Show Notes
In this third week of Advent, Case reflects on Isaiah 12 and how it can inspire new business entrepreneurs to have resilience and trust, culminating in joyful impacts to the community around us.
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Episode Transcript
In the midst of Advent’s joyful anticipation, we are reminded of the call to repentance and renewal. Reformed theology emphasizes the importance of sanctification, the ongoing process of being conformed to the image of Christ. As we draw closer to Christmas, we examine our hearts and seek to align our lives with God’s will, preparing to receive the gift of His Son.
A reading from Isaiah chapter 12 verses two through six:
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
Isaiah 12:2-6 conveys a message of trust, joy, and proclamation, which resonates powerfully with new business entrepreneurs embarking on their journeys. The passage begins with a declaration of faith and confidence in God’s salvation and strength. For entrepreneurs, the early stages of launching a business can often feel daunting, filled with uncertainty and fear.
Just as the prophet Isaiah emphasizes trusting in God rather than being afraid, new entrepreneurs must cultivate a mindset of resilience and trust in their vision, believing that their efforts can lead to success. Consider the story of Sarah, who launched her own organic skincare line after years of working in a corporate environment. Initially, Sarah faced numerous challenges from securing funding to finding suppliers. There were moments when doubt crept in and she felt overwhelmed by the risks involved. However, Sarah found solace in her faith, often reciting Isaiah 12, reminding herself that God was her strength. This assurance allowed her to face obstacles with courage, gradually building her business from the ground up.
This passage also highlights the importance of sharing one’s journey and celebrating successes. In verses four and five, the call to proclaim what God has done and to make his name known mirrors how entrepreneurs should share their stories and triumphs. After launching her product line, Sarah organized community events to showcase her skincare range. At these gatherings, she didn’t just promote her products, she shared her journey, the hurdles she overcame, and the values her business stood for. This openness resonated with her audience, creating a community around her brand that celebrated both personal and collective achievements.
Finally, the joyous exclamation in verse six serves as a reminder that success is not just about profit. It’s about creating impact and blessing your neighbor.
Sarah’s business grew not only because of her quality products, but also due to the relationship she built with her customers and the integrity she brought to her product. By embracing the spirit of joy and gratitude, she cultivated a loyal following that felt invested in her mission. As Isaiah encourages shouting for joy, new entrepreneurs like Sarah are reminded to celebrate every step of their journey, recognizing that their work can inspire others and contribute to a larger narrative of God’s call on us and God’s hope for our activity in the world.
A reading from Zephaniah chapter 3 verses 14 through 20.
Sing, Daughter Zion;
shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away your punishment,
he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
never again will you fear any harm.
On that day
they will say to Jerusalem,
“Do not fear, Zion;
do not let your hands hang limp.
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
“I will remove from you
all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals,
which is a burden and reproach for you.
At that time I will deal
with all who oppressed you.
I will rescue the lame;
I will gather the exiles.
I will give them praise and honor
in every land where they have suffered shame.
At that time I will gather you;
at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise
among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes
before your very eyes,”
says the Lord
A prayer for Entrepreneurs by John Maxwell.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of this opportunity. I know that you have called me to be a leader and a difference maker in the world of business. I ask for your guidance and wisdom as I navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. Help me to be a person of integrity, making choices that honor you and reflect your values. Create in me the strength to persevere when faced with obstacles and the discernment to recognize opportunities. Surround me with wise advisors and collaborators who will inspire and challenge me. May my work bring joy and value to others and may I always remember that success is not just about profits, but about serving and uplifting those around me. Thank you for the journey ahead.I trust in your plan and provision. In your name I pray. Amen.
A reading from the Gospel of Luke, chapter three, starting in verse seven.
John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized.“Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.
