All photos credited to Wende Grubbs of Bless the Badge.
When Rest Feels Like the Wrong Move
I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Florida Leaders’ Summit this month, and I’m still basking in all that the Lord has done.
I went in expecting it to be valuable. I had no idea how much the Lord would meet me there.
Time with other leaders. Good conversations. Shared mission. Sign me up.
But if I’m honest, I also came in with a mindset I’ve carried for a long time:
Stay engaged. Stay productive. Keep things moving.
And then I was asked not to work.
I was honored with the gift of space to rest… and I knew I had been needing this very thing. I was so excited to rest! But even while preparing, I kept catching myself thinking of all I could accomplish while away from home, and its distractions.
Even there… I wrestled… I didn’t feel like I had time to fully step away.
And I realized pretty quickly—I didn’t just need rest… I had to work at not working.
Not casually. Intentionally.
That tension stayed with me all week.
Because everything in me kept saying: There’s more to do.
Called… and Still With Him
When you are called, it’s hard not to live in a constant sense of urgency.
The burden for those you serve is real. The need is real.
In first responder ministry, there are no true slow seasons. The job doesn’t stop… so the need doesn’t either.
In Exodus 34, we drop in on Moses attempting to lead the children of Israel to the promised land.
And honestly, it’s not going as well as he had hoped. They just sinned and made a golden calf to worship. The covenant had been broken, and God was ready to unleash wrath on them.
Moses interceded for them, God remembers His promises, relents from destroying them, and then he intercedes again, asking God not just to save them, but to forgive them – willing to stand in their place. Moses understood the call to give up all of himself.
He was actively leading people who are difficult, unpredictable, and constantly in need, carrying a responsibility that most of us can’t fully comprehend. And he knew how much he needed God. In Exodus 33:15, he said, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.” Moses hit a turning point. A ‘I won’t move without you’ moment.
God’s response? “My presence shall go with you…” Exodus 33:14a
But God didn’t stop there. He finished with such a gracious response. “…and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14b
Rest is not separate from His presence.
It is found in it.
The Promise That Holds It Together
This wasn’t isolated. Right in the middle of his calling, in the middle of the wilderness wanderings, Moses had stepped away from the work to be in God’s presence, not for just a morning devotional time, not because it was downtime in between events…
“So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights…” — Exodus 34:28 (NASB)
He didn’t step away because the work was done.
He stepped into the presence of God while the work was still very real.
And when it says he was with the Lord – that is no small thing.
The phrase “with the Lord” used here carries the idea of being before the face of God—not just near Him, but positioned in intentional, relational nearness.
And this wasn’t brief.
Forty days. Forty nights.
Sustained, uninterrupted communion.
The Result of Being With Him
Moses comes down the mountain and doesn’t even realize what has happened:
“Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him.” — Exodus 34:29 (NASB)
It wasn’t manufactured.
It wasn’t strategic.
It was the result of being with God long enough to be changed by Him.
That’s the part that has stayed with me.
Not just that Moses went up the mountain… but that something in him was shaped there that he could not have produced any other way.
And it takes humility to believe that.
To believe that being before His face long enough to be shaped by Him is actually the key to leading well.
What Moses experienced on the mountain is what Paul later describes:
“But we all… beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image…” — 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB)
Transformation doesn’t come from pressure.
It comes from proximity.
From staying before Him long enough to be changed.
A Moment That Reveals the Difference
Not long after this, Moses is back at it – leading, interceding, navigating conflict, carrying the people forward.
But something is different.
There is clarity. There is authority. There is a steadiness that wasn’t there before.
Why?
Because he didn’t skip the mountain.
He didn’t rush past being with God to get back to leading for God.
The Resistance We Don’t Always Name
This is where Isaiah 30 hits hard.
God offers something simple, but costly:
“In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength. But you were not willing.” — Isaiah 30:15 (NASB)
The words matter here:
Repentance (shuv) — to turn back, to return
Rest (nachat) — to settle, to be at ease
Quietness (shaqat) — to be undisturbed
Trust (bitchah) — confidence, security
Strength is found in returning, settling, and trusting.
But the turning point in the verse isn’t the offer.
It’s the response:
“But you were not willing.”
That’s what I felt at the summit.
Not unwilling in a rebellious way… but unwilling in a quiet, internal resistance to letting go.
Because rest requires something of us:
It requires us to stop carrying what we’ve been holding and trust that God can sustain what we’ve been trying to manage.
The Call to Be Still
Scripture keeps reinforcing this same invitation:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
“So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God… the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works…” — Hebrews 4:9–10 (NASB)
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (NASB)
This is not passive.
This is not disengagement.
This is a deliberate release of self-reliance.
abiding: the only way this works
Jesus brings it into full clarity:
“Abide in Me, and I in you.” — John 15:4 (NASB)
“As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself… so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”
“Apart from Me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (NASB)
To abide is to remain. To stay.
Not visit. Not check in.
Stay.
This is the only way calling becomes sustainable.
What Changed for Me
As the summit went on, and I kept choosing to step away from work—even when it felt unnatural—something shifted.
Not dramatically. Not instantly.
But steadily.
I was more present in conversations. More aware of the people in front of me. More able to receive encouragement instead of just giving it.
Less driven to manage the moment… and more able to simply be in it.
And the relationships that formed in those spaces— they weren’t secondary to the mission.
They were part of it.
That doesn’t happen when we’re constantly moving.
It happens when we’re willing to slow down enough to actually be there.
Why This Matters for Us
For those of us serving first responders, leading ministries, carrying real weight—this matters more than we often acknowledge.
Because there will always be:
another need
another call
another situation that requires attention
The work doesn’t slow down.
Which means we have to decide:
Will we try to sustain it ourselves? Or will we allow God to sustain us in it?
An Invitation
Rest is not the absence of calling. It is the posture that makes calling sustainable.
So this is an encouragement—especially if you feel like you don’t have time for it:
Take the time anyway.
Whether that’s at a Leaders Summit, the National Conference, or simply setting aside intentional space—
Dare to stop the work of your hands. Bend your knee.
Not because the work isn’t important— but because you believe He can do more than you ever could.
And that being with Him is not a delay to the mission…
It’s what makes it possible.
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.
To sign up for our next Leaders’ Summit or register for the National Networking Conference, visit our Events page.
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.
We are honored to announce the launch of the Living Mission First Podcast, premiering on January 29, 2026.
Real Stories of Real Hope for First Responders.
For more than two years, we’ve talked about the need for a podcast like this. Every day, first responders run toward chaos, tragedy, and darkness, often carrying burdens few people ever see. They need hope. They need encouragement. They need examples to follow.
Behind the sirens, long shifts, and unseen battles, God is at work in powerful and unexpected ways.
The Living Mission First Podcast exists to share those stories. Each episode features first responders who are living Mission First for Christ, men and women who see their badge, uniform, and calling not just as a job, but as a mission field. These are honest conversations about courage, faith, and resilience. Stories of hope found in hard places. Faith lived out in real time. Christ moving in the most unlikely moments.
Whether you serve on the front lines, support someone who does, or simply need encouragement, our prayer is that this podcast reminds you that you are not alone, and that God is still writing stories of redemption, even in the darkest places.
This is a place where real stories meet real hope.
Join us beginning January 29, 2026, as we launch the Living Mission First Podcast. Available everywhere you listen to podcasts.
If this or any other 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.
“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.
