What happens when God begins leading you somewhere you never expected to go? In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur, developer, and community builder Joshua Johnson for a fascinating and deeply faith-filled conversation about discernment, identity, risk, and learning to trust God one step at a time. Josh’s career journey has been anything but predictable. After beginning in the tech world and helping build Cincinnati’s startup ecosystem through Mindbox Studios, Josh eventually sensed God leading him and his family toward a dramatic pivot—one that ultimately moved them across the country to Redding, California and into an entirely new season of work and calling. But this conversation isn’t just about changing jobs or moving cities. It’s about learning how to recognize the voice of God in your career. It’s about understanding that your work is often one of the primary ways God reveals who He created you to be. And it’s about having the courage to say yes—even when you don’t yet understand the full picture. Josh shares openly about ambition, patience, transferable skills, community building, leadership, discernment, and what it means to trust God with both timing and outcomes. If you’ve been sensing a nudge toward something new… wrestling with uncertainty… or trying to faithfully discern your next step, this conversation will encourage you deeply. 🔑 What We Talk About Josh’s early decision to shift away from vocational ministry and into the marketplace Learning to recognize God’s voice through posture, discernment, and confirmation Why understanding your wiring and gifts matters in career decisions The difference between forcing opportunities and faithfully stewarding your growth How Josh helped build Cincinnati’s startup ecosystem during a season of city renewal The surprising dream that eventually led his family to move to Redding, California What it looked like to navigate a major geographic and professional pivot with wisdom Why faith-led decisions are not necessarily impulsive decisions The importance of transferable skills during career transitions Letting go of identity tied to titles, industries, or previous success The challenge of learning to say “no” in seasons of increased opportunity What it means to trust God even when you don’t fully understand the “why” 🧠 Key Takeaways1. God wastes nothing. One of the most encouraging parts of Josh’s story is seeing how the skills he developed in tech and entrepreneurship became foundational in completely different spaces later on. So often we think transitions mean starting over, but God is usually building on what He has already developed in us. 2. You don’t have to force your way into the right opportunities.Josh shared beautifully about learning not to fight for tables he wasn’t meant to sit at—and trusting that, over time, the right invitations would come. There’s freedom in realizing your job is not to prove yourself, but to faithfully steward who God created you to be. 3. Faith requires both courage and patience.Near the end of the conversation, Josh shared a prayer that really stayed with me: asking God for the kind of heart that can both say “yes” to Him and trust Him enough to not need the full picture right away. That’s mature faith—the willingness to step out in obedience while also trusting God with timing, outcomes, and legacy. 🎯 Listener ChallengeSpend a few quiet minutes with God this week and ask: “Lord, where are You asking me to say yes right now? And where are You asking me to trust You more patiently?” You may not have the whole picture yet. But God is faithful to guide us—one step, one season, and one invitation at a time. 🔗 Resources & Links📘 Book Josh Mentioned: Falling Upward by Richard Rohr 🌍 Learn more about the work Josh is doing in Redding: Good News Rescue Mission 🏡Josh’s company: Buildwise Supply 🔗 Connect with Joshua Johnson: LinkedIn
