Growing up I loved everything to do with the arts. I would put on skits for my parents, direct my friends in mini plays, and use a camcorder to record the world around me. I loved the arts but I didn’t understand how loving the arts and loving God could go together.
I thought in order to serve God and really please him that he would want me to be a missionary or serve in some other form of traditional ministry. It was a subtle lie, but all the less still there.
When I went to Bible college I learned that when I’m following God I can trust the desires in my heart.
Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (ESV)
When we are in a relationship with God, he places his desires in our hearts. It was so freeing for me to realize that when I'm in fellowship with God I can be led by the joy I experience in doing things I'm interested in.
Religion labels certain occupations as holy and others as secular but when we are in a relationship with God all our work flows from that place.
The Seven Mountains
There is a word that was received by Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusade for Christ) and Loren Cunningham (founder of YWAM) that there are 7 mountains in culture that Christians should influence to change society. They are business, government, media, arts & entertainment, education, family, and religion. Besides the mountain of religion though Christians have done very little to influence these mountains.
I believe the enemy through fear and false religion has kept well-meaning Christians from going into these areas. He has sold the lie that God’s love towards you is dependent on what you do for him. It is a tactic of the enemy to silence Christians so they will have little influence and people will remain in bondage.
We need Christians to go into “secular positions” and to be sought after for their knowledge and skill. In the book of 1 Kings, the Queen of Sheba came to visit King Solomon because he had built a reputation for himself and was in a position of power and influence.
She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.” – 1 Kings 10:6-7 (NIV)
What a shift we would see in today’s culture if Christians were in such places of prominence. If you are called into “traditional ministry” that’s awesome but if you have the urge go after something less traditional you should.
Operating your own business is not any less glorifying to God than being a pastor. It’s God who has given you the gifts and talents you have and He wants you to use them! So, whatever your desire is just be led by God and go for it! You have a green light.