Esprit de Corps means “the spirit of the body” and describes a defining aspect of what it means to be a U.S. Marine. This spirit is embodied in values such as Honor, Courage, and Commitment, with unity, motivation, and teamwork as its core tenets. I hesitate to even write about this because I have never been a Marine, and I do not want to bring any dishonor to the brave men and women of the Marine Corps. I reference esprit de corps here only as an illustrative example.
Lessons from the Police Academy
I remember going through the Police Academy and focusing heavily on the values we, as police officers, were expected to embody – both before and after we were sworn in. Those values closely mirrored those of the Marine Corps: Honor, Courage, Commitment, Teamwork, Fidelity, Integrity, and more. In a very real sense, we had our own esprit de corps.
Having never been in the military, this was my first experience learning what it meant to come to attention, salute, form lines, walk in formation, and properly wear a uniform. These practices taught me the importance of following the chain of command and staying in cadence with my sergeant and classmates. Any distraction or deviation from that cadence instantly caused dysfunction and chaos – followed quickly by a “chewing-out” and extra push-ups. As long as we stayed in step with our sergeant, things went smoothly.
When Values Become Ideals Instead of a Way of Life
One thing I noticed over time is that unless values are deeply rooted in who you are, they can slowly shift from being a way of life to becoming mere ideals – especially as a first responder’s career grows darker and more difficult. It’s not that those values stop mattering; rather, the weight of the job can gradually pull you away from the esprit de corps if you’re not careful.
Ironically, in moments of crisis, those values often rise to the surface and hold us together. But once the crisis passes, the same values that sustained us can be pushed aside again.
The Christian’s Esprit de Corps: The Spirit of the Body
As Christians, we also have an esprit de corps – the Spirit of the Body. The parallels are striking, though there are important differences.
The day you were saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), placing your trust in Jesus Christ – who died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day – you became a son or daughter of God (1 Corinthians 15:3–4; John 1:12). At that moment, the Holy Spirit came to live inside you, and your body became His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16). You were placed into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), commonly referred to as being “in Christ.”
With that placement came many realities and privileges that now belong to you as a child of God. I want to focus on a few of them here.
The Fruit of the Spirit Is Already Yours
Galatians 5:22–23 tells us:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”
This fruit – this evidence of the Holy Spirit living within you – is not something you have to manufacture. You received the Holy Spirit the day you were saved, and with Him came this fruit in its fullness.
Like Marines or first responders, believers have values we are called to live out. The difference is crucial: in one setting, those values must be worked toward and maintained through effort. As believers, these qualities already reside within us. As we grow in Christ, the fruit of the Spirit becomes increasingly evident in our daily lives.
When that fruit is absent, it is not because it has disappeared, but because we have chosen to walk in the flesh rather than be led by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 reminds us:
“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Why Focus on Joy?
For the remainder of this post, I want to focus on just one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit: joy. The same principles could easily apply to love or peace.
If joy is already mine in its fullness, why do I so often lack it? Am I supposed to be joyful at all times? And if so, what exactly is joy?
Most believers – and even some non-believers – recognize that happiness and joy are not the same thing. Happiness is often tied to favorable circumstances. Joy, however, can and should exist in the believer’s life regardless of circumstances. More on that in a moment.
“He’s Where the Joy Is”
This year, my daughter and I have been reading through the Bible together using The Bible Recap for Kids by Tara-Leigh Cobble. Each daily reading ends with the phrase: “He’s where the joy is!”
That simple sentence stopped me in my tracks. It caused me to reconsider not just the topic of joy, but its true source.
That led me to Paul’s letter to the Philippians – a letter centered more on joy and rejoicing than any other he wrote. When Paul penned this letter, he was imprisoned in Rome. Persecution and suffering for Christians were widespread throughout the Roman Empire, and only a few years later, under Nero, Paul would be martyred.
Long before that, however, Paul had already endured extraordinary suffering for Christ. So how could he write, in Philippians 4:4,
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”?
The answer is simple and profound: Paul learned that joy is not found in circumstances or people. Jesus is where the joy is.
Joy is the settled confidence and peace that comes from knowing Jesus is present with us at all times and in all places – and that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38–39). The worst our enemies can do is harm or kill the body; they can never take eternal life from us. And Jesus has promised that the best is yet to come.
How does this truth play out for first responders who repeatedly enter darkness – and sometimes return home to it?
How Darkness Erodes Joy
That darkness originates from multiple places: our own sin, the sin of others, and the brokenness of the world. Over time, even believing first responders can become jaded, cynical, and suspicious of everyone around them – including their own families. There is no joy there.
So how did we get here?
Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus Again
When we lose sight of our esprit de corps and our true position in Christ – our real identity—we have taken our eyes off the source of joy.
Hebrews 12:1–2 (CSB) tells us to:
“…lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
Verse 2 continues:
“For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.”
Jesus is our source of joy. In the midst of the greatest suffering ever known, He fixed His eyes on the Father and on the joy set before Him – the redemption of you and me. He endured the cross, paying a debt that should have been ours, and He did so with joy.
When we take our eyes off Jesus, we fall out of step with the Holy Spirit – who is always in step with Christ, who is always in step with the Father. Our cadence breaks down. And we begin asking questions like:
Is everyone else out of step – or is it just me?
Did the fruit of the Spirit run out?
Did Jesus abandon me?
Joy Belongs to You – But It Can Be Surrendered
Here’s the truth: joy belongs to you because you have the Holy Spirit. Nothing and no one can separate you from Him. And nothing and no one can take away the joy that is yours in Christ.
However, by taking your eyes off Jesus – by choosing sin or walking in the flesh – you can surrender your joy. When that happens, you lose the capacity to experience joy, even though it still belongs to you.
Returning to the Place of Joy
If you find yourself lacking joy, take inventory.
Are you reading Scripture so you can truly know who Jesus is and who you are in Him? Or are you choosing to live life your own way, only to discover the truth of Proverbs 14:12:
“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Maybe you know your identity in Christ but have forgotten what it means. Perhaps it’s time for a reminder.
Surrender your way by confessing sin. 1 John 1:9 promises:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
When we do this, fellowship with Him is restored. Remain in that posture of humble surrender – and you will find yourself once again in the place of experiencing joy.
If this article stirred something in you, you’re not alone. If you need prayer, support, or someone to connect with, we’re here to help you take the next step toward hope.Please reach out to us through our Contact Us page, or leave a comment below.
“Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.” Mark 6:51–52 (NASB)
The setting
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at various events for police and first responders. Many of these gatherings are Christian venues where I can boldly share spiritual truths connected to our profession as first responders. But even when the event is in a secular setting, my goal is always the same: to weave my faith in Jesus into the event and give an account for the hope that is in me. I trust God with each opportunity and acknowledge that I must rely on Him for the details and the power.
This approach has given me a front-row seat to watch the Lord work in ways I could never orchestrate on my own. It’s incredibly humbling to see how our great and awesome God invites us to participate in His work. Yet, I have noticed a pattern. Nearly every time, in the days or weeks that follow these ministry moments, I face a battle with unbelief. God will do something powerful and allow me to participate, and then suddenly discouragement, doubts, and unbelief rush in. Sometimes those emotions feel just as strong as the joy I experienced only hours earlier.
Taking it a step further, frustrating circumstances often accompany these moments of doubt and discouragement. It’s no coincidence. The Enemy wants nothing more than to rob us of joy and shift our focus from God to ourselves. Self-pity, perfectionism, and other various struggles compete for center stage within my mind. I have spoken to many others about this and recognize I am not alone.
Miracles and Unbelief
Toward the end of Mark 6, the disciples are struggling to row across the Sea of Galilee against strong winds, likely encountered only because Jesus Himself had commanded them to go (which is another great lesson). During this time, Jesus stayed behind to finish ministering to the crowd He had just fed by miraculously multiplying five loaves and two fish. Jesus then went up the mountain to pray. I can’t help but think that part of His prayer was specifically for His disciples, and it is key to remember He intercedes for each of us in the same way. So amazing that the Savior of the world prays for you and for me!
But despite these profound truths, circumstances and emotions often drive us to a different perspective. In Mark’s account, Jesus sees the disciples straining at the oars and walks out to them on the water. The Bible also tells us He intended to “pass by” them. He isn’t anxious or alarmed. He knows all and sees all. He is God. He loves His followers and never abandons them. Yet when the disciples see Jesus, they are terrified. Rather than faith, fear grips them. Even after Jesus gets into the boat, calms the storm, and brings immediate peace, unbelief still lingers.
From other Gospel accounts, we know this is the same moment when Peter steps out onto the waves, unleashing a personal battle of faith and doubt that mirrors the battles many of us have faced. As Jesus displays His miraculous power of walking on water, empowering Peter to do the same, rescuing him in fear, and calming the sea in seconds, the overarching reactive theme is not faith, but unbelief and hardened hearts.
Astonishing unbelief.
Hardened Hearts and Spiritual Blinders
Within hours, the disciples had witnessed and participated in significant miraculous works by Jesus. More than 5,000 people were satisfied with a few loaves and fish. Jesus walked on water, allowed Peter to do the same, rescued Peter as he sank, and instantaneously calmed a violent storm. Yet, the disciples still struggled to believe. It is easy to shake my head and imagine that I would have responded differently. But I know me. I quickly recall how often I’ve seen God powerfully work, and in the next moment, I battle unbelief. Even with the Holy Spirit in me, I can instantly put on spiritual blinders and miss the truth right in front of me.
Why is this?
Circumstances are powerful. Emotions are powerful, and the battle is real. Scripture describes this reality not just as a battle but more like a war (Romans 7). Galatians 5 tells us, “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another…” This war is constant, and as I regularly tell Believers, it can be absolutely exhausting. When storms feel endless, and emotions perpetuate the belief that feelings supersede truth, my heart can easily harden in unbelief.
Recognizing Predictable Patterns and Combating Lies
For me, God helps me gain perspective by identifying specific things that contribute to unbelief. As mentioned earlier, I’ve noticed there’s a predictable pattern. These attacks often follow meaningful times of ministry. After a Bible study, an inspiring event, or a refreshing retreat, these are the moments when some of the greatest battles present themselves. The Enemy attacks what God advances. Being aware of this doesn’t eliminate the struggle, but it prepares me to recognize it quicker and resist it more effectively. If unbelief thrives on distorting emotions and circumstances, then our primary weapon against it is truth. Not some vague or secular truth, but specific spiritual truth applied intentionally:
· Remembering specifically what God has done.
· Reading Scripture.
· Reciting God’s promises and thanking Him for each one.
· Recalling and sharing with others what God has done.
Another interesting note is that Jesus didn’t focus on reprimanding the disciples for their unbelief; He came to them. He calmed both the storm and their fears. He does the same with us. We don’t put our heads in the sand and pretend storms don’t exist, but rather, we remember who is present with us through them. The disciples were astonished because they did not understand the many miracles they witnessed firsthand, including being in the physical presence of Jesus. Doubts and unbelief had hardened their hearts. It is essential for us to recognize that we are susceptible to the exact same sin of astonishing unbelief.
Conversely, it is important to understand that astonishment can move us toward a deeper faith. When I face discouragement after moments of ministry, when emotions overshadow truth, and when storms rage loudly, I want to choose a different astonishment. I want to be astonished by how endlessly patient, powerful, and faithful Jesus is. The same Savior who walked on water, multiplied bread, prayed for His disciples, rescued Peter, and calmed the storm is with us today. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
My prayer is that our astonishment will lead us away from unbelief and move us to worship, trust, and deepen our faith in the presence of our Savior.
If this story stirred something in you, you’re not alone. If you need prayer, support, or someone to connect with, we’re here to help you take the next step toward hope.Please reach out to us through our Contact Us page, or leave a comment below.
Why are we not seeing the statistics improving in suicides, mental health, addictions, and divorces among our nation’s 4.6 million first responders, and their families? Why are more and more referring to the efforts and programs as “wellness noise,” driven by money, or only used to check the box? Is there something we are missing?
Obviously, genuine programs, solid leadership, culturally competent support, and proactive solutions are necessary, but beyond these is there something we are still missing?
The Missing Piece: Finding “Real Hope”
I would argue, Yes… The missing piece is Real Hope.
While it is great to see an increase in awareness, programs, and resources, most are only offering a band aid to address a gushing wound. The first responder wellness movement is struggling to keep up, still leaving the situation far worse than most can imagine, and not offering Real Hope.
The “House of Cards” Reality
Most first responders, after getting hired, quickly embrace a “new normal,” just to survive. They build their careers on a “house of cards,” with an unstable foundation and just one personal or professional crisis away from crumbling.
Unfortunately, they don’t see the warning signs, believe it could happen to them, or talk about it until it is too late and they have lost control and hope.
First responders have mastered the ability to suppress the internal issues publicly, and still perform exceptionally and heroically on a daily basis. So, what is the missing piece being ignored?
Integrating Faith and Spirituality
Spirituality (and here is where I will lose most readers).
“For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come… For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” – 1 Timothy 4:8,10
When I served as an officer for the Seattle Police Department, I struggled in my faith. I realized I was unable to do it on my own and recognized my faith in Christ was the missing piece. When I trained resilience and wellness and led our department’s peer support team, this was the missing piece.
When I oversaw the chaplaincy program and partnered with outside support organizations, this was the missing piece. When I spoke with church leadership, I noticed they didn’t understand the first responder culture or know how to support them either.
Bridging the Gap: The Role of the Church and Leadership
So, my question became, how do first responders and their families receive spiritual support and guidance through these difficult careers? What was my role and what should your role be? What can the church do? How can we all point them towards Real Hope in Christ?
The first step is seeing the need individually and organizationally. The second is taking action to do something about it.
Within agencies, Christian first responders should be courageous to step up, and lead by example. Even if they are the only one, which was how I felt.
Chaplains, trainers, and support organizations should boldly and respectfully point first responders towards Real Hope, without fear or pressure from the culture dictating how they provide that support.
The Church should learn to come alongside these brave men and women and their families. They have an opportunity to humbly learn the culture, build supportive relationships, and offer necessary Hope, that cannot be found elsewhere.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
A Call to Action: The 2026 National First Responder Networking Conference
We have an unprecedented opportunity at this time in history, to come together for a purpose. Mission First Alliance is bringing Real Hope to our nation’s first responders and their families, by uniting and equipping all who have a heart to reach them for Christ. You are not alone.
We are calling all first responders and spouses, ministry leaders, church leaders, business leaders, and chaplains who are willing to step into the gap. God is calling, will you respond?
Join us as we gather leaders together for the purpose of networking, collaboration, and encouragement so more first responders and their families can be reached with Real Hope in Christ. Together, we can have a greater Kingdom Impact. You won’t want to miss it.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation…… we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Victor Frankl.
While we cannot change the nature of the work and the impact it will have on us and our families, we can change how we lead ourselves and others, towards Real Hope.
If this story stirred something in you, you’re not alone. If you need prayer, support, or someone to connect with, we’re here to help you take the next step toward hope.Please reach out to us through our Contact Us page, or leave a comment below.
Several years ago, my wife, Jennifer, and I had the opportunity to buy a beautiful piece of property in Montana. At the time, we could see God moving and directing, though we weren’t entirely sure what the bigger picture would be. Over the next several years, we walked the land, prayed, and dreamed. We imagined building a retreat for first responders—a place for rest, recalibration, and quiet. Each time I visited, I experienced those very things deeply. I needed them, and I longed for others in the service professions to experience them too.
Year by year, more details came together, and we saw God provide. We purchased equipment and slowly began designing and building areas around the property. Then, the unimaginable happened: Jennifer and I both sensed that God was calling us to give up the property. I struggled with this even more than Jennifer. Why, Lord? Was this all wasted time? What are we supposed to learn from this?
Those questions and more bounced around in my mind. Often, I felt I had more questions than answers. I could list all the ways God had opened doors for this dream to move forward. Yet, in the end, God had different plans. We sold the property and set this dream aside.
Dreams, Ambitions, and Goals—Anchored in Christ
We all have dreams. Some are big and bold; others are quiet and personal. They shape our ambitions and goals, fueling our efforts and directing our plans. But life often confronts us with reality—unexpected detours, closed doors, or seasons when progress feels painfully slow.
From a Christian worldview, these moments aren’t just obstacles; they are invitations. They call us to remember who we are in Christ, the freedom we have in Him, and the truth that our value isn’t measured by our accomplishments but by our relationship with the One who made us.
It is imperative to focus on these truths. We are not our own. We are not called to “live our best lives.” We are called to walk daily with our Savior, loving Him and loving others. That is our mission.
Who We Are in Christ
When our dreams seem delayed or diminished, it’s tempting to define ourselves by the gap between where we are and where we want to be. Yet Scripture reminds us that our identity is secure:
• We are children of God (John 1:12).
• We are forgiven and free (Galatians 5:1).
• We are God’s workmanship, created for good works He prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10).
Our worth doesn’t rise or fall with the success of our plans. It is rooted in Christ’s finished work. Scripture is overflowing with these truths and promises, yet we often linger in falsehoods and wrong thinking.
The Trap of Comparison
One of the great enemies of God-given dreams is comparison. We see what others are doing—how far they’ve gone, how successful they appear—and we start to measure our progress against theirs. But God never calls us to live someone else’s story.
Jesus didn’t say, “Follow your dreams,” or “Work hard and keep up with others.” He said, “Follow Me.”
When we seek what God wants for our lives instead of chasing what others seem to achieve, we are freed from the exhausting treadmill of comparison. Our perspective shifts, helping us focus on the vertical rather than the horizontal. When we keep God in the driver’s seat, we experience freedom and peace that surpass all understanding.
Freedom and Reliance in Christ
True freedom in Christ means we are no longer bound by the fear of failure, the weight of comparison, or the need to prove ourselves. Reliance on Christ reminds us that we don’t have to carry the burden of making everything happen in our own strength.
Paul put it plainly: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). We work faithfully, but God is the one who brings the harvest.
Still, this truth is often easier to acknowledge than to live out. I frequently nod in agreement, only to be rattled when things don’t work out the way I dreamed, planned, or expected. And this lesson is never one-and-done, although I sometimes wish it were. Over and over, I’ve had to relearn it. Yet, each time, God uses it to simplify my life, to call me to be still, to surrender, and to draw nearer to Him. Each time, new growth appears, pointing back to His amazing work of grace.
Working in the Lane God Gives Us
God gives each of us unique skills, gifts, and abilities. When we focus on stewarding those well instead of wishing for someone else’s, we find a deep sense of purpose and joy.
Proverbs 12:11 says, “Those who till their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”Similarly, Proverbs 28:19 repeats: “Those who till their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.”
The “land” here represents what God has entrusted to us—our talents, opportunities, and callings. When we tend to our land diligently, trusting God with the results, we flourish. But when we abandon our God-given lane to chase someone else’s dream, the world’s definition of success, or selfish ambition, we end up empty.
God Owns It All
Shortly after we purchased the Montana property, we named it Thousand Hills Ranch after Psalm 50. We wanted to acknowledge that all resources belong to God and that we are simply stewards of what He entrusts to us.
Psalm 50:10 declares: “For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.” This isn’t just poetic imagery—it’s reality. God owns everything. He’s not limited by scarcity, human timelines, or the world’s definition of success.
If He owns it all and is involved in every detail, we can trust Him not only with our needs but also with our dreams. Our ambitions are safest in His hands because His perspective is perfect and His resources are limitless—even when He reminds us to hold things loosely and give up good things.
Living the Reality
Dreams, ambitions, and goals are good things—gifts from God—but they must be held with open hands. Reality will test them, reshape them, and sometimes even replace them with something better or completely unexpected.
The real question is not, “Am I doing as well as others?” but rather, “Am I walking in step with what God wants for me?”
When we seek Him first, tend faithfully to what He’s given us, and trust Him with the outcome, we can live with both ambition and peace. We can dream boldly without being crushed by disappointment, because our hope rests not in the dream itself, but in the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills—and the path of our lives
If this story stirred something in you, you’re not alone. If you need prayer, support, or someone to connect with, we’re here to help you take the next step toward hope.Please reach out to us through our Contact Us page, or leave a comment below.
I waited patiently for the Lord, and he turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and they will trust in the Lord – Psalm 40:1-3 CSB
These three verses of scripture from the Psalms resonate deeply when we reflect on all that God has delivered us from and walked with us through. We could read these three verses of scripture to the younger version of us in our teens, twenties, thirties, forties, and beyond. I say this because far too often when we are traveling through a difficult trial or season of life, it can be a challenge to see the peace and lessons learned that await us on the other side. Rest assured, God is with you in every storm, and He desires for you to come into His presence to receive His peace.
clarity & gratitude gained through daily trust
Personally, when I read these verses, it provokes a great amount of reflection over my own personal life and professional career. From the early days of being a Deputy Sheriff in my twenties praying to God to clear the path prior to my arrival on a “Hot Call,” to losing Brothers in Law Enforcement that I was close to, calling out to God to wash me clean from all that my eyes have seen, and now to retirement, these verses have provided the confirmation that His peace-filled presence has remained with me from the beginning to now.
The one confirmation of absolute truth is that God alone provides the way and the strength through all that this life and our journey as a Christian First Responder will ever hand us. Why? The answer to why is found only in The Way. The Way is Jesus Christ and He is also our source for truth and life. Jesus Christ is The Way to the Father, and the Father created us in His own image, that we too may be a light unto others. This became clear to me in a difficult season of life when I faced my own sinful, destructive choices, and finally surrendered my entire life to Jesus Christ. I began to truly abide (trust) in Him, I prayed and read the word of God daily. Through repentance and coming clean with God, I could now relate to Psalm 40:1-3 with great clarity and daily gratitude, which led to my personal growth.
how to find Gratitude in Every Season
Be encouraged today and always to take the time away from the profession to enter into His presence and survey your own life. How has God showed up for you and how is He walking with you right now? How has God provided for you, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially? Allow God to wash you from all that you too have seen, heard, and experienced, both personally and professionally. He will renew your mind and restore your soul. God desires to hear from you daily, He will take on your burdens, pain, and any struggles you may be experiencing in this life.
I conclude with these powerful lyrics from the popular song, “Dear Younger Me” performed by the contemporary Christian band, Mercy Me:
“Every mountain, every valley, Through each heartache you will see, Every moment brings you closer, To who you were meant to be.
May God bless you today and always as you continue to run your race with perseverance. Many in the Mission First Alliance have you covered in prayer, to include myself, and we will continue to.
Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. – James 1:2 CSB
Mission First Alliance exists to equip, encourage, and connect all those who seek to reach First Responders with the hope of the gospel. Contact us here if you need help or prayer.
Every year there is a lot of attention and pressure in creating new goals and improving and in many cases reinventing ourselves. I cannot count the number of times I’ve heard the phrase new year new year. But I would like to pose this for thought, what does a new you really mean?
The Bible says that being in Christ means being a new creation with the old passing away and new things coming. Consider the following verses:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away behold all things have become new.” 2nd Corinthians 5:17
“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20
If you have already accepted Jesus into your life, you are already made new. What comes next is simply redemption of brokenness. A constant refining process as we become who God created us to be, drawing closer to the Savior, we desire to be more like him. While many of our goals are professional in nature or rooted in well-being, I challenge you to bring them back to the foundation of our anointing, our calling, our purpose and who we are in the Lord.
What is required of us is not reinvention, and by all accounts that’s good news!
When we think about our well-being goals through the lens of how Christ sees us and what the Bible says about being a part of the body of Christ, we can start to reframe the why behind wellness and our goals. If we stop beating ourselves up about what we do wrong, what we need to do better, and how deficient we are, and remember how we were created with purpose, uniquely and beautifully, and that every painful experience, every lack we feel we have, every failure, can be used by God for glory and testimony, we realize that we truly are simply clay for the Father’s molding.
We don’t have to become NEW. That has already been accomplished through Christ’s sacrifice and redemption. We simply need to intentionally practice being good stewards of all that God has blessed us with: our body, our finances, our freedom- the opportunity we have in faith, in commerce, in the ability to be a voice and a changemaker.
In the New Year, don’t commit to a new you. Commit to a more intentional and aware version of the beautiful person inside and out you already are.
Be intentional and aware about what we put in our bodies: the food we eat, the things we watch and listen to, even what chemicals we have in our environment. Treat your body like the temple it is.
Be intentional and aware about what we do: ensure we practice self-care, move our bodies, and take actions that bridge gaps that keep us from meeting our goals.
Be intentional and aware with our time: time is our one non-renewable resource that costs us the most. Take control of the minutes: plan them well and hold yourself accountable. Schedule time for rest and joy.
Be intentional and aware with our resources: start by identifying needless waste and then work towards simple tactics that make you fully aware of where each of your resources/dollars go and if the value for that spend is justifiable through the lens of your goals.
Be intentional and aware of relationships: with yourself, with the Lord, and with others (professional and personal). Relationships have a significant impact on our well-being. When we don’t foster positive behaviors: love, respect, compassion, understanding, patience, and awareness of needs with ourselves and with others, it can significantly impact our well-being and often that of others.
In 2025, I challenge you to make your goals about the outcome that results from intentionality in our daily habits and behaviors and not about how YOU measure up. Remember who you are in Christ and who we were created to be. Keep Him at the center of your why and make your time and relationship with Him as a top priority.
With that, 2025 will surely lead to personal growth and Spiritual harvest.
