Faithfully Yani

There comes a point in our walk with God when He stirs something in our hearts—a nudge, a whisper, a call to step into something new. For me, I know I am in that season right now. God has been impressing on me the need to move forward, to start planning what’s ahead. But if I’m honest, I don’t always know where to begin or how to start it right.

Deep inside, I know that God’s call is not just a vague feeling. He has given me skills, knowledge, and intellect—not for nothing, but to be stewarded. It is not enough for me to simply long to be with Him in quiet devotion; my faith must also manifest in my life. Somehow, I once thought that simply living my life and sharing the gospel through my actions was enough. But I realized something deeper: when I began to lose the desire to “stay still,” it wasn’t demotivation—it was a lack of inspiration. And God was reminding me: it’s time to move.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

—1 Peter 4:10

Wrestling Between Paths

As much as I want to go and make disciples, I know my call is not to become a pastor in the church. But that doesn’t mean I’m excluded from leading, discipling, or stewarding. God has called every believer to influence others for His Kingdom, no matter the setting.

That’s why I’ve been wrestling between two possible paths: engineering and entrepreneurship. Both are good. Both use the gifts God has given me. But if I’m being honest, my heart leans toward entrepreneurship. There is a stirring in me to build something—to invest in people, to encourage them, and to create a Christ-centered space where faith and work intersect.

Yet, fear often creeps in. What if I’m not skilled enough? What if I fail? What if this path leads me away from God instead of closer to Him? Those are the thoughts that hold me back. And in those moments, I find myself tempted to choose the “safer” path—engineering, which I also love.

But something in me knows that God has set this season apart for me to at least try. He has given me the time and opportunity, and I don’t want to waste it. Even if I fail, at least I will have obeyed the nudge to step forward.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

—Proverbs 16:3

Learning to Take the First Step

One of my real concerns is this: What if pursuing business distracts me from God? What if work pulls me away from my devotion? I know this fear is real, but I also know God is with me. And so I’ve decided: I will try regardless.

About a week ago, I unexpectedly found myself on the website Faith Driven Entrepreneur. While scrolling, without much doubt or overthinking, I decided to join a group that begins its sessions in October. And just recently, I received a message confirming my registration—and I was reminded, yes, I really signed up for this.

As I’ve been contemplating God’s nudge to move forward these past few days, that simple decision feels like more than coincidence. It feels like confirmation—an open door God has allowed me to walk through.

If I haven’t shared it before, I already co-own a small café. But to be truthful, I haven’t been very hands-on. My role has mostly been managing the finances and budgeting, remotely. For a long time, I kept telling myself I would get to it “later.” My full-time work as a Principal Electronics Engineer kept me busy before, and when I first entered my sabbatical, I knew it wasn’t yet my priority.

But no matter how much I tried to set it aside, the call to steward it well kept resurfacing. God was reminding me: this café isn’t just a business—it’s a ministry opportunity. It’s a place where we serve not just coffee, but people—our employees and customers. And it’s a platform to serve God through excellence, kindness, and Christ-centered values.

Navigating this is not without its challenges, especially since my co-owners and I hold different beliefs. Yet, in the middle of those differences, God reminded me of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5. What may feel like a barrier can also be an invitation—to let His light shine through me right where I am:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16)

With this in mind, I know I can’t stay passive. While I don’t have all the answers yet, my prayer is to walk forward with wisdom, discernment, and godly counsel, trusting that He will guide me step by step.

The Parable of the Talents

As I kept praying and reading the Word, I was reminded of Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30). In this story, the master entrusted his servants with different amounts of money before leaving on a journey. Two of the servants invested and multiplied what they were given, but one servant buried his talent in the ground out of fear. When the master returned, he commended the faithful ones but rebuked the one who wasted the opportunity.

That story pierced my heart. I realized I don’t want to be the servant who buries what God has given out of fear. God has entrusted me with skills, intellect, and opportunities for a reason. He expects me to steward them faithfully—not to hide them away, but to put them to use for His glory.

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

—Matthew 25:23

It reminded me too that not all service looks the same. Yes, the apostles were called to preach the gospel in public squares. But God assigns different callings to His people. Some build churches, others design tools, and still others manage businesses. Every role matters. Even this laptop I’m using right now is the result of someone’s skills and talents being used. Through their work, the gospel can spread more widely and quickly.

In the same way, God has not given us intellect and skills for nothing. He has given them to us so that, in our unique assignments, we can love God and love others.

Trusting God with Provision

Amidst this calling, truthfully, I was also worried about how I could sustain myself during the in-between—the process of planning and preparing for God’s next assignment for me. Would I have enough? Would I run out of time or resources? I carried these worries inside, only to realize they weren’t helping me at all.

Then God reminded me of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25–34, where He tells us not to worry about food, drink, or clothing—because our Heavenly Father knows what we need.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

—Matthew 6:33

I realized that my role is not to map out every detail of the future but to walk faithfully, one day at a time. God has promised to provide, so my responsibility is to trust Him and obey what He has placed before me.

And so, I am learning to fight against worry daily. Instead of letting my mind spiral with “what ifs,” I want to fill my days with peace, service, and simple obedience to God.

Moving Forward in Faith

This journey is still unfolding, and I don’t have all the answers. But one thing I know: God is calling me to steward what I have, to trust Him with the next step, and to use my gifts for His glory.

I don’t want to let fear of failure, fear of distraction, or fear of insufficiency stop me. Because at the end of the day, God’s will is still the best plan. Wherever He leads me—whether in business, engineering, or something entirely different—I want to follow Him wholeheartedly.

And so I take the first step.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

—Proverbs 3:5–6

An Invitation

Maybe you’re also in a season of transition. Maybe God is stirring something in you, but fear of the unknown makes you hesitate. If that’s you, I want to invite you to join me in this journey. Let’s seek God together. Let’s commit to stewarding what He has given us, big or small, for His glory. And let’s trust that even when we don’t have a perfect plan, His will is good, pleasing, and perfect (Romans 12:2).

I am praying to pursue the path of business, but more than anything, I am praying to remain faithful wherever God leads. Because no matter the path, the greatest call remains the same: to love Him and serve Him, anywhere and everywhere.

So here I stand—scared, but willing. Unsure, but trusting. Taking one step at a time, believing that He who calls is faithful.

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

—1 Thessalonians 5:24

Faithfully,

Yani 💛

Thank You for Journeying With Me

Related Posts:

• The Weight of the Cross: Why Did Jesus Have to Die?
• Afraid of Failing God? 3 Truths to Remember About Our Weakness and His Grace
• How to Handle Success Without Losing Sight of God: 3 Guidelines to Help You Stay Faithful
• Why I Took a Sabbatical at the Peak of My Career (And 4 Things to Consider Before You Do Too)
• Why Your Life Is Never a Waste: The Power of Testimony, Ministry, and Generosity
• Writing to Serve: 3 Anchors That Keep My Blog Rooted in Christ
• What Does It Take to Build a Small Group? 3 Lessons from My Journey in Discipleship
• How Do We Serve with Love in Ministry? 3 Ways to Guard Our Words and Build Others Up
• Is Jesus Truly Lord in Your Life? 3 Practical Ways to Live in Obedience

Are you being Called to Entrepreneurship? Join Us!

Starting on OCTOBER 8, I will be joining a Faith Driven Entrepreneur Foundation Group of 10-15 entrepreneurs. I would love for you to join me! Joining a Faith Driven Entrepreneur Foundation Group means joining a community of people who, for perhaps the first time in your life, can really empathize with your journey of entrepreneurship. We’ll meet for one hour each week for 8 weeks to watch a short video and then wrestle together with how we can integrate our faith and work. My Faith Driven Entrepreneur Foundation Group starts on October 08, 2025 at 07:00 PM Philippine Standard Time. If you want to join me on this journey, you can sign up here.