BEHOLD: Held by God
By Cathie Ostapchuk
There is a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from carrying more than you were ever meant to hold.
Many women leaders live with the quiet belief that if they let go—even slightly—everything will unravel. That faithfulness requires constant effort. That responsibility rests squarely on their shoulders.
But BEHOLD invites us to see a deeper truth: we are not only called—we are held.
Over ten years of ministry, one truth has become increasingly clear: endurance does not come from strength alone. It comes from being sustained. Again and again, God has proven Himself not just as the One who calls, but as the One who carries.
This is where wholeness is recovered.
To live well and lead whole, we must allow ourselves to be held by God—not in theory, but in practice. Held when plans falter. Held when resources feel thin. Held when leadership feels lonely or misunderstood.
Scripture reminds us, “Underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27). Not beside. Not behind. Underneath. Supporting what we cannot.
BEHOLD asks us to release the illusion of self-sufficiency and return to dependence—not as weakness, but as wisdom.
This is deeply countercultural. Leadership culture often celebrates resilience without rest, courage without care. But the Kingdom tells a different story: fruitfulness flows from abiding, not striving.
As we move into this year, consider this gentle but radical question:
Where am I still carrying what God has already offered to hold?
Living well begins with trust.
Leading whole begins with surrender.
When we allow ourselves to be held, leadership becomes lighter—not because the work disappears, but because we are no longer carrying it alone.
This is not the end of responsibility. It is the beginning of freedom.