You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me.
Acts 20:34
One of the first ministries my husband and I started was around 2016 while we were still working full-time jobs and raising a house full of children. We certainly already had a full plate, but we still felt God was nudging us to step out and start this ministry that would serve blended families around the globe.
For several years, we worked full-time during the day, and in the evening or weekends we planned events, created content, shared on podcast, did television interviews, managed blog contributors, conducted workshops, and more. Doing this was not an easy undertaking! It was a season when our willingness to say yes to God wasn’t contingent on convenience but rather obedience.
Looking back I realize that juggling full-time work, family, and ministry was what I had been called to do in that season. But God equips those He calls and He did just that with me. During that time our careers were a resource that God used to help fund our ministry and mission.
The person having a similar experience is someone I like to call The Tentmaker. As we observe the life of the Apostle Paul, we see how he used his talent to build tents to support himself and the ministry. He was fully invested in the work of God while God blessed the work of his hands to provide the resources he needed.
Being The Tentmaker requires stepping out and partnering with God as your job and God’s calling occupy space in the same season. It also requires a strong community, a willingness to delegate, and a trust in God with the details, as we see with Paul. He always ends his letters with those that are co-laboring with him. This is key to the role of a Tentmaker.
This leap may not require you to walk completely away from your job; however, it is still out of your comfort zone because it requires risk, trusting others, and sacrifice. Trusting God to build something from the ground up, even without your ability to be fully present in the process, demonstrates you are in The Tentmaker season.
If you find yourself being the Tentmaker, I want to encourage you to learn to lean into godly wisdom and counsel as you study how Paul co-labored with others so that the work of the kingdom could go forth.
Can you think of someone you know who has been called to be a Tentmaker? Share your answer with me in the blog comment section.
Rachel G. Scott
Author
About
Rachel is a wife and a mother, writer, speaker, and entrepreneur. She has been featured nationally and internationally on television, podcast, radio, devotionals, and blogs. As the Founder of the I Can’t Come Down movement, an organization dedicated to helping women walk in their purpose and assignment with focus, she is a former Huffington post contributor and current Youversion and Moody Radio Cleveland Partner. She is also part of The Well Communicators a faith-based speaking team.
Rachel is deeply devoted to serving God, loving and honoring her husband and raising her children in a Godly home where they experience authenticity and learn to embrace their imperfections.
Thank you Rachel for these encouraging articles. They are relatable and give me insight I hadn’t had before. I find myself in a transition period, the Lord is really working to move me into something new. The tent maker article gave me a very different perspective and appreciation for where I am right now. Thank you!
I am so glad this series is blessing you. Transitions are never easy, it’s great to have fresh perspective when we are going through it.
I, too, am in the Tentmaker season of life. I can relate SO well to your posts. Thank you for the encouragement they bring. God is using you to help and encourage many people. You are blessed!