The Tension: A Home for Christmas

Psalm 60:4 – “But you have raised a banner for those who fear You, a rallying point in the face of attack.”

There’s something holy about the moment when a weary soldier sees the banner raised again, a signal that it’s time to regroup, refocus, and be renewed. That image is what inspired Rally Point Network: to create spaces of refuge for missionaries who are still in the thick of their calling. These aren’t post-battle retreats, they’re mid-battle rally points—strategic sanctuaries where the fight pauses long enough for the soul to breathe again.

But this month, I’ve found myself living inside the same truth I’ve been teaching.

My family and I are in Cape Town, searching for the place we’ll spend Christmas. That might sound like a simple decision, but for anyone who’s lived by faith and donor support, you know the tug-of-war it brings. Every price tag seems to carry a moral weight. Every choice feels like it needs a justification.

Do I choose the most affordable Airbnb and call that stewardship? Or do I choose the place that feels like rest—the one that might build a memory for Maverick and remind us that beauty and joy are still part of the mission?

When supporters give generously, there’s a part of me that wants to make sure every cent looks responsible. But sometimes that voice in my head isn’t stewardship, it’s fear dressed up like wisdom. It whispers that comfort is indulgence and rest is waste.

And yet, the very heartbeat of Rally Point Network is this: that Jesus raises banners for His people in the middle of the battle, not just after it. He doesn’t wait for us to collapse before offering restoration. He plants the flag early, calling us back to Himself before the next wave comes.

So as I weigh these decisions here in Cape Town, I’m realizing that this Christmas might be our own rally point. A chance not just to talk about what missionaries need, but to live it. To remember that rest is not retreat, it’s readiness.

For those of you serving on the field, I see you. I know the inner tug between responsibility and renewal, between stretching every donation and allowing yourself to breathe. You’re not alone in that tension. It’s part of the journey of faith, and Jesus meets us right there.

And for those who love and support missionaries, thank you. Your generosity doesn’t just keep the mission going, it raises banners in the battle. It helps families like ours rally, refocus, and return to the front lines with joy and strength.

Maybe this Christmas, that’s what Jesus is inviting all of us to do. To rally. To rest. To lift our eyes and see His banner raised once again.