One of the leaders who inspires me the most is Winston Churchill. He was an incredibly brave man who led England during World War II. He was also a remarkable speaker who infused his country with courage in the face of severe adversity.

One of the most beautiful and profound themes woven throughout Scripture is the idea that humanity was created in the image of God. From the very beginning, God’s intention for us was clear—we were meant to reflect His nature, His character, and His glory to the world.

In 2023, I traveled to Charlotte, NC, for a work conference. The company I was with at the time had sent me there to attend sessions on business operations, plumbing materials, and industry trends. During the day, I sat in seminars about supply chain efficiency and product innovation. In the evenings, I found myself alone in my hotel room, reading my Bible and praying.

Struggling in your faith? The Bible is filled with messy, broken stories of flawed people—and God’s unrelenting love for them. Discover hope, grace, and redemption in Scripture’s rawest moments. Read more now!

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” – James 4:1

Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

— Proverbs 19:2

Addicts are often labeled as selfish, but the truth is, all of us play this same game. We could replace drugs with any number of self-serving idols—money, status, success, relationships, even ministry itself—and we’d see the same cycle play out. If we’re just trying to rearrange our circumstances, we’re still living for ourselves, and that will never lead to lasting transformation.

His final moments on earth have become legendary. As he stepped onto the execution platform, he smoked one last cigarette, fixed his hair, and then knelt in prayer. In the crowd, two priests secretly absolved him of his sins. And then, with courage, he met his fate—and ultimately, his Savior.

For me, it took the unraveling of my world to expose the truth. My ego didn’t collapse because of outside forces—it crumbled when I finally looked in the mirror and saw the real problem. It was me. Not my circumstances, not the people around me, not even the temptations I had fallen into. Just me. My pride. My desperate need to be seen as good, as worthy, as valuable.

Falling into the merciful arms of Jesus is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of true restoration. From that place of surrender, a minister can begin to rediscover their ultimate calling: to be a minister of reconciliation. To reconcile others to God and to each other requires first embodying that reconciliation in your own life.