Pinmarkers

NMLS ID#308553

Category: Strategy

  • When Faith Pauses the Hustle

    When Faith Pauses the Hustle

    Reflection on Exodus 16:28–30

    Adonai said to Moshe, “How long will you refuse to observe my mitzvot and teachings? Look, Adonai has given you the Shabbat. This is why he is providing bread for two days on the sixth day. Each of you, stay where you are; no one is to leave his place on the seventh day.” So the people rested on the seventh day.
    — Sh’Mot (Exodus) 16:28–30, CJB

    In real estate and mortgage lending, constant availability is often worn like a badge of honor. Phones never go off. Emails never stop. Being reachable 24/7 is equated with commitment, excellence, and even faithfulness to clients.

    But Scripture tells a very different story.

    In Exodus 16, God does not correct Israel for laziness…He corrects them for refusing to rest. The issue was not work ethic. It was trust.

    God’s Provision Comes Before the Command to Rest

    Notice the order in the text.

    God does not say, “Rest, and I’ll see if I take care of you.”
    He says, “I have already provided enough, now rest.”

    “Adonai has given you the Shabbat. This is why he is providing bread for two days…”

    Rest was possible because provision was already secured. The Sabbath was not a test of discipline…it was a test of faith.

    Do we actually believe God has provided enough?

    The Hustle Can Become a Substitute for Trust

    In sales-driven industries, overworking often masks a deeper fear:

    • Fear of missing opportunities
    • Fear of losing relevance
    • Fear that provision depends entirely on our effort

    Working nonstop can feel responsible, but Scripture exposes that sometimes it’s rooted in self-reliance, not stewardship.

    When God says, “Stay where you are,” He is confronting the belief that more movement always equals more provision.

    Sabbath Is Where Faith Meets Work

    Faith does not mean we stop working.
    It means we stop believing that our work is the source.

    Laying labor down one day a week declares:

    • God provides even when I am not producing
    • My value is not measured by availability
    • Obedience matters more than output
    • I trust God with my pipeline, not just my effort

    Sales culture says, “Never stop.”
    God says, “Stop—because I already provided.”

    What It Looks Like for Salespeople Today

    Observing rest does not mean irresponsibility. It means intentional boundaries.

    It can look like:

    • One day a week fully offline
    • Proactive communication before stepping away
    • Systems that support clients without constant access
    • Trusting that God is still at work when you are not

    Rest is not disengagement…it is obedience.

    Why Laying Labor Down Matters

    Exodus 16 ends simply:

    “So the people rested on the seventh day.”

    Nothing fell apart.
    Provision didn’t disappear.
    God proved faithful.

    Salespeople often fear that rest will cost them momentum. Scripture teaches the opposite: rest preserves alignment.

    Closing Reflection

    Where have I confused constant work with faithfulness?
    Where is God asking me to trust His provision enough to pause?
    What would it look like to lay my labor down – intentionally and obediently – each week?

    Truth to Carry Forward

    Rest is not a lack of faithfulness; it is a declaration that God has already provided enough.

  • The Fed Changed Rates – So Why Didn’t Mortgage Rates Drop?

    The Fed Changed Rates – So Why Didn’t Mortgage Rates Drop?

    If you’ve seen headlines about the Federal Reserve changing interest rates, you’re not alone in wondering:

    “Does this mean mortgage rates are going down?”

    The short answer: not necessarily.
    The longer (and more helpful) answer is below.

    What Rate Did the Fed Actually Change?

    When the Federal Reserve “changes rates,” they are adjusting the Federal Funds Rate. This is the overnight interest rate that banks charge each other for short-term lending.

    👉 This rate does NOT directly control mortgage rates.

    It mainly affects:

    • Credit cards
    • Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs)
    • Auto loans
    • Short-term business lending

    So while it’s an important economic tool, it’s only one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

    What Actually Determines Mortgage Rates?

    Mortgage rates are primarily driven by the bond market, especially the 10-year Treasury and mortgage-backed securities (MBS).

    Mortgage rates react to:

    • Inflation expectations
    • Jobs and wage reports
    • Consumer confidence
    • Global economic events
    • Investor demand for bonds

    In other words, mortgage rates are forward-looking, while the Fed is often reacting to data that already happened.

    Why Mortgage Rates Sometimes Rise When the Fed Cuts

    This is the part that surprises people.

    If the Fed cuts rates but signals concerns about inflation, economic instability, or future risk, investors may:

    • Sell bonds
    • Demand higher returns
    • Push mortgage rates up, not down

    Markets move on expectations, not headlines.

    Why the Media Headlines Can Be Misleading

    Headlines often simplify things to grab attention:

    “Fed Cuts Rates — Borrowing Gets Cheaper!”

    That might be true for some loans, but mortgage rates don’t follow the Fed step-for-step.

    Sometimes mortgage rates:

    • Drop before a Fed announcement
    • Stay flat after a change
    • Move in the opposite direction entirely

    That’s why waiting for the “next Fed move” can cost buyers and refinancers real money.

    The Smarter Question to Ask

    Instead of asking:
    “What did the Fed do?”

    A better question is:
    “What is the bond market doing right now?”

    And even better:
    “Does this rate make sense for my personal situation?”

    Bottom Line

    • The Fed does not set mortgage rates
    • Mortgage rates are driven by the bond market and investor expectations
    • Headlines can be misleading
    • Timing the market is risky
    • Strategy matters more than predictions

    If you’re thinking about buying, refinancing, or just want clarity in a noisy market, a conversation beats speculation every time.