut Trees Yield More Fruit
The downside, of course, is that the coconut trees don’t bear fruit 3 months to two years after you plant them like many vegetable plants will. It takes a few years or even longer to bear fruit.
Patience seems to be a rare virtue in our society these days, but it is one that we ought to develop. God seems to like taking the long road with a lot of things and as I begin to see the reason behind it, it causes me to say, “huh, God really is smarter than I am.”
Becoming A Coconut Tree
It’s tough watching the grass sprout up all around you and seeing others bearing fruit when you have been faithfully doing what is right, but we must not be short-sighted. We need to try to look at these things the way God sees them.
Though the tomato plants around us may be popping out some fruit, while we seem to wonder what is taking so long, our day will come.
God is doing a work and creating something in us that will be around long after the grass has come and gone.
Galatians 6:9
“And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.”
Let Us Keep The Faith Brothers and Sisters!
Inspired by Why God’s Way Takes Longer Published by Bob for the christianpf.com
You would have spoken for many. Life is a struggle but if we don’t go through that struggle we could never be proud of our fruits. Like you said God’s way is the way, he is in charge.
You are sooooo right.
Yeilding to the process that is right for you is the.most productive thing one can do. Knowing the tools that ought to be used at the time.the process calls for it also helps with your success. Being willing to be taught and to learn out of every adverse or favourable situation means that like the cocomut tree, you will find the best path upward.
I like the realisation that the. Almighty is in deed smartrter that we are…..
…I remember that four months after opening my office business being grindingly dead, the two prospects i had were completely stalled.
One friday I walked into the office and challenged Him….
…” What is rhe meaning of this?, Why gift me with an office with the exact requirements i prayed for, 7 months ahead of when i prayed for and here I am sitting with no work!?’…..
By 2:30 He walked into my office, in the form of a friend, who that day was quite literally, and I do mean literally, the mouth piece of the Almighty. And he said to me…..
‘Yes the office was both a gift and a test, now I want you to give me the Control.’…….
Wow! the one thing I was really trying to perfect, he wanted it.
I would like to say that my business exploded into instant success thereafter, and yes it did, not with fabulous mega projects worth lots of money, but it did with meaningful small projects on a timely basis, that gives me the opportunity to learn and grow. But the biggest impact was that i became less anxious, more joyful and more content. I learnt what it means to be in a state that is ‘Wonderful by Gods Grace’ even though life is happening all around me.
Thank you for this wonderful article. The more we trust His way, the better His path will be for us.
Another verse which fits perfectly into this is Psalms 27:14, which happens to be my favorite is “wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart, wait I say on the Lord”. Sometimes we are so impatient and crave success that we miss sight of the important attributes required for our growth and development. Yes we want to achieve great things, but are we ready to deal with it? Are we strong enough? Can we withstand the pressure and the stormy winds? Can we make it through the tough times? I am so happy that you were able to put everything into perspective because the saying goes “A hurry bird never builds a good nest”. Thank you for this piece of inspiration.
Lovely article. In the past couple months or a year or so, some biblical quotations have become so real to me. Especially the words of Jesus. It is so much clearer than ever. Some such quotations: ‘seek first the kingdom of god and all the rest will come to you’. This is understand so clearly that by only being connected to your god self can anything be achieved. Any other way would be a struggle. I also understood then that the kingdom of god is me, in you in all of us and not an external entity. Once I understood that and connected to that my world changed.
The other is ‘the kingdom of God is at hand’ And literally so it is. Once you align yourself or tune into the correct frequency of what the kingdom really is, then you become a co-creator.
The other is ‘be still and know that I am God’. If one says that in the utter stillness of their hearts, that in itself becomes a magical prayer.
I like the analogy that is made with the tree and rightly so for me because I fully identify with trees. There is oneness that we share. But just listen to the part that is so different from us. The tree came into being or form knowing fully well it’s purpose and intends to fulfill its purpose simply by being itself. The coconut tree knows it’s intention is the bear coconuts, not guavas or mangos. It is steadfastly focus on its intents and is not bothered by anything that is happening around it. It welcomes the sun. Welcomes the rain and swerves with wind. It does not complain about what the tress around are doing. It uses its roots to search for nutrients and water to keep it going and uses the sun to produce its chlorophyll. (Those in winter shed their leafs to withstand winter and sprouts in spring again to welcome the glory of spring) the tree is not bothered which President has been elected or which one just left.
It is patient consistent and focus. But here’s the very important part: it enjoys every moment of its being, doesn’t know what time it is and does not seek itself in the future. In so doing it grows from strength to strength to become a giant tree that produces nuts to serve others time and time again.
Like a tree therein lies the secret of a successful entrepreneur: know your intention, focus on them intently on it, do not compare yourself with others. Enjoy moment by moment what is being done to achieve it in every step of the way. Don’t worry about mistakes, address and correct them and move on. Don’t get distracted. Go into silence and often as possible. Eventually the giant tree will emerge bearing fruits that he/ she/ it came here for
Marcus I know for a fact you are capable to be successful at anything you set out to. Always remember you must grow from a seed to become a tree success is all yours. Wonderful piece well written.