Almost eight months ago, I decided to leave a comfortable, steady career to pursue woodworking full-time. I had been refining a plan, a space in mind to lease, and growing connections. The opportunity came suddenly, so I felt the need to act quickly before it was given to another. Then, unforeseen delays in the building process brought everything to a standstill. Instead of moving forward, I was left in limbo, uncertain when the next step would finally come. This brief season of waiting gave me time to reevaluate and consider the long term challenges of starting a business in that location. I concluded that I did not want to spend time managing a space, I wanted to create for God. 

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And so, I gathered all my tools, moved back into the warehouse, and started building from scratch again. Commission by commission. Learning and growing from each one. Reinvesting the profits into better tools, materials, and opportunities. At the same time, starting to feel the pressure of having to pay bills, afford groceries, and gas. I began to wonder how long I could keep this up as I watched friends settle into stable careers and a quiet home life. Imposter syndrome took hold of my thoughts as a female, self-taught woodworker with a unique niche in a male dominated trade. All I knew, was to keep building by faith.

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So, what does it mean to build something by faith? What does it mean to build something with eternity in mind? What is the cost of building for the Kingdom? What promises of God should one cling to?

Building anything by faith — whether it be a business, a ministry, a family — is motivated by a love for Christ, instructed by His Word, and aimed toward building His Kingdom. Not my own. 

As the Psalmist says: “You made known to me the path of life, in your presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). The desire for a full, joy-filled life and the pursuit of God’s glory are not contradictory or at odds with each other… For — It is in laying your life down, seeking to know the Living God, that you will discover this fullness of joy and satisfaction in Him! 

In contrast, a life lived for oneself will always prove empty, as wanting more, vain, and fruitless. As 1 John 2:17 says, “The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whosoever does the will of God abides forever“.  

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What does this practically look like in daily life? I believe it looks a bit different for everyone, but the overarching goals are the same. For the work God has given me to do — it often looks like a listening ear toward those who come with a specific project in mind. A heart of love and a mindset of service motivating the skillful creation of something meaningful. A reliance upon God for strength during hard labor. A posture of humility, knowing the gifts He has given me are for His glory and the blessing of others. Daily obedience in small tasks of ordinary faithfulness and good stewardship of tools and resources. A dependence upon prayer and delight in fellowship with Christ during each day. Trust in Him for daily bread. 

Overall, building by faith in this season has been motivated by Colossians 3:23, which says: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” I know that each commission placed before me has been given by God. Every tool has become an instrument of stewardship. Work becomes worship when it is done to the glory of God. 

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Now, what does building by faith require?

Building by faith requires trust — not in one’s own abilities, efforts, or understanding — but trust in a God who is Sovereign, present, faithful, wise, good, loving, actively designing, authoring, preparing, and carving out the path before me for His glory and the good of others around me. 

Building by faith also requires risk. As John Piper eloquently said, “If our single, all embracing passion is to make much of Christ in life and death, and if the life that magnifies him most is the life of costly love, then life is risk, and risk is right. To run from it is to waste your life” (Risk is Right, 17). I think about the countless times God has given me opportunity to testify to others that I’m choosing to trust in Him during this season, that I don’t have to know all the answers. He will faithfully provide the next step.  

Building by faith is also freeing! Despite the cost and risk, faith is ultimately grounded in truth. There are foundational promises for which we can confidently act — promises of help (Isaiah 41:10), provision (Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:26), reward (Hebrews 11:6), and harvest (Galations 6:9). 

Scripture is filled with ordinary people who acted in faith. Consider Noah, whom God chose to build the ark — every swing of his hammer was done in faith. Consider Ruth as she quietly approached the threshing floor, trusting God with a future she could not see. Consider the woman who, ostracized from society due to her condition, pressed through the crowd to merely touch the hem of Jesus’ garment for healing. These simple men and women acted in faith. 

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Lastly — Building by faith starts with small acts of obedience that have eternity in mind. Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32).

And so, take heart! Whatever God has commissioned you to build in your home, workplace, community, family — trust that even humble beginnings and quiet acts of faithfulness can be used by God to produce fruitful, far-reaching influence for His kingdom. For, this kingdom is not built by human effort, hard work, knowledge, wisdom, cunning, or strategy. It is built by God Himself — the creator and sustainer of all things, the One who pursues the lost, opens blind eyes, transforms hearts, and gives true life. He presently invites us to build with Him.