Author: Kevin Burrell

Bill sat on the edge of the hospital bed. The young baseball coach wore one of those paper-thin gowns that never quite tie correctly in the back. However, today, he didn’t care. Today was supposed to be the day everything changed.

After months of chemo, scans, and sleepless nights, today was surgery day—the day the cancer would be gone. The surgeon, Dr. Harlan, had a reputation for confidence, even charm. He walked into the room with his clipboard like a man about to give good news.

“Bill,” he said, smiling, “the surgery went great!”

Bill exhaled in relief. “So… the cancer is all gone?”

“Well…” Dr. Harlan hesitated. “We took out a good portion of it. About half.”

Bill blinked. “Half?”

“Yes,” Dr. Harlan said. “We figured that was enough to make a difference. The rest, well… it’s not so bad. You can live with it.”

Bill sat in stunned silence. “But Doctor, the plan was to remove all of it. You said you’d go after every last cell.”

Dr. Harlan shrugged. “Yes, but that was before we got in there. Taking all of it out would’ve been more work.”

Bill stared, his mouth wide open and hands trembling. “So you left the disease inside me… on purpose?”

“Yes,” the doctor replied. “It’s just easier that way.”

And with that, Dr. Harlan walked out of the hospital room.

We know—no sound doctor would ever make that decision. However, in a similar way, that’s what we occasionally do. We fail to cut out everything in our life that hinders our commitment to Christ. We leave a “hidden sin” here or there, as needed.

Our “idols” may not be golden statues or foreign gods, but they can take the form of distractions, habits, dysfunctional relationships, or priorities that slowly take over God’s rightful place in our lives. Anything that consistently steals our focus, affection, and obedience from Christ can become a modern-day idol.

In Judges 2, we see the devastating effects of compromise. When Israel allowed the false gods of surrounding cultures to infiltrate their lives, they drifted from their covenant with the Lord. The result wasn’t just spiritual decline—it was distress, defeat, and brokenness.

Listen Closely: What in your life is pulling you away from wholehearted devotion to Christ? Is it unhealthy relationships that encourage sin instead of holiness? Is it an addiction to entertainment, substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, approval, or material possessions? Is it an area of pride, bitterness, or fear you haven’t surrendered? Whatever it is, God isn’t asking you to manage it—He’s asking that you cut it out. All of it. Don’t leave a quarter of it or half of it. Cut it all out. If not, it’s like cancer that will slowly eat away at your life.

Take action today—delete the app, end the toxic pattern, confess the sin, and seek loving accountability. Above all else, don’t wait.

God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness are greater than all our sin.

Have you ever experienced a tragedy or painful loss in your life and cried out to God, only to be met with silence? Have you ever searched desperately for God’s will, not knowing which direction to turn or what to do, only to feel like you’re wandering in spiritual circles? I certainly have.

In this haunting passage from Job 23, we meet a man who knows that feeling all too well. Job’s world has shattered—and it happened in one day. All his children and servants are suddenly killed, all his wealth wiped out, all his livestock gone, and his health in ruins. He searches in every direction for God but finds only absence. Still, with amazing faith, he declares:

“But God knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”

This is the tension of the Christian life: walking through the fire and still choosing to believe in God’s refining work. Let’s be honest—when we suffer, it’s easy to project our human logic onto God. We imagine He must be angry with us, distant, or indifferent. We think in terms of cause and effect: if life is falling apart, we must have done something wrong. However, that isn’t the case at all. God is not like us. His thoughts are much higher. His ways are far greater. His love is not based on our performance. His presence is not proven by our prosperity.

Job’s friends made this mistake. They tried to explain his suffering with shallow theology, assuming “sin” must be the cause of Job’s calamity. However, Job knew better. He didn’t understand what God was doing, but he trusted that God knew. And that trust was his rock-solid anchor.

Trials are not the evidence of God’s absence; they are often the training ground of our faith. Hardships strip us of our illusions and drive us to the core of who we truly are—and, more importantly, whose we are.

God doesn’t always reveal His will in ways that make immediate sense to us. Sometimes, like Job, we look in every direction for God and see only shadows. However, while we’re searching, God is shaping. He is working. He is not playing hide and seek—He is purifying, preparing, shaping, and refining. Because God has one goal: to shape you and mold you into the image of His Son, Jesus. And He uses whatever means necessary to accomplish it.

Listen closely: Imagine for a moment standing where Job stood: everything you have is wiped out in one day. No family, no resources, no home, no income—and your body is ravaged with oozing boils and mangy disease. However, in that unimaginable darkness, Job clings to this profound truth:

“But God knows where I am going.”

Wow. Don’t miss that. That is not capitulation—it is confidence. God sees what you cannot. And when the testing is complete, you will shine like gold.

Are you in a season where God feels distant? Are you facing trials that seem to have no reason? Don’t let God’s silence shake your faith. Let it strengthen you. Remember:

God is not missing. He is molding.
God is not absent. He is active.
God is not punishing. He is purifying.

Gold isn’t made in comfort—it is made in fire. God will walk through the fire with you. Trust Him today.

Life has a way of making us feel lost at times. We set out on a path that seems right, only to encounter obstacles, setbacks, uncertainty, and confusion. It’s in these moments that we, like the prophet Balaam, must open our eyes to what God is doing—even when we don’t understand His ways.

This story can be hard to wrap our heads around. However, below are three important principles for us to remember in this miraculous account.

1. I Don’t Know Why God Does What He Does!

Balaam set out on his journey with what he believed to be a clear mission. Have you ever been there? Yet, God placed an angel in his path—an obstacle he could not see, but his donkey could. The donkey’s refusal to move forward frustrated Balaam to the point of beating the animal. What Balaam did not realize was that God was working behind the scenes, protecting him from harm.

Often, we question God when things don’t go according to our plans. Why does He allow roadblocks? Why does He redirect our steps? The truth is, we don’t always understand why God does what He does. His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and sometimes what seems like a setback is actually God’s way of guiding us toward something better and greater.

2. I Don’t Know Why God Uses Whom He Uses!

God chose an unexpected messenger—a donkey—to speak to Balaam. This animal, considered lowly and insignificant, became the instrument through which God revealed His divine will. Balaam may have been the prophet, but in that moment, the donkey was the one with the message from God.

God often works through unexpected people and circumstances. He uses the weak to confound the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27), and He calls unlikely individuals to fulfill His purposes. When we feel lost, we must remember that God may be speaking to us through people or situations we would never have considered. Our role is to remain open to His voice, even when it comes from unexpected places—even a donkey.

3. I Do Know That God Is Sovereign, and He Is Love!

Despite Balaam’s initial resistance, God’s sovereignty prevailed. He redirected Balaam’s path and ultimately used him to bless Israel rather than curse them.

Even in our confusion and uncertainty, we can trust that God is in complete control and that He acts out of love. When we feel lost, we can take comfort in knowing that God sees the full picture. His plans are always for our good (Jeremiah 29:11), even when we don’t understand them. His love never fails, and His guidance is always available to those who seek Him with all their hearts.

Listen Closely:

If you are feeling lost today, take heart. God is working in ways you cannot see. He uses whomever He wants to accomplish whatever He wants. Trust that He has a purpose for every detour, that He can use anyone (even a donkey) to speak His truth, and that His sovereignty and love will never fail you.

Yes, Jesus loves you! Keep seeking Him, and in His perfect time, He will reveal the way forward for your life. God is rarely early, never late, but always right on time.

Remember: God is writing your story—don’t steal His pen.

Brooklyn Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson, the first Black man to play Major League Baseball, faced venom nearly everywhere he traveled during his first year in the big leagues—fastballs at his head, spikings on the bases, and brutal epithets from opposing dugouts and stadium crowds.

During one game in Boston, the taunts and racial slurs reached a peak. In the midst of all the adversity, another Dodger teammate, Pee Wee Reese, a white infielder, called timeout. He walked from his position at shortstop toward Robinson at second base, put his arm around him, and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Reese later said, “Jackie is my friend.” Robinson later commented, “That arm around my shoulder saved my career.”

Friendship is easy when life is smooth, but its true test comes in times of hardship, sickness, loneliness, and adversity.

In Luke 5:18-19, we see a powerful example of true friendship. Four men carried their paralyzed friend on a mat to Jesus, refusing to let obstacles stop them. They were loyal, determined, and resolute. The crowd was too large, but instead of giving up, they found another way—tearing through the roof to bring their friend to the Lord.

How many friends do you have like that? How many times have people said, “I’m here for you,” yet disappeared when you needed them most? Some promise to pray for you but never do. Others hear but don’t listen. Sadly, many who claim to be friends really aren’t. Ever been there? I certainly have, and it hurts.

Proverbs 18:24 reminds us, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

True friends don’t just offer words—they take action. They lift you up in prayer, call you, serve you, check in on you, share a meal to spend time with you, stand by you in trials and hardships, and fight for you when you are too weak to fight for yourself. Do you have a friend like that? Better yet, are you a friend like that to others?

As Rick Warren famously said:

“It’s not about you!”

Listen closely: Like these four men, Jesus Himself is the ultimate friend, never leaving you nor forsaking you. But He also calls you to be this kind of friend to others. Maybe you can’t be a “mat carrier,” but are you willing to carry someone else’s burden, even when it’s inconvenient? Do you intercede for them by truly bringing their needs before God? Or is it just idle words, lip service, and empty promises?

“Love IS action.”

I challenge and encourage you today to strive to be the kind of friend who doesn’t just speak about love—but lives it out.

Have you ever asked God, “Why?” We’ve all asked that question at one time or another.

“Why, God?”

Why did my spouse die? Why is my child being bullied at school? Why did my marriage fail? Why did my parents pass away? Why did I lose my job? Why did I receive this cancer diagnosis? Why did my best friend suddenly die? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is there so much suffering? Why does injustice always seem to win?

Why? Why? Why?

Even the prophet Habakkuk, a great man of faith, wrestled with similar questions. He looked at the brokenness of the world and couldn’t understand why God seemed silent.

The truth is, we tend to cry out to God the loudest when things go wrong. When life is smooth, we often forget to seek Him. However, in seasons of pain, disillusionment, disappointment, confusion, or injustice, we come to Him desperate for answers. Sometimes, just like Habakkuk, we don’t get the answers we’re looking for—at least not right away.

Habakkuk asked God three “Why” questions:

• Why don’t You listen to me when I call for help?
• Why don’t You save when there is a problem?
• Why do You tolerate wrongdoing?

Have you ever been there? I certainly have. Have you ever asked similar questions of God?

If we continue reading, we see that God does answer Habakkuk. His response is not immediate relief but a call to trust:

“Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” —Habakkuk 1:5

God was at work, even when Habakkuk couldn’t see it. His plan was bigger than what the prophet could comprehend. And the same is true for you and me today.

Listen closely: When you don’t understand, you can still trust that God sees, He knows, and He is working for His ultimate purpose. The challenge is to trust God even when you don’t have all the answers. It’s okay to bring your “Why” questions to God, but also to say, “Lord, even though I don’t understand right now, I will trust You.”

When was the last time you asked God, “Why?” How did you feel in that moment? How can you learn to trust Him even when you don’t understand?

Take a moment to thank God—not just in your struggles, but in your blessings as well.

When you don’t understand, when you don’t see His plan, when you can’t trace His hand—trust His heart!

Hitting a baseball is hard! Hitting it consistently is even more challenging. In my opinion, it’s the most difficult thing to do in sports.

As a Major League Baseball scout for the past 34 years, I believe that most hitters struggle with success at the plate due to excessive anxiety, which leads to poor decision-making and a lack of discipline. When hitters are too anxious, they chase pitches outside the strike zone—swinging at breaking balls in the dirt or above the zone—instead of waiting for a good pitch to hit. Their lack of zone awareness results in weak contact or frequent strikeouts, as they fail to recognize pitches they can drive.

Additionally, being too anxious causes hitters to react too quickly rather than staying calm, quiet, and composed—trusting their hitting approach and letting the game come to them. Without plate discipline, they give pitchers the advantage by expanding the zone, making it easier for pitchers to exploit their overly aggressive approach. In contrast, successful hitters maintain their composure, trust their approach, and wait for pitches they can do damage on, leading to more consistent, productive, and quality at-bats.

In a similar way, people today struggle with anxiety in a variety of areas. Below are ten of the most common sources of anxiety:

• Work or Career
• Finances
• Health Crisis
• Relationships
• Public Speaking
• The Future
• Failure
• Safety
• Change or Transition
• Perfectionism

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6-7 not to be “anxious” about anything but to bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving. He assures us that when we do this, God’s peace, which surpasses all earthly understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Paul emphasizes that God is in control and that He will provide for all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). Instead of worrying, we are called to trust in the Lord, knowing that He cares for us and will sustain us through every situation.

Listen closely: God is bigger than all your anxieties in life. During stressful times or when receiving bad news, remind yourself to trust in the Lord—He holds you in the palm of His mighty hands. As a child of God, remember that nothing can touch your life unless it is first sifted through the hands of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.”

Allow God’s peace to rule and reign in your life today.

Daniel was a young man living in a foreign land, surrounded by a culture that did not honor God. Taken into Babylonian captivity at around 15 years old, Daniel was presented with an opportunity to conform—to eat the king’s food, enjoy the privileges of palace life, and blend into a new identity. However, Daniel made a bold decision at a pivotal moment in his life. He resolved in his heart that he would not defile himself. He refused to compromise his convictions, character, and integrity, even though it could cost him his position or even his life. Because of Daniel’s unrelenting obedience and commitment to God, God showed him favor and gave him influence in the culture and with King Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel’s unwavering commitment to God is a powerful reminder and example of what it means to be a person of character, integrity, and principle. He was not afraid of the consequences because he feared God more than he feared man. He did not bow to cultural expectations or political pressure, but he stood firm in his faith. He knew that honoring God was far more important than pleasing the most powerful king on earth.

Listen Closely: In today’s world, whether you’re in business or athletics, you face similar pressures. You face temptations to compromise your faith for acceptance, comfort, power, pleasure, position, or success. Like Daniel, you must resolve in your heart to remain faithful to God, even when it’s unpopular or difficult. You must choose to be a “God-pleaser,” not a “man-pleaser.”

When you stand firm in your convictions, God strengthens you, gives you favor, increases your influence, and uses you for His glory. Daniel’s integrity led to divine wisdom, supernatural protection, and a powerful testimony that still inspires believers today. I encourage you to be like Daniel: choose to live with unwavering faith and honor God above all else. Maintain your character and integrity.

Live in the culture of America, but don’t allow the culture of America to live in you.

It’s that time of year again—the 2025 high school and college baseball seasons are beginning. For college programs, players have signed their National Letter of Intent to play for various teams across America. They have exchanged their high school jerseys for their new college jerseys.

In life, we also have a spiritual decision to make regarding which team we will commit to: God’s team or Satan’s team. There is no in-between. Saul chose to be on God’s team—and that choice marked a radical transformation in his life.

In sports, putting on a team jersey signifies commitment and belonging. Following Jesus means changing our “team jersey” to represent allegiance to an audience of One. Saul’s transformation in Acts 9:17 highlights the importance of being part of a team. He went from opposing Jesus to being one of His strongest advocates—and he didn’t hesitate!

Being a team player in God’s family means loving, supporting, encouraging, growing together, and working toward the same mission: spreading the Gospel! Ananias played a crucial role in welcoming Saul to the team, just as we are called to make disciples who make disciples.

Listen closely: Just as there is a moment when you experience a physical birth, there must be a moment in your life when you experience a spiritual birth—when you accept Christ and put on His jersey. That transformation is life-changing, shifting you from a self-centered life to one that serves God, serves people, and lives with purpose.

The question is…

What “Team Jersey” Are You Wearing?

Many years ago, a well-known college head football coach divorced his wife of 26 years after leaving the collegiate coaching ranks to become a head coach in the NFL. When coaching at the collegiate level, he maintained the appearance of a marriage because it was expected for special events and social occasions. However, the day he was named an NFL head coach, he set out to rid himself of this necessary appearance. He later confessed that he rarely celebrated birthdays or Christmas with his children because he simply didn’t have the time. His only goal was to win a world championship—and nothing and no one was going to get in the way. Sadly, the misplaced priorities of this coach carried a heavy price.

In a similar way, King Ahab’s response to Ben-hadad’s demands reveals a tragic truth: he was willing to surrender his silver, gold, wives, and children without a fight, but he drew the line at “everything (he) considered valuable.” This raises an important question: What did Ahab truly treasure? What was so important to him that it was worth resisting, while his own family was easily given up?

This passage challenges us to examine our own priorities. Like Ahab, we can sometimes be blind to what truly matters. We may strive for success, wealth, position, power, title, recognition, or comfort—but at what cost? If we neglect our family, faith, and the people God has entrusted to our care in pursuit of worldly gains, then sadly, we are making the same mistake as King Ahab.

Misplaced priorities can have devastating consequences. When work, entertainment, or personal ambitions become more important than investing in the relationships God has entrusted to us, we risk losing what is most precious—our loved ones. Children grow up without parental guidance, marriages suffer from neglect, our influence becomes meaningless, and our spiritual lives grow dry and distant from God. The things we think are important may ultimately be worthless if they come at the expense of our family and faith.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:21:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

If our hearts are fixed on the wrong priorities, we will sacrifice what is truly valuable without even realizing it. However, if we seek God first, He will help us realign our misplaced priorities.

Listen Closely: Take a moment to evaluate your life. Are there areas where your priorities have shifted away from God and your family? When you’re at home, are you really at home? What changes can you make to ensure you are treasuring what truly matters? Learn from King Ahab’s mistake and guard against anything that would cause you to trade your loved ones for possessions, titles, positions, power, or relationships that will never bring lasting satisfaction.

Realign misplaced priorities.

Leadership is not for the faint of heart. Whether you’re leading an organization, a nation, a church, a company, a program, a team, a staff, a department, or even your family—the journey is often marked by burdens that seem impossible to bear.
Don’t believe me? Ask Moses!

Moses, the great leader of Israel, experienced this firsthand. After delivering God’s people from slavery, he found himself surrounded by constant complaining, grumbling, resistance to change, and ungratefulness. Despite leading with a heart aligned with God’s, Moses was worn down and worn out by the sheer weight of it all. His honesty before God shows the exhaustion of a leader who feels like they are running on empty. The reality is that Moses was a “Dead Leader Running.”

The people Moses led were not short on complaints. They whined about their food, lamented their past, and resisted the very freedom they had begged God for. Sound familiar? People often resist change, even when it’s for their good. A leader’s vision can be precise and clear, but followers can be reluctant to embrace it. The leader becomes the target of frustration and blame, leaving them questioning their own calling to their role or position.

For leaders, this resistance can lead to burnout. You pour your heart into your work, serving those you lead and striving to honor God, only to face criticism and complaints. It’s easy to feel like Moses, crying out to God and asking, “Why me?”

Jesus Himself set the ultimate example of leadership. Though He bore the greatest burden—our sin—He consistently retreated to seek the will and strength of His Father. As leaders, we must learn from Him. The weight is too heavy to carry alone.

Listen closely: If you’re a leader feeling frustrated or burned out, remember: you are not alone. God hears your cries, just as He heard Moses’ cries. In response to Moses, God provided seventy elders to share the burden (Numbers 11:16–17). God doesn’t intend for you to shoulder the load by yourself. Lean on Him and ask Him to provide people to help and support you.

If you feel like a “Dead Leader Running,” consider the following action steps:

• Be honest with God: Like Moses, pour out your frustrations to God. He is big enough to handle your honesty, and He’s waiting to hear from you.
• Seek God’s strength: Remember that your strength is not enough, but God’s grace is sufficient. Lean into His strength. Stop trying to carry the load alone.
• Delegate wisely: You were never meant to lead alone. Don’t try to be the hero. Delegate and rely on trusted, developing leaders.
• Take time to rest: Take time to rest and renew your soul. Even Jesus got away to pray, recharge, and rest from the grind of leadership.

Leadership is a sacred calling, but it comes with challenges that can wear you down. If you’re facing resistance, burnout, or overwhelming burdens, don’t give up! God has called you, He is equipping you, and He will sustain you. But you must trust Him to provide the strength, wisdom, courage, and support you need to lead well—and to finish the race well.

Don’t be a “Dead Leader Running.”