Finding My Anchor: On Faith and Building a Life by Design
I visited a new church today.
I've been looking for a church home in the Hudson Valley, NY area for a while now—somewhere I could put down roots on the weekends, somewhere that felt like community and not just a Sunday obligation. Today, I found it.
I'm not going to share the name quite yet, but I will say this: from the moment I walked in, something felt right. The website prepared me (detailed, clear, no guessing games about what to expect), and when I arrived, I was given a tour of the facility and learned about their programs. There were baptisms happening during the service, which was so encouraging to witness. The praise and worship style resonated deeply—I was able to tune in immediately and just... be present. Fully there.
But beyond the service itself, what stood out was the sense of opportunity. There are so many ways to connect with the community beyond Sunday mornings, and I'm looking forward to exploring a few. What matters most to me is having a spiritual covering and staying connected to people who share my core beliefs. Today felt like the beginning of that.
Why I'm Sharing This Now
I've been navigating the online space for years, but I haven't actively shared about my faith here. And honestly, talking about it online still feels different for me. But the whole point of this journal is to be open about what actually shapes my life.
And my faith? It's the bedrock of everything I do.
I can't talk about building a life by design, about leading with intention, about making choices that align with who you are—without talking about what anchors me. It would be incomplete. Inauthentic, even.
Faith as the Foundation
I was raised in a Bible-believing household. As a young adult, I explored other faiths and belief systems—it was a rite of passage, so to speak. When I talked with some of the elders around me, they shared that they too went through their own exploratory journeys before settling into Bible belief.
I remember speaking with a professor I absolutely respected—still do. Brilliant mind. We started talking about faith and the Bible, and I recall him asking me why I believe in the Bible. He said, and I quote: "Jay, you're way too intelligent for this."
I told him that faith isn't logic-based.
And that conversation? That's one of the reasons I appreciate the people in my community. I would much rather have someone challenge me, call me out, point things out—than have someone secretly think things and not share them. How else are we supposed to examine our norms and grow? Because here's what I learned through that season: faith is subjective. It's not based in logic. Which is why you can't impose it on someone else. Everyone has their own journey.
If someone expresses interest in my faith, I openly share. But I also believe that the best way to share your faith is by the way you live. So I try my best to focus on my morals, my integrity, the things I can control. We’re all perfectly imperfect, but continual improvement is the goal.
I'm also wildly curious. I'm grateful that I can be completely open, explore, and learn about different belief systems and practices while remaining tethered to mine. When I meet people who don't share my faith, I'm intrigued. I want to learn more—that's why we're here. And if they express interest in my faith, I share. As long as we maintain a mutual respect for each other.
That exploratory journey brought me to non-denominational Bible believing churches, where I've found a home since my young adult years. It's where my walk in Christ has led me, and it works for me.
Faith as the Foundation for Everything
Here's what I know for certain: without my faith, I wouldn't be able to do any of this. Not the business. Not the full-time executive role. Not the platforms, the strategies, the intentional living I talk about. My faith is what steadies me when everything feels chaotic. It's what helps me lead with integrity. It's what reminds me that I'm building something bigger than myself.
It's my anchor.
I've experienced what it's like to be untethered. There were seasons when I was exploring, questioning, searching—and I was adrift, well, my version of adrift. But I also know we're all on our own journeys, so I hold space and give grace to everyone figuring out theirs. People did that for me, and I can only do the same for others.
Building Anything Requires an Anchor
You can't build a life by design—or a business, or a career—without something that grounds you. You need a foundation. Something that holds you steady when the waves come. And they will come.
For me, that's my faith. It's non-negotiable.
I'd encourage you to figure out what that anchor is for you. What are the core values, the belief system, the principles that keep you tethered when everything else feels uncertain? What's the foundation you're building on?
And if you don't have one yet, or you're still figuring it out? You can borrow mine. I'll gladly share more.
An Invitation
We're all in different phases of our walk—different seasons, different struggles, different growth. But the one thing that should connect us all is love. Grace. The willingness to hold space for each other.
If faith is part of your story, I'd love to hear about it. If you're exploring, questioning, or searching—I see you.
Just make sure you have an anchor. Strong core values. A foundation.
Because everything you're building? It needs something solid to stand on.
