Bethany Life Rules

Over the past fifteen years, I have:

Had open heart surgery and lost the illusion of control I had so carefully maintained.

Walked through ministry burnout and the sudden unraveling of the business I thought I was supposed to build.

Helped start a sacred community for adults with disabilities that changed everything I thought I knew about calling.

And all of these things have taught me a tremendous amount about what matters in life—and what doesn’t.

Plot twist: a lot of the things I used to chase, I’ve gladly released.

And the things I once overlooked? They’ve become the treasure.

These are new Bethany Rules for life:

1. Don’t rush past what hurts—God often hides the good stuff there.

We spend so much energy trying to avoid pain. But I’ve learned that healing and clarity almost always begin where it hurts most. Bethany was the place where Jesus wept before he resurrected. We can’t skip that part.

2. People are the point. Not platforms.

We live in a world that rewards performance, hustle, and visibility. But Jesus’ most profound moments weren’t on stages—they were around tables, on dirt roads, and in homes like Bethany. That’s where formation happens.

3. You don’t need to be impressive. You need to be known.

I used to think value came from what I accomplished. Now I know: it comes from who I let close enough to see the real me. Bethany was the one place Jesus let his guard down. I want to build places like that too.

4. Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a rhythm.

Sabbath isn’t something you earn. It’s the soil where your life with God actually grows. Bethany teaches us that rest isn’t a break from real life—it is real life.