You're Not Rebelling In A Vacuum
Your yes—and your no—reaches farther than you think

Paul Durbin • Lead Pastor
August 4, 2026

2 Minute Read

Imagine you’re on the boat with Jonah. A storm is tearing the boat apart, cargo is flying overboard, and hardened sailors are crying out to whatever gods they can name—all because one guy (Jonah) said “no” to God.

Jonah wasn't rebelling in a vacuum. He never is. And neither are we.

I think one of the sneakiest lies of American life is that our choices are just ours. My decisions, my body, my life, my business. But Scripture tells a different story.

Your yes to God brings life to your spouse, your kids, your neighbors, your Belay community.

Your no sends a different kind of ripple—one that makes their ride a lot rougher than it needed to be.

That's not meant to shame you. It's meant to wake you up to how much your obedience matters. There are people in your life right now who are waiting on your yes—maybe without even knowing it. A kid who needs to see you repent. A friend who needs to hear you say, "I was wrong." A coworker who needs to see what surrender actually looks like.

So here's a thought to chew on today: what would change for the people you love if you finally said yes to the thing God's been asking you to do? You might be surprised how many storms calm down when one person stops running.

174 | Are You Running From What God Is Calling You To Do?

Pastor Paul Durbin opens a new series in the book of Jonah, walking us through chapter one and the story of a prophet who knew exactly what God wanted him to do—and ran the other way. Paul reminds us that God still invites regular, rebellion-prone people like us to partner with Him in His work, and that saying yes always beats running away. Through Jonah's storm, the sailors' fear, and Peter's contrasting obedience in Acts, we're challenged to stop running, surrender sooner, and trust that God's mercy keeps offering us another chance to say yes.

Paul Durbin • Last Sunday
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August 4, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
You're Not Rebelling In A Vacuum
Imagine you’re on the boat with Jonah. A storm is tearing the boat apart, cargo is flying overboard, and hardened sailors are crying out to whatever gods they can name—all because one guy (Jonah) said “no” to God. Jonah wasn't rebelling in a vacuum. He never is. And neither are we. I think one of the sneakiest lies of American life is that our choices are just ours. My decisions, my body, my life, my business. But Scripture tells a different story. Your yes to God brings life to your spouse, your kids, your neighbors, your Belay community. Your no sends a different kind of ripple—one that makes their ride a lot rougher than it needed to be. That's not meant to shame you. It's meant to wake you up to how much your obedience matters. There are people in your life right now who are waiting on your yes—maybe without even knowing it. A kid who needs to see you repent. A friend who needs to hear you say, "I was wrong." A coworker who needs to see what surrender actually looks like. So here's a thought to chew on today: what would change for the people you love if you finally said yes to the thing God's been asking you to do? You might be surprised how many storms calm down when one person stops running.say yes

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

July 25, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Is Your Speech Salty Enough?
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt." (Colossians 4:6) I love that Paul used salt as the picture. Because salt does four things—and they all say something about how we're supposed to talk. Salt is savory. It makes bland things delightful. Salt adds value—it was so precious in the ancient world that people used it as currency (that's actually where the word "salary" comes from). Salt limits decay. And salt makes you thirsty. So here's the question worth chewing on: When people walk away from a conversation with you, what do they feel? Do they feel like their time was worth it? Do they feel like something in them woke up? Do they leave a little more thirsty for Jesus—even if they can't quite name why? Most of us don't think about our conversations that carefully. We just talk. But the people around you—your coworker, your neighbor, the barista, your kids—they're eating whatever you're serving. And Paul says: make it worth their time. You don't have to preach. You don't have to have all the right verses ready. Just let your words carry a little of Jesus with them. A little grace. A little truth. A little salt. People are hungry. And your conversation might be the meal.Salt

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

July 18, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Finding Freedom
If you're reading this, maybe you've been carrying something heavy for a long time. Maybe it's a habit that started small and grew into something you can't seem to shake. Maybe it's pornography. Maybe it's an online world you keep slipping back into, even when you swore you were done. First, hear this: you are not beyond help, and you are not beyond grace. At Belay, we believe the gospel meets us right where we are — not where we pretend to be. Jesus didn't come for people who have it all together. He came for the tired, the ashamed, the stuck. That includes you. That includes all of us. The Truth About This Struggle Online addiction — especially pornography — thrives in secret. It whispers that you're the only one, that no one would understand, that you should just try harder next time. But willpower alone rarely wins this fight. What actually helps is a combination of honest community, real accountability, and the transforming work of Christ. You don't have to figure this out by yourself. In fact, you can't. And that's okay. Two Resources We Trust I want to point you toward two organizations that have helped many people take real steps toward freedom:Pure Life Ministries Pure Life specializes in helping men and women overcome sexual sin and addiction through a Christ-centered approach. They offer: Online counseling programs you can do from home A residential program for those who need a deeper reset A free app and podcast with daily encouragement and teaching Whether you're just starting to admit there's a problem or you've tried everything and feel hopeless, they have a next step for you.Accountable2you Real change requires real transparency. Accountable2You is a digital accountability tool that monitors your devices and shares reports with people you trust. It's for anyone serious about walking in purity, integrity, and honesty — husbands, wives, students, pastors, anyone. Secrecy feeds addiction. Accountability starves it. If you're struggling, please don't stay silent. Reach out to me, to a trusted friend, or to one of the resources above. Take one step today — even a small one. Freedom often starts with a single honest conversation. You are loved. You are seen. And there is a way forward. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." — John 8:36

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

June 23, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
The Ship Is Already Full
Paul used a word in Colossians that I love: pleroma. It described a cargo ship loaded so full you couldn't squeeze one more crate on board without sinking it. That's the picture he uses for what we have in Jesus. Full. Maxed out. Complete. And then he says something almost startling: try to add anything to that, and you're not improving the trip—you're sinking the ship. I get why we try. Our brains keep whispering that the gospel is too simple. Surely there's more we need to do, feel, prove, or perform. So we start stacking extras on the deck. A little legalism here. A flashy spiritual experience there. A nice coat of cultural respectability on top. Before long, the boat's groaning, and we're wondering why our faith feels heavy instead of free. Here's the good news today: you don't have to earn what you already have. If Jesus is in you, the cargo hold is full. You're not behind. You're not lacking. You're not one more discipline, conference, or experience away from being a real Christian. Just sail. Trust the Captain. Enjoy the fullness.ship

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

June 23, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
Don't Get In The Wrong Taxi
Years ago in China, I walked out of an airport tired, saw a sharp-dressed guy with a clean car (technically, it was an “illegal” taxi, but they were quite common), and thought, "Sure, why not?" I was tired, and a comfy ride home in a nice care from the airport sounded great. 5 minutes later he pulled over next to a rickety van, pointed, and said, "That's your ride." Bait and switch. I'd been “hijacked.” Paul says our faith can get hijacked the same way. Something polished pulls up, promises a smoother ride, and the next thing you know you're being driven somewhere you never meant to go. The hijackers are sneaky—smart-sounding ideas that leave Jesus out, rule-keeping that replaces relationship, spiritual highs that bypass real connection, and cultural respectability that masquerades as righteousness. Each one promises a better ride. Each one charges a price you didn't agree to. Here's what I've learned: the "legit taxi"—the real, authentic walk with Jesus—isn't flashy. It's not always exciting. But it always gets you home. Stay in that ride. Talk to Jesus today, and let Him lead. He's the only one who actually knows where you're going.taxi

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

June 16, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
Don't Fall for Fine-Sounding Arguments
Bank tellers don't spot counterfeit bills by studying every fake one out there. They spot them by knowing the real thing so well that anything off feels wrong instantly. That's spiritual discernment. Paul warned the Colossians—and us—about "fine-sounding arguments." Notice he didn't say bad-sounding arguments. The dangerous ones sound good. They sound smart, spiritual, even biblical. They're the ones that quietly add something to Jesus: Jesus plus rules, Jesus plus rituals, Jesus plus the latest trending voice, Jesus plus your performance. But the gospel is breathtakingly simple. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." That's it. I'm a sinner, I need Jesus, and He did everything required. Jesus didn't pay 80% and leave you to scrape together the rest. Here's the encouraging part: you don't have to become a heresy hunter or memorize every false teaching out there. You just have to keep getting to know Jesus. Read His Word. Sit with His Spirit. Walk with His people. The more familiar you are with the real Jesus, the quicker you'll feel it when something is just a little off. Stay close to Him this week. Counterfeits lose their pull when you know the real thing.counter

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

June 16, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Go Deep Like a Pinyon Pine
The blue spruce is gorgeous. Tall, that unforgettable color, impressive in every way. But here's the thing—its roots only go down about 12 to 18 inches. So when a real wind hits, over it goes. Meanwhile, the scrubby little pinyon pine is hanging off the edge of the Grand Canyon like it's no big deal. Why? Because it sends a taproot way down deep. It's not flashy. It's not tall. But it's anchored. I think a lot of us are trying to grow as blue spruces. We spread our spiritual roots wide—sampling every podcast, every trend, every new idea that floats by. And then we wonder why the first hard wind knocks us flat. Paul saw this coming. He wrote, "Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him." Rooted. Down. Deep. Going deep isn't glamorous. It looks like opening your Bible again. Praying when you don't feel like it. Showing up to community when staying home would be easier. It's quiet, steady, unimpressive work. But it's the kind of work that holds you up when the canyon wind starts howling. So today, instead of spreading wider, go deeper. Just a little. Jesus is worth the dig.deeper

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

June 12, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
The 50-Year-Old Pot of Soup
There's a Chinese cooking tradition called master stock—lu shui. It's a soup base that never gets thrown out. Some restaurants have pots that have been simmering, in some form, for 50 years. The mystery of the flavor isn't a new spice. It's the old one. The ancient one. Consider that image as you think about spiritual maturity. We live in a world that sells us a hundred new hacks every week. New morning routine. New brain trick. New five-step plan. And somewhere along the way, we start to believe that growing up in Jesus should work the same way—fast, fresh, and trending. But Paul says the mystery is this: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." That's it. The secret ingredient isn't new. He's been around since before time started. He's already seen how the story ends. And He's the one doing the simmering inside of you. So here's the invitation today. Stop chasing the next shiny thing. Sit down at the same old pot. Open the Word. Talk to Jesus like He's actually in the room—because He is. Let His Spirit keep doing the slow, deep work that no shortcut can replicate. You're not behind. You're simmering. And the flavor that's coming out of your life is exactly what the people around you are hungry for.soup

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

June 12, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Reframing the Hard Stuff
When Paul wrote, "I rejoice in what I am suffering for you," he wasn't chained to a desk—he was chained to a guard. And yet his first words weren't, "Get me out of here." They were words of joy. That's not normal. That's mature. In this life, we will have times of suffering. We don't really get to vote on that. What we do get to choose is whether we walk through it bitter or joyful. Bitter suffering complains, blames, and sets up camp in a bad mood. Joyful suffering says, "Jesus walked through hard things too. Maybe this is where I get to know Him a little better." That's not denial. That's not pretending the pain isn't real. Paul still prayed three times for his thorn to be removed. Jesus Himself asked if the cup could pass. We can do both—pray hard for breakthrough and receive the moment as holy ground at the same time. So if you're in a hard season right now, try this. Don't just ask, "God, get me out." Ask, "God, what do You want me to see about You while I'm in here?" That one shift can turn a prison cell into a classroom. Jesus isn't watching from the finish line. He's right there in the cell with you. And what He's growing in you might be exactly what someone else needs to see.reframe

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

June 6, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
5 Stages of Marriage
What Stage Are You In? When Patty and I said "I do," nobody handed us a roadmap. We anticipated that marriage would be a steady climb upward—two people who loved each other simply loving each other more as the years rolled by. But marriage isn't a straight line. It's a journey with distinct stages, and every couple moves through them. The good news? When you know what stage you're in, you stop panicking when things get difficult. You realize you're not broken—you're just in a season. And every season has a purpose. Here are the five stages most marriages experience. 💕 Honeymoon Stage This is the magical beginning, when love feels effortless and your partner can do no wrong. Emotions run high and the connection feels electric. Head over heels in love Passionate romance and starry-eyed wonder Powerful chemistry between you Everything about your partner feels perfect "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine." — Song of Solomon 6:3 😬 Reality Stage The fog of romance lifts and real life sets in. You start noticing your partner's quirks and wondering if you really knew them at all. Usually hits a few weeks after the honeymoon The "What was I thinking?" moment arrives A shift from delight to disillusionment Little things start to bother you, and it feels like you have less in common than you thought "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." — 1 Corinthians 13:4 🚦 Adaptation Stage This is the crossroads. You're faced with the reality that your spouse isn't exactly who you imagined—and neither are you. Now you have to decide what to do about it. Three paths open up in front of you: GO: Split up and go separate ways STATUS QUO: Stay together but live unhappily GROW: Choose to develop healthier ways of seeing each other "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" — Matthew 7:3 🌱 Transformation Stage For couples who choose to grow, real change starts happening. You stop trying to win and start trying to understand. Accept that you'll never see eye to eye on everything Consciously decide not to push each other's buttons Look at yourself more honestly and make real changes Struggle decreases, harmony increases "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." — Ephesians 4:2 🌳 Mature Love Stage This is the payoff for couples who stayed the course. Love feels deeper, richer, and more secure than ever before. You share a meaningful history together The qualities that first attracted you come back into focus Renewed connection—you feel closer than ever More harmony, and you genuinely like each other again A quiet pride in what you've built side by side "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." — Ecclesiastes 4:12 A Final Word Wherever you find yourself today—honeymoon, reality check, or somewhere in the messy middle—don't lose heart. Marriage isn't meant to be easy; it's meant to make us more like Christ. The struggle isn't a sign your marriage is failing. It's often the very thing God uses to grow you both into something beautiful. If you're stuck, reach out. Talk to your spouse honestly. Find a mentor couple. The best marriages aren't the ones that avoid the hard stages—they're the ones that walk through them together. This article is based on a teaching Paul heard at a Responding to Relationships seminar.

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

June 4, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Who did you GIFT this week?
What is GIFT? GIFT is a simple way to help Sundays at Belay continue to be welcoming and friendly. Greet Greet someone you've never met before. If they're new, welcome them and learn something about them. If they've been around a while and you just haven't met yet, introduce yourself. If they came alone, offer to sit with them. Introduce Introduce people to each other. Connect people who share something in common. Introduce a first-time guest to the pastor or a leader. Be the bridge between strangers and friends. Follow Up Follow up with someone you met recently. Call them by name. Pick up the conversation where it left off. Invite them into your circle of friends. Thank Thank someone who did something you appreciate. A simple "I love those songs!" to the worship leader. A “that was delicious” to whoever brought breakfast. A note of encouragement to a nursery worker. Ask a fellow Belayer, "Who did you GIFT this week?" Not many of us can do all four letters of GIFT every week. But if we each commit to just one a week (and ask each other about it) this simple plan can help Sundays at Belay continue to be a place of real belonging. Based on an article by Karl Vaters, https://karlvaters.com/friendlier-to-guests/

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

June 4, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
He Took the First Step
Reconciliation always takes two parties. One person can do everything in their power, but if the other doesn't respond, nothing changes. Anyone who's lived through a broken relationship knows this in their bones. Here's what wrecks me about the gospel: we were the ones who walked away. Paul says we were "alienated" and "enemies in our minds because of our evil behavior." That's strong language. And yet Colossians 1 doesn't say humanity finally figured it out, climbed high enough, prayed loud enough, or got religious enough to earn God's attention. It says He reconciled us. He moved first. He took the step. He gave His own body on the cross to close the gap we created. Think about that the next time you feel far from God. He's not standing across the canyon with arms folded, waiting for you to perform your way back. He already crossed. The blood of Jesus has already been shed. The hand is already extended. Your part is simply to receive it. And here's the beautiful ripple effect: because He moved toward us, we get to move toward others. That relationship you've been waiting on someone else to fix? Maybe you're the one who gets to be like Jesus this week. Maybe you take the first step. Maybe you send the text. Maybe you offer the hug before the words come. That's what people who are on belay do—we move first, because Someone moved first for us.reconcile

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor