Matt gripped the steering wheel a little tighter as the familiar landmarks of home appeared on the horizon. ManAlive had been everything he didn’t know he needed—time away from the grind, surrounded by men who weren’t afraid to talk about real struggles. He had felt alive for the first time in what seemed like forever. But now, as he drove back into the world of work emails, family obligations, and the hum of everyday life, the excitement that had filled his chest on the last day of camp began to fade.
His phone buzzed in the passenger seat—his boss, reminding him about the big project deadline on Monday. Of course, he thought. The world doesn’t stop just because I’ve had a life-changing weekend. The fire that had been burning in him just a few hours ago started to flicker. How am I going to hold onto this? he wondered.
Pulling into his driveway, Matt was greeted by the usual chaos of home. Jake and Ella were chasing each other around the living room, their laughter echoing through the house. Sarah looked up from the kitchen, giving him a quick smile before turning her attention back to dinner. “Glad you’re home,” she said, not breaking stride.
Matt smiled back, setting his bag down and taking in the scene. He had missed them, but there was also something else—a subtle disconnect he couldn’t quite shake. After such an intense weekend of breakthroughs and heart work, real life felt... jarring.
That night, as they lay in bed, the noise of the day finally quieted down. Matt turned toward Sarah, wanting to tell her everything—about the retreat, the moments of clarity, the weight that had lifted from his heart. But the words didn’t come. Instead, he said, “It was good,” and left it at that.
As he lay staring at the ceiling, the silence between them heavy, Matt whispered a prayer into the darkness. “God, help me hold onto this.”
Sound Familiar?
The high after a weekend like ManAlive fades faster than we expect, especially when real life hits. Like Matt, many of us find that the excitement and breakthroughs we experienced at camp can feel distant once we’re back in the routine of daily life. The real battle begins when we leave the mountain. How will you hold onto the fire as you step back into the world?
This Week:
The best way to keep the fire burning is to be intentional. This week, schedule time each day to reflect on what God stirred in your heart at camp. Even if it’s just 10 minutes, write down the key moments, the promises, and the breakthroughs you experienced. Don’t let life drown out what God did in you. Guard it. Keep it alive by creating space to remember and reflect.
