Whenever the word entrepreneur is bounced around, people immediately think in terms of business persons. While this is a correct definition, it does not embrace the totality of the concept. Among other things, an entrepreneur is someone who through creativity can turn something around and position it for more positive, impactful outcomes. To this extent, you can have an entrepreneurial leader or even entrepreneurial pastor. The Bible is full of examples of those who turned their situations around. Jephthah counts as one. He was expelled unceremoniously by his half-brothers from their father’s house. He wore a stigma of being born outside of wedlock and by a harlot. He did not become daunted by that expulsion, rather he went to work on himself and became the captain of a formidable army. In time of crisis, the people sent for him to come and take charge of the tribe.

By the help of the Spirit, we can turn any misery to mission, knowing full well that God will never permit what He cannot use for His glory.

Certainly, Paul would count for an entrepreneurial apostle. He had it rough with the Jews and Roman authorities. He was dragged before kings, but that only became an extension of his pulpit. This was what Paul referred to in our lead scripture. A further breakdown of that is found in verse 13 when he says, “So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places”. The chains actually became an avenue for him to stand before kings, fulfilling part of the original mission God had for him. When he was thrown into jail, he found a use for that as well. The jail provided the solitude he needed to write several of his epistles that have continued to bless Christians of different generations. By the help of the Spirit, we can turn any misery to mission, knowing full well that God will never permit what He cannot use for His glory.