Buying Land

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.