Beyond the Elevator Pitch: When God Asks 'What Do You Do?'

"What do you do?" It's the most common question in professional settings, and you've probably perfected your elevator pitch for networking events and client meetings. But what happens when God Himself looks into your soul and asks that same question? A powerful dream revelation taught me why every Christian entrepreneur needs more than a standard elevator pitch—we need a kingdom-integrated response that bridges career networking with spiritual calling.

Beyond the Elevator Pitch: When God asks, "What do you do?"

The Dream That Changed My Elevator Pitch Forever

A couple of nights ago, I had a dream that awakened me, not just from sleep, but to a truth about identity, purpose, and what we really "do" as followers of Christ. Scripture reminds us: 

“For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instructions.” Job 33:14-16, NKJV

In the dream, I found myself in a university dining hall. I knew I was a professor, going about my normal academic life. I was standing at a table trying to get something to eat—saltine crackers and lettuce, of all things. But every time I tried to put lettuce on the crackers, the lettuce kept jumping off!

I was getting somewhat embarrassed by this ridiculous struggle when I noticed a woman across the room who appeared to be from the first century AD—perhaps Jewish, with her hair tied back in a ponytail. She certainly didn’t appear to be a student, staff member, or university faculty member. She was a symbolic dream anachronism. 

I didn't want to stare and make her feel self-conscious, but she was staring directly at me. When we made eye contact, it was as if she were directly across from me. She then asked me the most common question in professional settings: "So, what do you do?"

I stammered through my usual response, explaining that I am a university professor, detailing my academic credentials, research agenda, service responsibilities, and teaching load. Standard elevator pitch material.

But she looked at me—not wondering about what my CV contained, not at my professional accomplishments—but directly into my soul. With quiet intensity, she repeated the question: "What do you do?"

In that moment, something shifted. This wasn't about my job description or career achievements. As Holocaust survivor and psychologist Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) taught us: we have a body and a mind, but what we ARE is spirit. This mysterious woman wasn't asking about what my body does or what my mind knows—she was asking about who my spirit truly is. This was about my true calling, my real identity, my actual purpose on this earth!

Without thinking, I blurted out: "I shine the Light of Christ so that others may see it and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior."

She smiled slightly, nodded with approval, and simply said, "That's what you do."

Then she disappeared, and I awoke.

The Elevator Pitch vs. The Kingdom Identity

That dream has haunted me in the best possible way. It forced me to confront the difference between my professional elevator pitch and my kingdom identity statement.

My Professional Elevator Pitch:

"As a retired counselor education professor, I now help people find meaning and purpose despite suffering through a distinctively Christian counseling lens."

My Kingdom Identity Statement:

"I shine the Light of Christ so that others may see it and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior."

Both are true. Both are important. But only one defines who I really am and what I'm ultimately called to do.

The apostle Paul reminds us:

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20, NKJV.

This is our true identity—not our job titles, but our ambassadorial calling.

The Question We All Face: Secular vs. Kingdom Identity

As Christian entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals, we live in two worlds. We have legitimate careers, valuable skills, and important work to do in the marketplace. Our elevator pitches aren't lies—they're accurate descriptions of our professional contributions.

But here's what that mysterious woman in my dream helped me understand: Our jobs are not our identity. Our professions are not our purpose. Our careers are simply the platforms God has given us to fulfill our true calling. Paul writes:

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" 1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV.

The apostle Paul was a tentmaker by trade, but that wasn't his identity. He was an apostle, called to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. The tentmaking was simply how he supported his ministry and connected with people in the marketplace. I see this same integration today in business owners like Mike Deegan at Iron Mantis Martial Arts, who seamlessly weaves Christian virtues and biblical principles into his martial arts instruction, transforming a physical discipline into spiritual discipleship.

What if we started thinking about our elevator pitches the same way?

Jesus Himself taught us about this integrated approach:

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" Matthew 5:16, NKJV.

Our professional excellence becomes the platform for His light to shine.

Beyond Testimony to Mission Statement

This revelation helped me distinguish between two important but different presentations we need as Christians:

Our Testimony answers: "How did you become a Christian?"

This is our conversion story—the journey from darkness to light, the moment we accepted Christ, the transformation He's worked in our lives.

Our Mission Statement answers: "What do you do as a Christian?"

This is our kingdom identity—the unique way God uses our gifts, experiences, and platforms to shine His light and draw others to Him.

Both are crucial. Both have their place. But when God asks, "What do you do?" I don't believe He's asking for our testimony. I think He's asking for our mission statement.

Developing Your Kingdom Elevator Pitch

So how do we bridge the gap between our professional identity and our kingdom calling? How do we develop an elevator pitch that honors both our marketplace role and our ambassadorial mission?

First, let's abandon the myth of "balance." Many people struggle endlessly with achieving a "work-life balance," constantly shifting their attention between professional and personal priorities.

But balance never works because one side always demands more attention, creating an endless cycle of frustration. Just as one aspect achieves dominance, the neglected side demands its due, and the seesaw tips again.

The solution isn't balance—it's integration. We don't need to balance our professional and spiritual identities; we need to integrate them into one unified life and one authentic elevator pitch.

For Christians, this means developing a hybrid response that fuses both our marketplace calling and our kingdom identity into a seamless whole.

This integration reminds me of the ancient Tai Chi symbol, also known as Yin-Yang. While it appears to represent balance, it actually depicts something far more profound: two distinct elements flowing together in perfect harmony, creating one unified whole.

Our professional calling and our kingdom identity aren't meant to balance against each other—they're meant to flow together, each containing elements of the other, creating one integrated life that reflects Christ's wholeness.

Here are some examples of what this integration might look like:

The Christian Business Owner:

Professional: "I run a marketing agency that helps small businesses grow their online presence." Kingdom: "I use my marketing expertise to serve entrepreneurs while demonstrating integrity, excellence, and Christ's love in every client relationship."

The Christian Teacher:

Professional: "I teach fifth grade at Lincoln Elementary School." Kingdom: "I shape young minds and hearts, planting seeds of truth, character, and hope that will influence the next generation."

The Christian Healthcare Worker:

Professional: "I'm a registered nurse in the cardiac unit at Regional Medical Center." Kingdom: "I provide healing and comfort to patients and families during their most vulnerable moments, being Christ's hands and heart in their time of need."

The Christian Entrepreneur:

Professional: "I develop software solutions for small businesses." Kingdom: "I create tools that help Christian business owners succeed with integrity while building platforms for ministry and kingdom impact."

The Weight and Privilege of Representation

Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in "The Chosen," was once asked in an interview: "If you could sit down with Jesus and ask Him one question, what would it be?"

His response: "How did I do?"

That question has stayed with me because it captures the heart of kingdom living. We're not just pursuing career success or business growth—we're representing Christ in everything we do.

The real question isn't "How did I perform professionally?" but "How faithfully did I represent You, Lord? How clearly did Your light shine through me today?"

This transforms how we approach our work:

• Every client interaction becomes a ministry opportunity

• Every business decision reflects our kingdom values

• Every challenge becomes a chance to demonstrate faith under pressure

• Every success becomes an opportunity to give glory to God

Your Divine Appointments Are Waiting

Here's what I've learned: God doesn't ask us to choose between professional excellence and kingdom service. He asks us to integrate them. As Scripture teaches us:

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24, NKJV.

He places us in specific industries, roles, and relationships not by accident, but by divine appointment. As I've written before, God schedules these encounters in everyday moments.

Your expertise isn't separate from your ministry—it IS your ministry platform. Your business isn't competing with kingdom work—it IS kingdom work. Your profession isn't taking time away from serving God—it IS how you serve God.

The Challenge

So let me ask you the same question that mysterious woman asked me in my dream, the same question God is asking each of us:

What do you do?

Not what's your job title. Not what industry you're in. Not what services you provide.

What do you REALLY do?

When you can answer that question with the same clarity and conviction that comes from knowing your true kingdom identity, you'll discover that your elevator pitch becomes more than a networking tool—it becomes a mission statement that transforms both your work and your witness.

How Did You Do Today?

As you go about your work this week, whether you're in boardrooms or break rooms, client meetings or classroom settings, ask yourself Jonathan Roumie's question: "How did I do, Lord?" Starting each day with intentional prayer can help you maintain this kingdom perspective throughout your professional interactions.

Not how did you perform professionally, but how faithfully did you represent Christ? How clearly did His light shine through your words, actions, and character? How effectively did you use your platform to point others toward Him?

Because that's what we really do. We shine the Light of Christ so that others may see it and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Everything else is just the platform He's given us to do it.

Develop Your Kingdom Identity

Ready to move beyond professional networking to kingdom representation? Here are some next steps:

Reflect: What's the difference between your elevator pitch and your kingdom identity statement?

Pray: Ask God to show you how He wants to use your professional platform for His purposes.

Practice: Develop language that naturally integrates your faith perspective into professional conversations.

Represent: Look for daily opportunities to let Christ's light shine through your work excellence and character. This is exactly what we mean by faith in action - putting our beliefs into practice through our professional platforms.

Related Posts:

• Why Are We Here? Divine Appointments and Purpose

• Christianity and Martial Arts: Mike Deegan's Integration of Faith at Iron Mantis Martial Arts

• When Faith Becomes Commerce: A Call to Return to Gospel Truth

What's your kingdom elevator pitch? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I'd love to hear how God is using your professional platform for His purposes.