There are moments in our walk with God when He doesn’t show us something new—He simply reveals something we overlooked that had been right in front of us all along.
Today was one of those moments for me.
Lately, I’ve been deeply focused, almost consumed, by several projects that I truly believe were placed on my heart for a reason. They are all good things—building a website, writing devotionals, creating content, planning a podcast, and stepping into new opportunities that seem aligned with where God is leading. Each one felt purposeful, meaningful, and worth pursuing.
But somewhere in the middle of that focus, something subtle happened.
I lost sight of something simple.
The mission never changed.
It has always been clear: to share the Gospel and reflect Christ in everything I do. That is the foundation. Everything else—every project, every platform, every opportunity—is simply a tool to support that mission. But when the tools begin to take center stage, it becomes easy to drift away from the very reason they exist.
God brought that realization into focus through a moment I didn’t expect.
During a meeting, someone criticized me. It wasn’t a major confrontation, but it was enough to reveal something in me that needed to be addressed. Instead of responding with patience, humility, and grace, I reacted with defensiveness, frustration, and a level of aggression that didn’t reflect who I strive to be.
The moment passed quickly, but the conviction didn’t.
Because in that moment, I knew something was off. That reaction didn’t align with the person I believe God is shaping me into. Scripture speaks directly to situations like this:
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” — James 1:19–20
It’s one thing to read that verse. It’s another to realize you didn’t live it out.
As I reflected, I began to see how this had happened. I’ve always been someone who commits fully to what I take on. I value structure, discipline, and doing things the right way. When I decide to pursue something, I don’t do it halfway—I go all in. That mindset has been a strength in many areas of my life.
But even strengths can become weaknesses when they are not surrendered to God.
Over the past several weeks, I’ve taken on multiple major commitments at the same time. The website alone has required countless hours of writing, designing, and refining. The podcast is another layer—one that brings excitement but also complexity, especially as I think through how to build it well and do it right. On top of that, another opportunity has begun to take shape, one that will demand even more time and attention.
Individually, none of these things are wrong.
Together, they became overwhelming.
Not because they were too much to handle, but because I was trying to push them all forward at once—on my own terms, in my own timing, and through my own effort.
And in doing that, I realized something important.
I had stopped asking God how He wanted the work to unfold.
Instead of seeking His direction first, I had begun relying on my own planning, my own discipline, and my own understanding. Scripture warns us about this exact tendency:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6
Even when our intentions are good, we can still move off course if we are not allowing God to lead.
What stood out most to me is that even work done for God can become heavy when we try to carry it without Him. Ministry itself can become overwhelming when it shifts from being led by God to being driven by our own effort.
Jesus made the order clear:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” — Matthew 6:33
Not after the work begins. Not after the plans are set. First.
That realization brought everything back into focus.
My mission is not to build projects, create content, or prove anything to anyone. My mission is to follow Christ and point others toward Him. Everything else is secondary. Everything else is simply a tool.
And when the tools become the focus, it’s easy to forget who the work actually belongs to.
Scripture reminds us of this in a way that is both simple and sobering:
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1
No matter how well something is built, if God is not leading it, the effort will not produce what it was meant to.
That realization led me to a decision.
Not to stop the work—but to slow down.
To step back, pray more intentionally, and listen before moving forward. That may mean that certain things take longer than I expected. The podcast might not launch as quickly. Some projects may need to be paced differently. Plans may shift.
And that’s okay.
Because the goal is not speed.
The goal is obedience.
We live in a world that values productivity, results, and constant progress. But God values something deeper. He values a heart that is aligned with Him, a life that is submitted to His will, and a willingness to follow His direction—even when it doesn’t match our timeline.
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” — Proverbs 16:3
Not forced. Not rushed. Established.
This lesson extends far beyond projects or work. It applies to every area of life. Whenever we become too busy, too focused, or too driven, we run the risk of losing sight of why we started in the first place.
But when we pause, refocus, and return to God, everything begins to realign.
The mission doesn’t change.
We just remember it again.
💭 Reflection
- Am I focused on God—or just the work in front of me?
- Have I invited Him into my plans, or asked Him to follow mine?
- Am I moving with Him—or ahead of Him?
🙏 Prayer
Lord, help me keep my eyes on the mission You have given me. Guard my heart from distraction and pride. Teach me patience, humility, and trust. Remind me daily that this journey is about Your will, not mine. Lead my steps, guide my decisions, and align my work with Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In Christ,
Jeffrey Trester
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