The Entrepreneur's Leap of Faith: Trusting God's Leading in Business

In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, where risks are inherent and decisions can feel monumental, the journey of faith often intertwines with the pursuit of purpose. David Welday, founder and owner of HigherLife Publishing, embodies this intersection, offering insights into trusting God's leading, taking calculated risks, and cultivating deep intimacy with God in the marketplace.

Welday's journey into Christian publishing wasn't a straightforward path. With a background in marketing and a desire to operate in the secular world, he initially resisted working for a Christian company. "I didn't want to work for a Christian company because people who work in Christian companies, they're weak and insecure and they can't handle it in the real world," he candidly admits. Yet, necessity, coupled with God's persistent nudges, led him to a Christian publishing firm, where he discovered a passion for developing inspiring content. This initial resistance highlights a common tension for believers in business: how to be 'in the world, but not of it.' Welday's solution was to build a company, HigherLife Publishing, that operates on Christian values and principles without being exclusively branded as 'Christian.' This approach allows him to serve a diverse clientele while maintaining his integrity and mission.

The Power of Obedience and Intimacy with God

At the core of Welday's success and peace is his unwavering commitment to intimacy with God. He believes a 'lover will outwork a worker any day,' emphasizing that a deep relationship with God fuels his passion and purpose. This intimacy isn't passive; it's actively cultivated through obedience. "Obedience... just saying yes to those little promptings, those little nudges from the Holy Spirit, even if they seem a little bit off track or weird, that cultivates intimacy," Welday explains. He recounts a personal experience where a specific, challenging fast, initially resisted, ultimately opened up a 'new level of hearing God's voice' and awareness of His presence. This highlights a critical principle for leaders: sometimes, the most uncomfortable acts of surrender lead to the greatest spiritual breakthroughs and deeper connection with God's guidance.

Taking Risks: The 'What If' Factor

Welday's entrepreneurial leap to start HigherLife Publishing at nearly 50 years old is a testament to his belief in taking risks guided by faith. Despite having secure job offers, he chose the path of uncertainty. His rationale is powerful: "I don't want to look back 10 years from now and say I had a window of opportunity and I didn't take it." He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to consider whether they would feel better having taken a risk and failed, than never having tried at all. This perspective underscores a profound trust in God's faithfulness, even in the face of potential failure. For Welday, the regret of 'what if' outweighs the fear of falling short.

Decision-Making Infused with Divine Guidance

In business, decision-making is constant, and for Welday, it's a process deeply intertwined with spiritual discernment. While acknowledging his natural capabilities, he emphasizes the need to constantly ask, "But God, is this really what you want?" This surrender extends to hiring, where he sometimes feels a divine nudge to hire individuals who may not perfectly fit a natural job description but whom God intends to impact through the company's environment. This approach prioritizes divine leading over purely human logic, opening doors for unexpected ministry and transformation within the workplace.

Extravagant Generosity: Reflecting God's Nature

Welday's philosophy on generosity mirrors God's own extravagant nature. He views tithing as a baseline, not a ceiling, and constantly seeks ways to increase his giving of time, talent, and resources as God blesses him. "God is faithful, I want to be faithful. God is generous, I want to be generous," he states. This mindset transforms generosity from a duty into a joyful reflection of God's character, creating a cycle of blessing and impact.

Encouragement for Marketplace Leaders

For those entering the marketplace or seeking to integrate their faith more deeply into their business, Welday offers a simple yet profound encouragement: "Be willing to take the risk and listen... What's the relentless thing that isn't letting go of you?" This calls for a sensitive ear to the Holy Spirit's promptings and the courage to act on them, even when it feels counterintuitive or risky. It's a reminder that God often speaks through persistent thoughts and desires, guiding us toward His purposes in our professional lives.

David Welday's journey is a powerful narrative for any leader seeking to navigate the complexities of business with faith. It's a call to cultivate intimacy with God, embrace calculated risks, and allow divine guidance to shape every decision and interaction, ultimately transforming not just businesses, but our very own lives. To connect with David Welday visit higherlife.com or send an email.