Hometown Prophet

They say prophets aren’t often welcome in their hometown.

I think I heard Jesus say that once or twice—and He was right.

It’s interesting how often we search for wisdom, encouragement, or direction from people far away rather than from those closest to us. We assume that somewhere out there, someone we’ve never met, someone with a platform or a following has the answers we need.

In today’s social-media-driven world, it’s easy to become obsessed with advice coming from afar. Someone thousands of miles away can become our guide while the people God has placed right beside us remain overlooked.

But just yesterday I had the opportunity to learn from someone I know well—someone I trust and respect.

Matt Wooster made himself available to a room of men at the Christian Business Men’s Connection. He shared his story with honesty and vulnerability, walking us through the lessons God has taught him through business, family, and most importantly through faith.

Even though Matt is someone I know well, I filled two pages with notes.

The learning was incredible.

It reminded me how familiarity can sometimes rob us of hearing God’s voice. The wisdom we’re searching for might be right under our noses, and God delights when we pause long enough to notice.

Here are a few things I learned from Wooster.

1. High Performance Needs a Harness

There is nothing wrong with pursuing excellence. High performance can be a powerful and honorable pursuit.

But without a harness around why we are striving, achievement can quickly become a treadmill. We keep chasing the next milestone without ever stopping to ask why it matters.

Many leaders and high achievers eventually run into this wall. Success piles up, yet clarity disappears.

Without faith anchoring our ambition, we can end up serving the next altar or idol in our path rather than honoring God.

Anchor yourself to Christ. Let your pursuit of excellence point upward—not just forward.

2. If God Wants Your Attention, He’ll Get It

Sometimes God whispers.

Sometimes He taps us gently on the shoulder.

And sometimes, as Matt shared honestly, it takes something much louder—like a battle with brain cancer—to get our attention.

God will pursue our hearts.

It’s worth asking ourselves: What might God be trying to show me right now?
Where might He be calling my focus?

If He’s knocking today, don’t ignore it.

3. God Often Uses Unexpected Messengers

Throughout Scripture, God consistently delivers His message through unlikely people.

A shepherd boy.
A fisherman.
A tax collector.

In Matt’s case, the invitation that changed everything came from his wife’s hairdresser.

At a moment when Matt was physically and spiritually at a low point, God used someone unexpected to extend an invitation that would reshape his life.

When we are weak, God often introduces His strength.

4. Bold Invitations Change Lives

That hairdresser didn’t stay quiet.

She didn’t assume it wasn’t her place.

She didn’t offer a casual “good luck.”

She saw a man who needed something bigger than himself—and she knew that answer was Jesus.

So she gave him a simple but bold invitation:

“Come to church with us this Sunday.”

Not passively.

Not vaguely.

Specifically.

There was a place.
There was a time.
There was a seat waiting.

It reminds me of the way Jesus invited people in Scripture.

“Follow me.”

Not “go home and get everything organized first.”
Not “make sure all your plans are perfect.”

Just come.

I’m right here.

5. Eternal Motivation Changes Everything

Matt shared three motivations that guide his life today.

a. The Judgment Seat of Christ

Every one of us will stand before Christ.

In that moment, the temporary things of this world will fade away like dust. What will remain are the things that touched eternity.

People.

Lives impacted for Heaven.

Matt is motivated by the idea that the product of his life might show up in eternity.

That’s a powerful aim.

b. Stewardship of What We Were Given

Jesus teaches this clearly in the parable of the talents.

We are all given something—time, talent, influence, resources.

Those who multiply what they were given share in the master’s joy.

Those who bury it out of fear give a very different account.

The calling is simple:
Use what you were given.

Invest your gifts, your time, and your resources in ways that honor God.

c. Eternal Rewards

Jesus told us to store our treasure in heaven rather than on earth.

That requires faith. It requires trusting that generosity and obedience are the greatest investment strategy in existence.

Matt understands that eternal returns far outweigh earthly ones—and he’s motivated to live accordingly.

Created for Something

Matt finished his talk with Ephesians 2:10:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We are saved by grace through faith. That gift is freely given through Christ.

But that salvation also comes with purpose.

God has good work prepared for us.

Matt wrestled for years trying to understand his Ephesians 2:10 purpose, but today he knows it.

The specifics are different for each of us—but the calling is universal.

God has meaningful work for every one of us to do alongside Him.

And it’s worth taking the time to figure out what that is.

Don’t Wait

God is beside you today.

He may be speaking in a whisper.
He may be speaking through someone close to you.
He may even be speaking through a “hometown prophet.”

Spend time asking Him about your purpose.

Be bold like the hairdresser when someone needs encouragement.

If you’re in a moment of weakness, be willing to receive wisdom from the people God has placed around you.

And if you’re searching for guidance, ask yourself a simple question:

Who do I already know that I could take out for coffee and learn from?

Seek, and you will find.
Knock, and the door will be opened.

Matt—thank you for your leadership and your faith.

I’m happy to learn from this hometown prophet anytime.

-Mark