Category: Motivation

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How to Live Sustainably: Balancing Purpose, Passion, and Vocation

Vocation Sustains PurposeSustainability is about endurance. Our purpose and passion are not always the same as our livelihood; our purpose is to glorify God, and our passion is how we fulfill that purpose. Our livelihood is our vocation, which supports our purpose and passion. Paul was a tentmaker. That was his day job; it funded his ministry.

Acts 18:3, “and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade, they were tentmakers. “

Paul continued to pursue his vocation as a tentmaker throughout his life, including during the time he was an enforcer for the Sanhedrin and after his conversion. We can assume he was pretty skilled at it. However, being skilled at something and having a passion for it are two very different things.

Having a Skill

Every person, of every degree, state, sex, or condition, without exception, must have some personal and particular calling to walk in. –William Perkins, A Treatise of the Vocations

We often confuse being skilled at something with being passionate about it. After all, to excel at something, you need to practice, learn, and dedicate time to it. Why would anyone invest so much effort in something they don’t feel passionate about? There are many reasons. You might believe that your material life would improve if you pursued this particular career. Or you could feel more accepted in your social circle if you possessed a specific skill. For some children, their parents instill the idea that they should pursue a particular profession when they grow up, leading them to chase it to make their parents happy.

In America, I often see that after finishing school, we need to start earning a living. We aren’t always aware of what options are out there, so we take whatever job is available. Sometimes we do some basic filtering, like: I enjoy talking to people, or I dislike working with numbers. But mostly, we need to pay the rent. This begins a vicious cycle of more bills, more money, more obligations, and more expenses. We become skilled at something because it fulfills and sustains this essential need. Sustainability of life is a requirement for sustainability of purpose.

Having a Passion

But the vocation that Paul excelled in was not his passion. When asked who he was, he would not have said “tentmaker”.

1 Corinthians 16-17, “For when I preach the Gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.”

Paul expresses his passion for preaching the word. He felt compelled to preach. Paul had a clear understanding of his calling and love, and it wasn’t about tentmaking.

As we look toward the future to understand God’s plan for our lives, we should learn a lesson from Paul. Our vocation may be a vital part of God’s plan for us, providing sustainability in our ministry. We might not need or want to quit our “day job” as we get closer to God’s plan. It might not be our passion, but it could be part of the plan. It is a skill and a resource God has given us to use for His purpose.

Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters.”

Compensation

I need to point out that Paul believed those who share the Gospel could receive compensation. If full-time ministry is your calling, then God will find a way for you to earn a living from it. Here is what Paul says:

1 Corinthians 9:11 “If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?”

1 Corinthians 9:14, “the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the Gospel.”

Galatians 6:6 “One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.”

Sustainability matters. If what you are pursuing is truly God’s plan for you, He will supply the necessary resources. From experience, I should remind you that the present shapes the future by using the past. The season of your life might change. Don’t see that as a lack of sustainability. Instead, view it as the cost of tuition.

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“The Danger of a Single Story—and How to Embrace Many Narratives”

To choose to write is to reject silence.There is a risk in forming a narrative from a single story. But we do it all the time.

Someone is rude to us, and we form an image of that person. We see how someone dresses, and we create an impression of their life. Most of us read a news article and develop an opinion. We read a Bible verse and build a belief.

Matthew 7:1-2, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Context is everything. The backstory shapes the interaction. Most outbursts don’t come from the current event but are the result of past experiences. Life often boils over.

Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be glorified. — African Proverb (popularized by Chinua Achebe).

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I recently watched a TED Talk by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie called “The Danger of a Single Story.” She explained how easy it is to form assumptions based on limited exposure, such as one article, one image, or one encounter. “The problem with stereotypes,” she said, “is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.”

1 Samuel 16:7, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

That resonated with me deeply. I’ve seen it play out in conversations about culture, poverty, politics, and faith. I’ve also caught myself doing it — jumping to conclusions before hearing the whole story.

Even in Scripture, we fall into this trap. We build entire theologies around single verses, ignoring the broader narrative. We isolate Jesus’ words without understanding the people He was addressing or the cultural backdrop of His day. When we do that, we risk distorting both the message and the heart behind it.

Because of my volunteer work I have had the privilege of listening to the backstories of incredible people in extremely adverse circumstances. People who I am convinced will change the world around them in spite of the political, economic and cultural issues holding them back. We are all created in the image of God, unique and perfect for the purpose for which God planned for us before all of creation. Most of us become trapped in a broken world and never achieve that purpose. Our voice is silenced and we are lost.

Stepping Back

John 8:7, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

But if we step back and listen longer — if we seek the whole story — something shifts.

Instead of judgment, we offer grace.

Instead of fear, we extend curiosity.

Instead of division, we build understanding.

The challenge is this: Will we choose the harder path of listening, learning, and unlearning the single stories we’ve absorbed? Will we allow room for complexity, contradiction, and growth in others and ourselves?

The next time someone crosses your path or a headline catches your eye, pause. Ask: Is this the whole story? Or just the easiest one to believe?

Maybe That’s Why I Write.

Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people… clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

There are days like this when I feel a strong desire to make a difference. I know I’m not a well-known influencer. I don’t have a huge platform or a viral message.

But I have simple words; words that might reach one person. Words that could start an echo, even if I never hear it.

So, I’ll keep writing. I’ll keep listening beyond just a single story. I’ll continue choosing grace, complexity, and truth — because sometimes, the smallest voice can shatter the loudest assumptions. Today, you and I are part of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s echo. We are the reverberation of her voice that she will never hear. I challenge you to start your echo in truth and grace.

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Victims of the Enemy: A Christian Perspective on Non-Believers

Grace means undeserved kindnessNon-believers are not my enemies; they are victims of my enemy. That statement shed new light on how I engage with those who haven’t had the privilege of meeting my Savior. Non-believers are victims of ignorance and misinformation. We can’t reasonably expect non-Christians to act like anything other than non-believers.

Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness.”

Samuel Butler popularizes an old English proverb in his 1664 satirical poem Hudibras that says, “A man convinced against his will is of the opinion still.” If we view non-believers as stubborn, contrarian believers, we overlook the context of their lives. Most are living a life they believe aligns with what they know. Our enemy has indoctrinated them into believing they are normal and that Christians are abnormal.

2 Timothy 2:24, “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone. Able to teach, not resentful.”

What We Present versus What We Say

“How you live your life is a testimony of what you believe about God.” – Henry Blackaby

We have all sinned and continue to sin. If we, who understand Christ’s love for us, keep sinning, what can we expect from non-believers? Non-believers don’t share our sense of right and wrong, and even with all our knowledge, we still struggle to stop sinning. Isn’t it hypocritical for us to judge non-believers based on their sin?

“Our world does not need to hear more people talk about God or even about Jesus if those people do not have a lifestyle that reinforces every word they utter. The interesting thing is that the closer we walk in intimacy with God, the less we have to say. Our very lives become a bold and beautiful testimony to the purity, the freedom, and the beauty of the Lord Jesus.” – Dennis F. Kinlaw

If we interact with a non-believer from the perspective of their sin versus my sin, we have set up a confrontation. Confrontations often lead to defensive behavior, which ultimately results in closed minds.

Christian Humility

Luke 14:11, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Humility is the ability to see all people the way God does. Part of that understanding is recognizing that we are all uniquely and wonderfully made for the purpose God has for each of us. In God’s eyes, none of us is better or worse; we are all equally valuable.

Just because non-believers’ hearts have been captured by our shared enemy doesn’t make them less valuable. Misguided and misinformed, but no less valuable.

Humility is the key to opening doors. Approaching each person with the intent of understanding them first, then guiding them with the love and compassion of Christ, will bring benefits to their lives. Knowing that you accept them as a person first and foremost creates trust. That trust is the currency of meaningful dialogue.

Christian Pride

As Christians, we know how it all ends. We know we are on the winning side. Christians can feel self-righteous, taking pride in the fact that our sins are forgiven and that we will be with Christ.

Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

This pride over something we had no control over. We did not save ourselves. The same God who saved us can and will save those we see as sinners. We should approach this immeasurable gift with humility. Jonah did not want God to save the people of Nineveh because, in his eyes, the Ninevites were not worthy of salvation. Many Christians do not see non-believers who are living in sin as worthy of salvation. Yet we still struggle with our sin.

Evangelism is an act of love and compassion. It is creating a safe place for discussion.

“Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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Clarity Map and the Unreasonable Man

God's PlanA Clarity Map is a powerful visual representation of personal success principles that can produce tangible results quickly when combined with focused and consistent action. Paraphrased from Gilles Cote of claritymaps.com

Interestingly, I had never heard of Clarity Maps. While discussing this quote: “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” I ran across the idea. The quote is from George Bernard Shaw’s play “Man and Superman” (1903).

Clarity Map

As I researched this quote, I mentally visualized how to apply it. Traditionally, I would create this visual using a program called MindManager. However, my research buddy, ChatGPT, introduced me to the term “Clarity Map,” which I liked.

In my view, a clarity map is a series of questions that you ask yourself that lead to an action targeted toward a specific goal. There are many pieces to that statement. There is a self-interrogation about motives, values, and purpose. The answers to those questions should point you toward an ultimate goal. Then, the clarity map describes the actionable steps to achieving that goal.

I’m always cognizant of a point on the horizon I am navigating toward. Having this visual in my head simplifies decision-making. A decision either moves you closer to the point or deflects you from it. Creating that point on the horizon requires self-honesty, which most of us are uncomfortable with.

Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

The Unreasonable Man

“The purpose of life is not to be happy—but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you lived at all.” – author Leo Rosten, 1962, National Book Awards

Back to the quote. Being an unreasonable man seems, well, unreasonable. As a Christian, what does it mean to be unreasonable? I think the Bible is obvious on this subject. We are not to conform to the world but to be transformed by renewing our minds.

Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you can test and approve God’s will—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

We should be bold disruptors of unfulfilled lives. Bold disruptors don’t just see potential; they ignite it. As disruptors, we should not just give people tools and twelve-step programs—we should give them agency, authority, and purpose. George Bernard Shaw believes that progress depends on the unreasonable man. God’s kingdom does not expand by adapting God’s word to worldly circumstances; it expands because we adapt the world to accept God’s word.

James 4:4, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Circling Back Around

Do you have a clarity map to be unreasonable? People worldwide need to start believing in God’s mercy and love. Belief doesn’t just bloom on its own — it needs a crack in the wall, a little light, a voice saying, “You can.” As a disruptor, you are not a savior but a spark — someone who disrupts the inertia just enough for the potential to start moving, becoming. A person with purpose is unstoppable.

“The purpose of life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.” — Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Here are some starting questions for building your clarity map:

  1. What do you already know? “What have you learned from life, work, school, bible study, or struggle?”
  2. What do you care about deeply? “What or who keeps you up at night?”
  3. What must change? “If you could fix one thing, what would it be?”
  4. What does that change look like? “What would life around you look like if that thing were different?”
  5. What’s one way you could help move toward that future? “What person could you help today, even in a small way?”
  6. Forget your limits. Focus on your direction. “Even if you don’t know how to get there, you know where you’re going.”

Create a clarity map for your mission to expand God’s kingdom. I don’t believe you can hit a target you cannot see. Be unreasonable. Save a life.

John 17:14, “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.”

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Last Day on Earth

Take care of your life, and the Lord will take care of your deathIf today were your last day on earth, how would you live it? Reflect on life’s meaning, priorities, and what truly matters most. Most of us don’t get that kind of warning. But if we did, would we choose differently? I don’t mean to sound morbid—but it’s a powerful question worth asking.

James 4:14, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

“You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” — Rick Warren

The Accident

I passed a horrific accident on the interstate after visiting family. Metal twisted like paper. Debris littered the highway. Both cars had rolled at high speed. Their roofs lay shredded and torn off completely. The wreckage screamed devastation. No one could have survived.

My first thought: Were they ready to die this morning when they woke up?

Psalm 39:4, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.”

Today probably started like any other day for them, except for the excitement of a trip. Plans were made, all the essential things needed for the trip were gathered and stored, and life moved forward. Most of us begin each day expecting it to continue normally.

We rarely think: This is the day I stand before God. We assume today will unfold like yesterday. But sometimes, it doesn’t.

The Conversation

I remember a conversation from years ago with an inmate on death row. I was curious about how it feels to know the exact time and date of your death. To me, it seemed frightening and unsettling. He became a Christian in prison; his response was that it was comforting. He then asked, “Do you know if you will live to make it home? Were you prepared?” Life has a way of disrupting our plans. That really stayed with me.

Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Seeing this accident reminded me of his statement. Did I wake up this morning with the intent to live today as if it were my last? Do I live that way every day? Sadly, my answer is “No.” Somehow, I expect to keep living, pretty much the same way I always do. I make a few adjustments along the way, but that is about it.

The Realization

Tomorrow is not guaranteed. There are apologies we’ve postponed. People who need to hear the Gospel. Loved ones we haven’t embraced. Invisible neighbors who crave recognition. It’s easy to let the urgent override the essential. Easy to say, “I’ll get to that later.”

But what if later never comes?

“Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I want you to be prepared. Take a moment every morning to think about it and respond accordingly.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” –

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Do You Love Me?

,Love is a verbDo you love me? That was the question Jesus asked Peter.

John 21:15-17, “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’
‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
Again, Jesus said, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
The third time he said to him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”

We often talk about our “favorite” Bible verses or choose a “verse of the day,” but the Bible is much more than just inspirational quotes. It’s a collection of love letters—some written by specific people to certain recipients and some anonymous—all pointing to God’s deep affection for us and how we should respond with affection for Him.

God’s Love for Us

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us—not because we deserved it, but because His compassion is so great that He wants us with Him forever. Our salvation is a priceless gift that we could never earn or repay. There’s nothing we can do to make God love us more, and nothing we can do to make Him love us less.

Our Love for God

So, how do we show our love for God?

God gives us the ingredients for our daily bread, but he expects us to do the baking!  – Chip Ingram

It’s not enough just to say we love Him or even to pray for others. We must show our love through how we live—by obeying God’s Word and ensuring our actions reflect our faith. Without actions that demonstrate our love, we can fool ourselves into thinking we believe in something we don’t truly believe.

James 2:18-20, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe in one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

It isn’t about working in a soup kitchen or going on mission trips, it is about the daily display of compassion, patience, and understanding. It is about living your life as God would have you live it. Glorifying yourself through grand gestures so people think you are a good person isn’t it.

This self-deception is dangerous.

Titus 1:16, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

This is a danger we might not even see until it’s too late.

A Warning

God warns us clearly: We must demonstrate our faith and trust in Christ through good deeds. However, good deeds alone, without love for Christ, are meaningless. Our faith should inspire us to care for others, but doing so without loving Christ is also empty of meaning.

We must recognize God as the source of our love and life, giving thanks to Him in all we do.

Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

You can’t be saved just by caring for others — anyone can do that. But you need to demonstrate that you are saved by caring for others.

1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

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Silence is Rarely Silent

Sound of SilenceThe Sound of Silence

Silence is rarely silent. Often, it is louder than the surrounding voices. When we sit back and allow contrary and even destructive voices to drown out the voices of compassion, our silence becomes a statement. It reflects who we are and who we choose to be: apathetic.

Zechariah 7:9: “Show kindness and compassion to one another.”

When we turn away from someone in need and ignore those struggling to survive or be recognized, our inaction resonates louder than words. It suggests that their lives are less significant than ours. We proclaim that our chaotic, confusing, and busy existence is more valuable than compassion or grace, as if their stories matter less than ours.

“Sometimes loneliness makes the loudest noise.” ― Aaron Ben-Ze’ev

The Sound of Apathy

Silence is rarely silent. Not offering a kind word or an act of compassion often does more harm than harsh words. It leaves the other person feeling invisible and without value. Some argue that anger is better than apathy because at least anger still involves feeling. Apathy, however, is a void; it’s the absence of love, empathy, and connection.

Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

The powerful aspect of compassion is that it transforms us. When we choose to see others and enter their lives, we begin to perceive a richer, more understanding world. We come alive by helping others feel alive. That’s not a burden—it’s a gift. Silence eats away at the core of who God made us. It degrades the essence of who we are, created in His image.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia.

The Sound of God’s Whisper

Silence drowns out the whisper of God’s love calling us to action. God doesn’t force us to care; He doesn’t demand action. He gently whispers through love, inviting us to respond not out of obligation but out of gratitude. Loving others isn’t a requirement for earning God’s love—it’s a result of receiving it.

Proverbs 11:17. “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”

Yes, life is demanding. We have schedules to keep, responsibilities to manage, and our wounds to heal. But the challenge isn’t whether we’ll face obstacles; it’s whether we’ll rise above them. Whether we’ll choose the path of love, even when it’s inconvenient. Life will offer you the rationalization needed to move on in silence. But is that God’s nature? God never chose silence when we were in need. He gave His son that we may live. And if we want to reflect His heart, neither can we.

Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

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Happy Birthday to Me

It is how many apples in a seed.Happy Birthday to me. Yesterday, I turned seventy-five—three-quarters of a century lived. It’s hard to believe. Deep inside me still lives that sixteen-year-old small-town farm boy wondering how we got here. The truth is, it didn’t happen all at once. It was a journey of countless tiny steps—millions, billions, maybe even trillions of small decisions, each shaping the road ahead.

Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Twenty-One

I remember when twenty-one seemed impossibly far away. It felt like a milestone that would define everything, and for a while, it did. But eventually, it too faded into memory—just one of many great moments that came and went, each significant, each now a part of the past. A lifetime of echoes.

“The greater your knowledge of the goodness and grace of God on your life, the more likely you are to praise Him in the storm.” – Matt Chandler

My daughter—wiser than I ever was—once told me, “Everything that’s happened made me who I am, and I like who I am.” I’m proud to be her father. Me? I’m still figuring that out. Life went fast. Too fast.

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

My path hasn’t been straightforward. For nearly five decades, I concentrated on making a living. My calendar was filled with meetings and business trips, but in between were birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and family vacations. I’ve traveled the world and experienced wonders I once only dreamed of. I met extraordinary people, and in their presence, I often felt small. I was busy. Life didn’t wait.

Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Seventy-fifth Birthday

Now, at seventy-five, I’m grateful. I’m healthy for my age, I have the means to live comfortably, and I still wake up each day with purpose. I continue to explore the world—discovering places I didn’t even know existed. The people I meet now may not have formal education, but they possess deep wisdom. In their lives, it’s not material possessions but relationships that matter most. And maybe that’s the greatest lesson of all.

By some measures, being seventy-five makes me an old man. But inside, I don’t feel old. I expected to, maybe even hoped I would. But I just feel… like me. Perhaps a little wiser—not because I chased wisdom, but because life taught me through experience.

Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

I don’t fear death. I see it not as an end, but as a beginning. Sometimes I wonder why I don’t long for it—to escape this slow fading of strength. But that’s not for me to choose. God still wakes me each morning, so the work isn’t done.

I’ve lost friends, and I miss them deeply. Sometimes, I envy them—because those of us still here carry the weight of their absence. But over time, you learn to live with grief. Some pains never leave but soften, and we keep moving forward.

A Glimpse Ahead

I have a life that is more beautiful than I deserve. God has been faithful to me through it all—not because of who I am, but despite it. I am blessed with family, friends, and a life that is rich with memories. I am seen. and valued.

So today, as a gift for my birthday, I offer you this: a glimpse ahead.

Life feels like a marathon in the beginning, but in the end, it feels more like a sprint. Every moment counts. One day, those moments will become the most valuable things you own. Live each one fully. Choose a life that excites you for tomorrow, no matter what today holds.

Psalm 146:2, “I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”

If you woke up this morning, God still has a plan for you. So live it.

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Surviving Life in a Broken World

Anxiety SpurgeonSurviving life in a broken world can be all-consuming. It seems to me that we used to have to deal with political and economic chaos in larger, more pronounced clumps. Governments would change, and recessions would come and go over extended periods. There was always a ramp-up to change. The world has changed.

1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Now it seems as though things change almost at a moment’s notice. Along with managing our emotional baggage, we must cope with the ever-changing landscape of world change. What used to take months or years to adjust now takes weeks or days. Planning for our future has become a game of whack-a-mole. We now deal not only with all the dystopias created by navigating our personal lives, but we are also bombarded with constant world change.

“Sometimes God lets you be in a situation that only He can fix so that you can see that He is the One who fixes it. Rest. He’s got it.” – Tony Evans, Facebook, June 7, 2012

Understanding God’s View

Most of us struggle to understand God’s view of our life without also trying to integrate God’s worldview. I know I do. It has become so ever-present that I have accepted I may never know the “why,” but I can at least discover the “what’s next.” God never told Job why, so I guess He won’t tell me either. But He will guide me in the direction of what to do because of it.

Romans 13:1, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. God has established the authorities that exist.”

I now sometimes find myself overwhelmed with the dysfunctionality of world events. I layer those events on top of my life events, and it seems everything is out of control. And, by the way, it is outside of my control. God is executing His plan for His kingdom. God looks at people, not governments or country boundaries. Most of us view the world in terms of people groups, where some will win and some will lose. God looks at us as individuals, each with the ability to win through acceptance of Him as King.

God’s Control

I know that I often look at current events and project their occurrence onto the people making the decisions, but that is a false narrative. God is in control. He put all of this in motion before the foundation of the universe.

John 17:5, “Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”

None of this is a surprise to God. All of it is part of His plan for humanity. We can step back from the chaos and gain a unique perspective on eternity that allows us to suspend judgment until we see God’s plan. The world may be out of our control, but it is never outside of God’s control. This has always been true of our personal lives. What has happened to us or is still happening has intent. That intent is to expand God’s Kingdom. Our reaction should not be asking why the past was the past, but what do you want me to do about the future?

Revelation 22:13, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

We should take the same perspective on world events. What do You want me to do? I’m not going to pretend that there will be no adverse impact on Christianity, but that impact is likely to be temporary. We ultimately know the end, it is outlined in Revelations. The question is how and when we get there.

Surviving

First, as best you can, let go of the contemporary hype surrounding everything that’s happening in the world. God is doing great things that are outside of our understanding. Pray that God’s will will be done. Pray for protection for you and those God has put in front of you. Continue to follow your faith, not as it pertains to current events, but as it pertains to God’s Kingdom.

Remember, in the end, He wins.

Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

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Make God Smile

Make God smile. Your passion matters more than logic; God smiles when you rely on Him rather than the world.

I read about a homeless boy, Ricky White, who earned a Doctorate in Music. He played the tuba. Let that sink in. A Doctorate in Tuba is already an unusual story. But that’s not what made me pause. What gripped me wasn’t the degree or the instrument, but the passion behind it —a passion that refused to die. That’s the story worth telling.

Isaiah 64:8, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

 “I’d like to die fighting a good cause, something worthy.”

That quote stayed with me. It came from Dr. Richard Antoine White, born in 1974, now known as “R.A.W. Tuba.” He grew up in the streets of Baltimore, often sleeping in abandoned buildings and relying on hope and grace to survive. When asked about his greatest ambition, his answer was powerful:

“I’d like to die fighting a good cause, something worthy. When it comes, it comes, but I ain’t going to lie down easy.”

And could I add my own words?

“I want to make God smile.”

What’s your Great Ambition?

Have you stopped to ask yourself lately? Do you see yourself the way God sees you?
Are you aiming too low—or not at all? Do you let others, or worse, society, define your purpose?

You were made for more. In the last few years, the people God has brought into my life have challenged me deeply. They’ve shown me that the greatness God places in us isn’t theory or motivational fluff. It’s real, and it’s waiting.

Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

There is greatness in you. It’s not a compliment, it’s a calling. The greatness I see in others burns like a white-hot flame, lighting everything around it. And your life, like mine, has led to this moment —a crossroads, an inflection point. From here, we can launch into the great unknown or spin into the dark abyss of banality.

I know which one God built me for, and I believe He built you for it too.

Just a Morning Thought…

I understand that many of you don’t realize how exceptional you are to God. We often live in the past. Believe me, I know that temptation all too well. But today, just for today, what if we felt the wind on our faces and took a step into the unknown? God is already there, and He’s smiling.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.

Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Let’s be real. When Anthony White was homeless, did you think he had a 10-step plan? Do you think he said, “The way out is to take up the biggest, clunkiest instrument in the orchestra and make a life out of it”? Do you think his friends cheered him on with, “Dude, go for it! Sounds like a bulletproof plan!”?

Probably not.

Let’s be honest: The tuba is not the band’s superstar. It’s not the path to fame, fortune, or flashy headlines. God breathed on it, and it became his instrument, passion, and calling.

So, What About You?

Your passion may seem even more unlikely than Anthony’s. But God doesn’t make mistakes. He planted a seed in you, too—one meant to grow, flourish, and light up the world. The world may try to convince you that it’s not practical, profitable, or logical.

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Ignore all that. If God created galaxies, mountain ranges, and microscopic wonders with breathtaking precision—why would He skimp when it came to you? Thrust me, He won’t, and He didn’t.

What Makes God Smile?

It’s not your achievements, your résumé, or people’s approval. It’s your obedience while pursuing the life He created you to live. He’s not surprised by your greatness—it was His idea in the first place. His joy comes when you trust Him enough to live it. To shut out the world’s noise, and to say yes to the impossible.

Jeremiah 9:23-24, “This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.”

So, I’ll ask again: What is your great ambition, and are you ready to make it a reality?

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank you for making me fearfully and wonderfully. Forgive me for doubting my worth or listening more to the world than you. Ignite in me a holy passion that cannot be extinguished. Give me courage to step into the unknown, to pursue the purpose You planted within me, and to make You smile with my obedience. May my life reflect Your design and bring glory to Your name. Amen.

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