Tag: Blessings

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Living the Life of Esther: Embracing Your God-Given Purpose

Overcoming difficultiesLiving the life of Ester: embracing your God-given purpose. Have you ever wondered if you’re where you’re meant to be? The story of Esther offers profound insight into how God orchestrates our lives to fulfill His purposes. In Esther 4:12-14, Mordecai’s words remind us of our divine placement: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Even when we don’t realize it, we are precisely where God wants us to be.

Esther 4:12-14, “When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house, you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

“The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.” – Billy Graham.

God’s Plan for You

The story of Esther is a testament to God’s intricate and long-term planning. From the exile of the Jews under Nebuchadnezzar to Esther’s adoption by Mordecai, from Queen Vashti’s fall to Esther’s rise in King Xerxes’ court, every event was part of God’s plan to save His people. Esther’s position wasn’t an accident; it was divinely orchestrated.

Mordecai’s message also serves as a challenge: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place.” This underscores two key truths: you are where God wants you, and if you don’t act, He will use someone else to accomplish His will.

You Are Where God Wants You

Don’t spend too much time questioning your placement. You’re where God wants you to be. Look around and recognize the opportunities in front of you. Your mission field begins when you wake up and lasts until you close your eyes at night. It may not be your ultimate calling, but it is your purpose for today.

“Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” – Jim Elliot

Like Esther, your journey may include trials and uncertainty. She likely didn’t view her exile or the loss of her parents as blessings. Serving a gentile King in a foreign land was far from ideal. Yet, God used these experiences to prepare her for a pivotal moment.

Your circumstances may not seem significant, but they are part of God’s plan. Trust that God is guiding you even if the task is daunting or unclear. Esther faced a life-threatening decision to save her people. Most of us won’t face such stakes, but we are called to act in faith daily—whether speaking to someone about our beliefs, volunteering, or simply being a light in someone’s life.

If You Don’t Seize the Opportunity, God Will Use Someone Else

God’s plan is unstoppable. The question is, will you be part of it? If you don’t act, someone else will step into the role meant for you.

Luke 19:26, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But even what little they have will be taken away from those who do nothing.”

Taking small steps in obedience prepares us for more incredible things. God doesn’t need us to fulfill His plan, but He invites us to join Him to share in His joy. As the lyrics from Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” express, “I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time.” That’s how God feels about you. He has pursued you from the beginning of time to position you for a life of purpose and joy.

Live Fully in Today’s Mission Field

Luke 19:26, “To those who use well what they are given, even more, will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.”

Luke reminds us that we are responsible for what God puts before us. Our daily actions matter. Whether it’s a conversation with a neighbor, a gesture of kindness to a coworker, or volunteering at a local ministry, each step of obedience brings us closer to God’s purpose for our lives.

One conversation at an IMED conference resonates deeply. A participant asked how to discern if someone attending their training was the “right” person and if they would succeed. The answer was simple: God had planned it from the beginning. Our job is to pray, work diligently, and trust the results to Him.

Today, commit to living intentionally in the mission field where God has placed you. Don’t wait for tomorrow to act. Speak to the person God places in your path. Seize the moment before it passes and someone else experiences the joy God intended for you.

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Peter Pan

Key to GreatnessPeter Pan said, “You can have anything in life if you sacrifice everything else for it.”

Peter wasn’t wrong. Paul put it a little differently.

Philippians 3:7, “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”

Chasing the Fog

Accomplishments: many people, men, more likely, have sacrificed everything else to gain power, privilege, wealth, or fame. The worldly trappings and the expectations of others drove their view of self-worth; they believed Peter Pan before they believed Paul. They thought the uneasiness they felt was due to not having enough. It was just the next thing that would make a difference. Many would look back on their lives and see they had sacrificed everything in vain.

“Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.”—Jim Collins

I don’t want to be that man. I want my life to count for something. I want to leave a legacy that will echo through eternity. In my death, I want to be bigger than life itself.

Matthew 6:19-20, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.”

Gravitational Pull of the World

The world pulls at us with the gravitational pull of the Sun. It wants to keep us in its orbit of mundane, meaningless accomplishments. Eventually, our orbit will decay, and we will find nothing but a fiery finish. When time has run out, we realize that all we have accumulated will be forgotten or exploited by others we have never met. We cannot reach back for a do-over. The do-over starts now.

Ecclesiastes 5:15, “Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.”

Joy is a choice, and God wants us to choose joy, but happiness is also part of God’s plan. Not perpetual happiness with laughs and birthday cake, but true deep-down happiness that grows from the soul. The type of happiness that brings tranquil sleep. It is a happiness that radiates throughout your body in quiet moments of reflection. It is a contentment that nothing else can give.

Never is a Long Time

Peter Pan also said, “Never is an awfully long time.” To never experience the pure love of Christ is indeed a long time. It makes life a marathon in Death Valley rather than a walk in the park. To always have to trust in yourself is exhausting. To always have to know the answers, have a plan, and make a move is to live a life full of anxiety and worry.

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Seeking His kingdom and righteousness is not just putting your sights on eternity with Christ; it is to live a life worth living here on Earth. It is to free yourself from chasing the esteem of others and only pursuing God. It is about having faith, knowing that Christ is with you, and knowing your needs will be met. There will be setbacks and challenges, but you are not alone. You do not have to create the person that God wants you to be; God already created them; you must find them within yourself.

“People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.”—Edmund Hillary

Peter Pan, “To have faith is to have wings.”

Peter Pan wasn’t all wrong, but I’ll take Paul.

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Love

Christ calls us to love one another. There is a significant difference between caring for someone and being deeply connected to them. Caring involves showing compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience. It doesn’t require liking them; it’s an intentional act that soothes their wounds and quenches their thirst. Being deeply connected goes further. It includes all care qualities but adds a profound passion and longing. To feel this connection is prioritizing them above all else—it is an act of selflessness.

Love is not only something you feel; it is something you do. – David Wilkerson

1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.”

However, being in love is not the same as being co-dependent. Needing someone for your survival turns love into parasitism, draining their energy for your sustenance. Sometimes, we encounter people who seem to complete us, fill a void, or make us feel worthy, but this isn’t love—it’s addiction.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Christ’s devotion to us is profound and unwavering. He extends compassion, grace, kindness, and patience, giving His very life so we might have eternal life. Jesus does not demand that we fully comprehend the depth of His sacrifice—a passion so great that He gave Himself for a world that rejected Him. God’s care is entirely selfless, requiring nothing from us to complete Him, fill a void, or affirm His worth. It is a commitment so powerful that He offered His Son to endure a horrific death, all so that we might live.

John 15:12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Every Day 

1 John 4:7-8, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love.”

He commanded that we love one another and treat one another with intentionality that goes beyond personal comfort. We are to put doing right ahead of being right. Trying to survive in a broken world is enough for humans. We see the seeds of hate everywhere. We are constantly immersed in a world where being right is much more important than doing right. Somehow, our opinions and attitudes are the drivers of the world. We lose sight of the fact that God decides the world’s future, not humankind. Our opinions are just opinions; they shape our thinking and attitudes, but not the future.

Ephesians 4:2, “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”

I’ve realized that when people treat me unkindly, it’s rarely about who I am but rather a reflection of their life experiences. Seeds of anger and disrespect were sown in their hearts long before our paths crossed. Often, a small, insignificant act triggers these buried emotions to surface. Loving them means looking beyond the hurtful behavior and recognizing it as the overflow of past pain.

Choosing to love in those moments is no small task. It’s easy to see ourselves as victims of the interaction, but we must remember that God’s love for us covers every inequity we may endure on this spinning orb. His love reminds us that our time here is fleeting while eternity stretches endlessly ahead.

John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Sacrificial 

Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

The concept of romantic connection is often misunderstood. Much of psychology emphasizes that humans are inherently self-interested—that every interaction involves, and will always involve, some form of personal benefit. Psychologists are correct in this: We are not divine. So, how can we truly connect on a deeper level if we are imperfect? In a fractured world, that question becomes layered and challenging.

To build healthy relationships, one must first find security in who God created them to be. If someone feels incomplete, they will search for validation elsewhere. But the truth is, God does not create incomplete people—fear and doubt do. When God gave His Son for humanity, it wasn’t because He lacked anything. He acted out of the certainty of His purpose and the depth of His care. As children of God, made in His image, we must embrace this truth about ourselves before forming authentic bonds with others.

Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

To be devoted to someone means placing their well-being above your own—not by indulging their every desire, but by serving them in ways that truly benefit them. Imagine two people so deeply devoted to each other that each willingly sacrifices their happiness for the other’s sake. In this mutual selflessness, both would find immense joy in the other’s happiness.

However, we live in a fallen world, and achieving even a glimpse of this level of caring requires sacrifice and intentionality. It demands a conscious effort to prioritize the other person’s needs while striving to love gracefully and purposefully.

God’s Love

1 John 4:16, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

God’s caring for us is perfect, unblemished, and forever. There is nothing we can do to separate us from that. His unwavering desire for us gives us the power to care for others.

Romans 8:31-39, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

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Hope and Love in a Season of Grace

Proclaiming hope and love in a season of grace is one of our most critical missions as Christians. This Christmas season can be highly stressful for many people.

Luke 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, set free those oppressed, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Urgency

These words carry a sense of urgency and purpose, a call to action that feels especially relevant in a year marked by chaos and challenges. Amid the dysfunction, God’s voice remains clear, challenging us to proclaim His favor and glory to all who cross our paths.

“Best of all, Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and the love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness, a time when our thoughts and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God.” – George McDougall.

This season, my plea is simple yet profound: reach out to hurting people. Extend not empty platitudes but genuine love. Quiet desperation is a silent killer, an emotion that suffocates the soul.

As we enter this season of celebration, I urge you to reach out to hurting people and offer them a lifeline. Don’t aim to cheer them up or solve their problems—love them. Many people battle quiet desperation, a stifling emotion that isolates and burdens. While we are not the ultimate solution, God can work through us to bring light to their darkness.

Fortune

For those fortunate enough to recognize God’s blessings, this season is a time to reflect with gratitude.

Psalm 100:4-5: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good, and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

We celebrate relationships, opportunities, and the hope of a brighter future, grounded in the knowledge that God has given us the choice to embrace hope in this moment.

But not everyone experiences this season with such gratitude. For some, the holidays are a stark reminder of what they lack. Broken relationships cast long shadows, opportunities feel distant, and the future appears uncertain. Their thoughts swirl with regret over what might have been, and their hearts grow heavy with grief. Life for them is not a glass half empty; it’s a glass that feels too small to hold anything at all.

Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

These words remind us of God’s nearness to those in despair and call us to embody His compassion by extending love and hope.

Seasons of Darkness

Having faced my seasons of darkness, I know the despair that can rob a person of hope. For some, Christmas is not a celebration but an escape—a time to forget pain rather than reflect on joy. The light others see as hope can feel like the oncoming glare of despair. For those without Christ, peace feels unattainable, and the promise of salvation seems like a distant dream. I have been there, praying for the pain to end, longing for peace that seemed out of reach. Yet, peace without Christ is an illusion, and our true destination without Him is one we dare not desire.

Matthew 25:45: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Celebrate

This Christmas, I urge you to invest in someone else’s life. Don’t try to fix their problems; instead, be a source of hope. Walk alongside them in their journey. Let them see God’s love through your actions and presence.

Be the one who brings light to another’s darkness, the one God rejoices over. This season, choose love, hope, and be a vessel of God’s grace to those who need it most.

May His love be poured out upon you, and may you be filled with His love this Christmas. May the true meaning of Christmas bring you great joy, peace, comfort, and many other blessings.

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Right Where God Meant You to Be

You are right where God meant you to be. In darker moments, that is hard to comprehend; in lighter moments, we forget it is not serendipitous.  

Ephesians 2:7: “Now God has us where He wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus.”

Wherever You Are Intended

 Wherever you are today—whether it feels like a mountaintop of joy or a valley of uncertainty—remember this: God circled this spot on the map for you. The 12th-century Persian poet Hafiz foretold this: “The place you are right now, God circled on the map for you.”

Where does this season find you? Are you surrounded by family and friends, basking in love and warmth? Or are you navigating unexpected detours far from where you hoped to be? Life has twists and turns, but moments are filled with purpose wherever you stand today.

Ephesians 1:3-10, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”

This passage reassures us that before the foundation of the world, God chose us and poured out every spiritual blessing in Christ. He has a plan, even when life feels chaotic or off-course. There is no perfect job, relationship, or life—only perfect moments. Don’t miss them by chasing what isn’t meant to be. Instead, lean into the now, trusting the Author of your story.

You Are Meant to Greatness

Consider Paul, stranded in Malta; Esther, serving a pagan king; Jonah, in the belly of a whale; and Joseph, betrayed by his family. Each one found themselves exactly where God had written them to be, their detours transforming into destiny. The shepherds meant to find the King of Kings in a palace but instead found Him in a humble stable. Your journey is no different with its peaks and valleys—it’s all part of God’s perfect design.

Romans 8:29: “For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”

Every action, every step, is an opportunity to worship. Even in failure, there is glory. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life is a powerful reminder. Though his earthly plans ended at the gallows, his unwavering faith became a testimony that lives on. What some might see as failure, God glorifies.

Becoming

Like Jonah’s journey through the deep or Moses’ exile to the wilderness, your path has meaning. It’s not about where you are but about who you are becoming. Will you worship in the waiting? Will you find joy in the journey, trusting that God works all things together for good?

Matthew 12:30: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

This moment—right here, right now—is your chance to praise the One who created you. Will you acknowledge His hand in your life, triumph, or trial? Let your worship shine, becoming a light for those around you.

Christmas

Every day is Christmas—it is meant to celebrate the love, hope, and redemption born through Christ. As 1 Peter 3:15 urges, always be ready to share the hope within you with gentleness and respect. Let today be a day of gratitude and worship, no matter where you are. This moment is not random; it’s a divine appointment.

Seize it.

1 Chronicles 16:23: “Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.”

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Are You Missing the Blessings

How many of us are missing the blessings given to us by Christ? We pray for an outcome that never arrives, or maybe it does. The fast pace of life focuses so much on our needs and wants that we do not see what God is doing. We have a plan, and God is part of that plan, and we expend all our energy and time living that plan.

Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

“Roughly half of Jesus’ miracles were interruptions. He had a plan, he had a destination, but he was interruptible. I wonder how many of us miss what God is doing because we hold too tightly to our plans.” – Mark Batterson’s book “The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears.”

God Interrupts Us With Blessings.

God interrupts us with the unexpected. I was once hiking with a new friend. I walked faster than he did. He commented on his perception that I was so busy hiking I did not take in or appreciate what I was hiking through. He was right. I planned to get from point “A” to point “B.” I didn’t appreciate all the beautiful gifts God gave me along the way, missing the blessings created by Him. Seeing them was not part of my plan. Hiking in the woods was about an accomplishment, not an experience.

Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Most people live in this action-constrained bubble where cause and effect rules our decisions. We get an idea that immediately germinates an action plan with multiple possible paths. We are then fixated on outcomes. Each outcome produces another potential path or even numerous paths. We lose track of intent. The idea that created the activity becomes lost in the execution. God may have initiated the original idea, but then somehow became just one of the elements required for success. We focus too much on future outcomes and their potential to live in the moment.

The present is the only moment where time touches eternity. – C.S. Lewis’s book “Reflections”

Life is Moments

God lives in the moment. With God, what we experience in the moment dictates the future. He blesses us in the moment. We may not experience the culmination of the blessing until some future point, but God delivers it at the exact time and place that he has chosen. If we fixate too much on the outcome, we may lose what God is doing in the present.

Numbers 6:24: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

God wrote our story. He knows every chapter and verse. We live it word by word. Because we can not see the future, we mitigate risk by creating elaborate plans to deal with unexpected occurrences. Then, we tend to manage our expectations based on that plan. Because of this, we may miss a blessing God is bestowing on us today because of a future event that He is aware of. That event is not part of our current plan.

Capturing Blessing

I suggest taking the time and effort to see how God works in your life unexpectedly. Finding the unexpected will require intentionality. You must look for the unexpected. Do you consider your opportunities, friends, experiences, and time a blessing? Let me give you a couple of examples. Imagine you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, standing in line at a coffee shop. A stranger ahead of you notices and offers a kind smile or starts a lighthearted conversation. Do you see it as God speaking to you?

In another scenario, a stranger might help you in a moment of need, like picking up something you’ve dropped or giving directions when lost. Did God intervene?

Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Such encounters are blessings. They are part of God’s plan for your life. Do you acknowledge them in the moment? Acknowledging the little things makes the big things more palpable. Knowing God cares about you daily gives you strength during uncertainty or turmoil.

James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

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The Legacy of Time

The legacy of time. All of us leave a legacy; it can be good or bad. The definition of legacy is something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past.

Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Legacy versus Tradition

The thought that keeps going through my head is not how many seeds are in an apple, but how many apples are in a seed? That question goes to legacy. Most people evaluate the number of people they affect through evangelism as their legacy. That is the definition of how many seeds are planted. What is forgotten is that each seed has the potential to be an apple tree, not just an apple. That apple tree will produce many apples over many years. Each apple has many seeds. Some seeds will fall to the ground, become planted, and germinate into another apple tree, producing fruit. A small portion of the apple seeds from that tree will fall to the ground, be planted, and production will continue. That I see as a legacy.

Luke 12:33: “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches, and no moth destroys.”

That planting of the first seed is good works. It is the temporal activity of good Christians. It may take years for that seed to grow into a tree that can sustain fruit. That tree may not see that some seeds fell on fertile ground and started to grow. Because we cannot know the future, every seed planted is important. Good works eventually produced a good legacy.

Fleeting Legacies

Most of what we consider legacy is more in line with temporary, fleeting, or transient. We create traditions and cultures that last a few generations and then dissipate. We give material goods that are soon forgotten or replaced. Creating a true legacy is about permanence, rippling through time, separate from ourselves. True legacy does not require or even promote self-awareness. Your family name on a building or a non-profit in your honor is fleeting at best.

Luke 12:20-21: “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night, your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

A legacy isn’t confined to years, decades, centuries, or even millennia; it transcends time and touches eternity. It is about fundamentally shifting the trajectory of humankind, inch-by-inch. This concept may sound too big for it to be achievable. But it is not; you’re planting apple seeds. It is not for you to carry the legacy to a conclusion. You should start with a few seeds and then let God do His thing.

I love this quote: “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”, by Edward Everett Hale. It is the essence of leaving a great legacy. It is about apple seeds, not apple orchards, apple trees, or even individual apples.

Johnny Appleseed

1 Corinthians 3:8: “He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.”

There is already one man who has gone before you. Johnny Appleseed (born Johnathan Chapman; September 26, 1774 – March 18, 1845) was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced trees grown with apple seeds (as opposed to trees grown with grafting) to large parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Ontario, as well as the northern counties of West Virginia. He became an American legend while still alive due to his kind, generous ways, his leadership in conservation, and the symbolic importance that he attributed to apples. He was also a missionary for the Church of New Jerusalem of Manchester, England. Orchards attributed to him still produce fruit today.

Johnathan Chapman left a limited legacy through his distribution of apple seeds and an eternal legacy through his missionary work.

Colossians 3:1-3: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

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Reflecting

Reflecting on the upcoming holidays and their meaning to me through the years has brought me to a story.

Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

As we move through this season, we naturally reflect on gratitude. Thanksgiving draws us to consider our blessings. Christmas invites us to show love and appreciation to others, including those whose struggles we might not personally know. Then comes New Year’s, a time for renewal, as we commit to becoming the best versions of ourselves. Gratitude, love, and hope—these themes call us to live with purpose.

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

I started remembering one of my most cherished memories and how powerful gratitude can be when shared.

A Story

“That’s because sympathy identifies with the problem, but compassion gets up, looks up, and says, I need to do something about this.” – Brian Houston, Live Love Lead: Your Best Is Yet to Come!

Years ago, I attended the Dogwood Art Festival in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. The spring weather was flawless, with blue skies, cotton-candy clouds, and dogwoods in full bloom. Artists displayed their passion through beautiful creations, and I was content simply soaking in the scene.

As I sat on a picnic bench, a woman joined me. She was unremarkable in appearance but soon revealed a life marked by struggle. She mentioned how she could live for a year on the cost of some of the art displayed. Her comment opened a door to a deep conversation.

She shared her story: a life of hardship, poor decisions, and broken opportunities. She was living in a halfway house after being released from prison, striving to rebuild her life. Her dream was simple—to live a normal life with work, friends, and stability. Yet, she felt the weight of her past holding her back.

Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

A Choice

God has a way of placing people in our paths at just the right moment. I shared with her about God’s plans—plans not to harm, but to prosper. I encouraged her to surrender her plan for His, to find a church where she could grow, and to join a group of believers who would walk alongside her.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

During our talk, her demeanor changed. She sat taller, her face softened, and her eyes brightened She admitted she had heard of Christ’s love before but had always put off exploring it. She resolved to connect with a nearby church where she knew some members who visited her halfway house.

I don’t know how her story unfolded, but I trust in God’s timing. I was just one part of her journey—perhaps a small catalyst in God’s grand plan for her life.

Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”

A Moral

This experience reminds me that sharing God’s love is more than an obligation—it’s a privilege. By sharing the richness of His blessings in our lives, we allow others to see His transformative power.

1 Corinthians 9:10 affirms: “Whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.”

May this season inspire you to live with thankfulness, share God’s love with others, and embrace the peace of Christ in your heart.

Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

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Whose Life are You Going to Change?

Whose life are you going to change? I heard this as part of a discussion about the Oregon Ducks commemorating fallen players. As they hiked up the mountain trail, the coach asked them to remember those who helped them become who they are. On the return trip down the mountain, the coach asked them to think about those they would impact to change their lives in much the same way.

Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Life

“I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will” ~ Edward Everett Hale.

We all leave a legacy. That is not a choice we get to make. It is an artifact of our existence. As we go through life, we leave our fingerprints on everything we touch. The real question that comes to mind is: Are we approaching this with intentionality? Do we acknowledge that we will leave a legacy and have a plan to make it meaningful?

I firmly believe that God created each of us unique and perfect for his plans. We cannot be someone else, and they cannot be us. As people, we can value the characteristics and achievements of others, but we were not created to duplicate them. We each have our own path through life.

“What you are is God’s gift to you; what you become is your gift to God.” ~ Hans Urs von Balthasar

Change

Planning at the macro level, with blue-sky objectives and lifetime bucket lists, is admirable, but it doesn’t prepare you for your impact on the lives God sends through your life. These people will be imprinted by your presence, good or bad. Every interaction brings a person closer to Christ or pushes them further away. No interaction is neutral. When we acknowledge that every moment and every interaction is essential to God’s plan, that is when our royal legacy takes seed. Through the acceptance that we matter to God and, therefore, everyone we encounter also matters to Him, actions start to germinate.

Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

So often, we pass through life thinking that our immediate reaction won’t matter in the long run. God will forgive a momentary relapse to our old self. We can even go to the offended party and ask for forgiveness, but other eyes are watching, people we may never have direct contact with. These are the hidden lives God sends our way—people unprepared for direct interaction but still need encouragement. In that hidden moment, they may decide that Christianity does not offer the solution they seek.

Judgment

Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”

In Revelations, the Bible talks about the White Throne of Judgement. Christ will judge the living and dead. Christians will not be judged for their sins; Christ has already forgiven them. They will be judged for their actions for Christ since they knew Him. Don’t let these moments slip away. Be intentional. Ask God for opportunities. Make a plan, rehearse your approach, be open to opportunities, and obey. We are not all destined to do great things, but we all can be great to someone.

Revelations 20: 12, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”

Attending church, Bible Studies, praying, and mission trips prepare you for God’s plan for your life. But your true glorification of Christ is through expanding His Kingdom here on earth. You accomplish this by changing the lives of the people God puts in front of you. At that moment in front of the White Throne, you don’t have to have done anything; your salvation is assured. But I don’t think I would want to defend the position that my lifestyle, financial security, social position, or personal insecurity were more important. I could have had an impact for Christ; I just didn’t.

Hebrews 13:16, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Homecoming

Homecoming should be a celebration. We should look forward to it. If you are a little trepid about explaining what you have done for Christ since you accepted Him as your personal Savior, maybe you need to rethink your plan. It is never too late to start anew. Leave a legacy, change a life. Make your homecoming a party to look forward to.

1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. “

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Purpose and Meaning, Aspiration, Not Occupation

Can we find true purpose and meaning through aspiration, not occupation? In today’s world, people often associate their identity with their careers or vocations, believing that their worth and purpose are tied to what they do for a living. However, Christianity offers a different perspective: true purpose and meaning come not from occupation but from godly aspiration—seeking to live out God’s calling and aligning our lives with His will.

“View yourself as a precious vessel He crafted for a unique purpose.” – Patricia Ennis.

The Power of Aspiration

In Christianity, aspiration is about more than personal dreams or ambitions. It reflects a desire to glorify God and live according to His purposes. When we aspire to love, serve, and reflect Christ’s character, we tap into something far more significant than worldly success. This change in thinking can take many forms: fostering compassion, spreading the Gospel, advocating for justice, or cultivating spiritual growth. These aspirations serve others and bring us closer to God, aligning our hearts with His divine plan.

Isaiah 43:7, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

Occupation vs. Aspiration

“What you are is God’s gift to you; what you become is your gift to God.” – Hans Urs von Balthasar.

While jobs provide necessary structure and support, they do not define us in God’s eyes. Many people feel unfulfilled in careers that do not align with their faith or deeper values. This discontent stems from the realization that work alone cannot fulfill the soul’s longing for meaning. The Bible reminds us that whatever we do, we should do it as unto the Lord.

Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people.”

Whether we are teachers, office workers, or stay-at-home parents, it’s not the job itself that gives meaning but how we use it to serve God’s purposes.

The Transformative Journey

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

Even mundane tasks take on new significance when we focus on godly aspirations. Teachers may see their role as educating and shaping young minds for Christ. An office worker might find purpose in being a beacon of integrity and kindness in their workplace. By centering our lives on Christ and aspiring to live out His love in every action, our daily experiences become opportunities to witness and serve.

2 Timothy 1:9, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”

Cultivating Aspiration

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

To embrace this Christian view of aspiration, we must seek God in prayer and reflection, asking Him to reveal His plan for our lives. The Bible encourages us to set our hearts on things above, not earthly matters.

Colossians 3:2, “Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth.”

We discover our true purpose by nurturing aspirations that align with God’s will—loving our neighbors, spreading the Good News, and growing in faith. Surrounding ourselves with a faith community that encourages spiritual growth can help us stay focused on what matters eternally rather than temporally.

Conclusion

In the Christian pursuit of purpose, it’s essential to remember that our worth is rooted in being children of God, not in our jobs or worldly achievements. When we nurture our aspirations following God’s will, we unlock a more profound sense of meaning that transcends occupation. This perspective enriches our lives and enables us to fulfill our higher calling—to serve God and impact the world for His glory. Embrace your aspirations in Christ, for they are the accurate compass guiding you toward a life of purpose and fulfillment.

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

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