Relying ONLY on business strategy will destroy you as a Christian creator.

You’ll never reach the finish line as a writer.

When we step into the world of writing, storytelling, or creative entrepreneurship, we often chase an invisible finish line. We measure success using worldly metrics like newsletter subscribers, book sales, and audience size.

That’s exactly what I find myself doing.

click. click. click.

I open my Beehiiv account and check my subscriber count.

554

Not bad. That’s ten more than yesterday.

I stand from my desk, take a small victory lap, pour a glass of water, and sit back down, a smile permanently pasted on my face.

A couple of hours pass.

click. click. click.

I open my Beehiiv account again.

551

Is any of this even worth it? Why am I so terrible at this?

And the cycle repeats.

I’m building a community of Christian writers and storytellers. I follow every piece of industry advice I can find.

I track every metric.

I refine every strategy.

But rarely do I stop to ask God if I am on the right path.

My audience grows incrementally every day across multiple newsletters. My work gets noticed. Surely that means I’m doing the right thing.

right?

But when I pause long enough to really think about it, I hear it — the enemy whispering in my ear. More!

More! readers. More! sales. More! recognition. 

But the enemy doesn’t show up with red horns and a pitchfork. He sneaks in with logical-sounding whispers.

You’re doing this for the “kingdom.” It’s worth it. Just one more project. Just one more late night.

And I believe those lies. Often.

And the result was/is: Misplaced priorities → Mission drift → A creative career that looks successful but erodes what truly matters.

And I know where this path leads because as a pastor I walk alongside people all the time who have reached this point.

It starts with a small compromise.

A little shift here, a tweak there.

Soon, writers soften their convictions to appeal to the market. Filmmakers water down truth for broader appeal. Creators adjust their voice to fit the algorithm rather than the call of Christ.

And then, before they know it, they’re burned out.

Tired.

They’ve spent so much time fine-tuning their brand, growing their audience, and executing their strategy that their spiritual life is a dried-up husk.

The work thrives, but the soul withers. The audience grows, but the impact fades.

And here’s the irony — when platform-building overshadows God’s calling, we risk turning our work into a monument to ourselves rather than a tool for His glory.

Why does this happen?

Because we believe we have to keep up with the world’s standards.

• We fear falling behind and becoming irrelevant.

• We rely too heavily on industry experts who don’t trust God themselves.

• We buy into the lie that faith and creativity don’t mix.

And all these things lead to the same place —

our ideas become idols.

our worship turns into work.

So how do we fix it?

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I think it starts with making faith the foundation of our creative work, not an afterthought.

God wants to be involved in your creative decisions. Yes, even if you’re writing fiction, poetry, or marketing content. When you invite Him in, your work aligns with His greater purpose.

I’ve spent years trying to navigate this, and I’ve learned a few things along the way.

I’ve taken those lessons and put them into a free email course for Christian entrepreneurs and creatives. It’s a playbook for balancing faith and creative work without losing sight of your mission.

Want early access? Join the waiting list here: The Christian Entrepreneur’s Playbook

Because this matters.

And because we don’t have to chase an invisible finish line when we’re following the One who has already set the path.

Write on 🤙

Payton

P.S. A few months ago, I launched a version of this email course, but I knew it needed more. So I took it back to the drawing board. I spent time refining the content, making it sharper, more practical, more rooted in God’s Word. I wanted it to truly serve Christian entrepreneurs — not just in theory, but in action.

The result was a playbook designed to help you build your creative work on a foundation of faith, without losing your mission in the process. And it’s completely free. Join the waiting list now. 

It launches next week.