Tag: Contentment

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The Answer I Didn’t Expect

Answered PrayerThe answer I didn’t expect was created because it wasn’t within my design.

I asked for Strength, God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom; God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for Courage, God gave me difficulties to overcome.
I asked for Love, God gave me troubled people to help.

James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Missed Answers

When I first read this quote, it stopped me. Not because it was profound, which it is, but because it held a mirror to my own life. For years, I have prayed for strength, wisdom, courage, and love. But I didn’t always recognize the answers when they came. Sometimes, they appeared as an inconvenience; other times, as a hardship. And often, they showed up wearing the face of someone in need.

Proverbs 16:16, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”

“Faithful servants have a way of knowing answered prayer when they see it, and a way of not giving up when they don’t.” – Max Lucado.

It’s easy to assume that when we ask God for something good, the answer will be immediate and obvious—a clear path, a burst of energy, a wise insight at just the right time. But more often, God works through the long road. He doesn’t hand us strength like a tool; He gives us opportunities to become strong. And that usually means facing difficulty, struggle, and pain— the kind that tests our resolve and stretches our soul until we feel like snapping.

Psalm 56:3-4, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise— in God, I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Answers Refined through Fire

I’ve worked among people who have very little by the world’s standards—materially, economically, and politically. And yet they are some of the wealthiest people I’ve known. Why? Because they live lives filled with difficulty that have taught them endurance, humility, and generosity. They don’t ask for an easy life. They ask for the grace to keep going. They don’t quote books, they live wisdom.

God’s answers are rarely what I imagined. When I asked for wisdom, I found myself in rooms where I didn’t understand the language or the culture, trying to solve problems I didn’t create. When I asked for courage, I was sent into uncertain territory, sometimes physically, often spiritually. And when I asked for love, I was given the chance to care for people whose needs and pain made me uncomfortable, people who challenged my assumptions, interrupted my plans, and needed more than I thought I could give.

1 John 4:7, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

Answers Disguised as Burdens

In those moments, I’ve learned something important: God’s blessings often come disguised as burdens. And in serving others, especially the “troubled people” the quote mentions, I’ve discovered not only love but the very heart of God.

Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

This quote isn’t a feel-good slogan; it’s a map, a pattern, a reminder that the life of faith isn’t about avoiding pain or staying comfortable—it’s about transformation. We are forged in the fire of difficulty, not destroyed by it. We grow through the problems we’re called to solve. We find courage not in the absence of fear, but in facing it with purpose. And we learn to love by pouring ourselves out for others, especially those the world has forgotten.

True Blessings

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed or underprepared, take heart. Perhaps you’re not failing; maybe you’re in the middle of an answered prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

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Blessed are the Merciful

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

Mercy: “Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” We live in a dog-eat-dog world: competition and the desire to get ahead are hammering at us from all directions. We don’t always see someone else as someone we can harm, we see them as just another meat popsicle in a world of meat popsicles. Compassion and kindness is something you want, not something you give.

That sounds harsh, but it is how most people view life. Showing mercy should mean doing what is right, not what you have the right to do. It means not being constrained by legalism.

What is Mercy?

Mercy is being kind to the grump next door. It lets someone else have the last sandwich, cookie, or pie. Mercy shows grace to someone wrong but whose bias shields them from the truth. It is taking the time to listen when it is your turn to talk. Mercy is not overpowering someone with your force of will but using gentle persuasion. Mercy is remarkably patient and kind.

Matthew 9:13, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Each of us is given a position of leadership. That could mean setting an example for siblings, raising children, heading a household, or holding a position of authority. From time to time, we are given the power to control others. How do we use that power? Do we use it as an opportunity to serve and be an example, or is our life so hectic and chaotic that we want the shortest path from point A to point B? Worse yet, have people controlled us with power, so we use our power as an opportunity to get back in control?

Matthew 6:14, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Being Merciful

Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

“Justice is when you get what you deserve. Mercy is when you don’t get what you deserve. Grace is when you get what you don’t deserve.” — Anonymous.

Being merciful and being meek are interrelated. We talked about meekness and God’s desire for us to approach each interaction with a sense of humility. Humility is the foundation of mercy. Once we understand that we are saved through God’s mercy, through no effort of our own, then we can extend that same attitude toward others.

Psalm 40:11, “Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.”

Can we expect compassion and kindness when we do not extend it to others? We, as Christians, are an extension of God’s kingdom here on earth. How can we expect to receive something ourselves if we do not give it to others? Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them that fear and sin not. – Thomas Watson, The Beatitudes

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An Opinion is only a State of Mind.

Christians making ChristiansAn opinion is only a state of mind; it does not predict the future. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines opinion as “a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter.” We too often give too much credence to someone’s opinion, including our own. Many of the disagreements I hear are formed when opinions differ.

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” — Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning.

Christian Opinion

As a Christian, I think it is time to walk back our opinions. We often take too strong a stand on our emotional state about a subject. The genesis of our opinions is not our knowledge of the future, but environmental elements of our past. We form opinions because of past experiences, cultural, or social influences, media information, peer pressure, group dynamics, personal and emotional bias, education, and personal interest. There are probably many other reasons, but none of these reasons is knowledge of the future.

Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Having a strong opinion about a matter does nothing to make a difference. Making a difference comes from active involvement in relieving the condition you oppose or improving a condition in which you feel a deficit. Telling everyone you meet your opinion only stirs up controversy. Controversy gives birth to anxiety, which fosters conflict.

2 Timothy 2:23-24 – “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil.”

Influencers

We live in a dysfunctional world full of misinformation and half-truths. Millions of people write online articles to create conflict by influencing public opinion. They do this out of greed, not as a public service. The more diversion they can create, the more site traffic they create, the more advertising income they receive. These are not people interested in improving the world. Their goal is to create income with passionate speeches and convoluted logic.

Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

“Tolerance isn’t about not having beliefs. It’s about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree with you.” – Tim Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (2008)

There are legitimate influencers with a true passion for their cause. Some of their causes are misguided and based on sketchy logic, but they are heartfelt. Some influencers take great pains to find the truth and communicate it with an objective view, but it is rare. We are all influenced by the abovementioned reasons; no one is above unconscious influence.

Our Position

Proverbs 18:2 – “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

“One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time.”- John Piper, A Godward Life: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life (1997)

Our position as Christians is to rise above the ordinary. We can’t stop having opinions—God-given emotions overflow into opinions—but we can watch how we communicate them; consciously acknowledging that they are emotions, not facts. Changing the future by arguing a position is counterintuitive. We change the future by doing, not talking.

James 1:19 – “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

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Change: What You Are Not Changing You Are Choosing

God is a God of ChangeWhat You Are Not Changing You Are Choosing is a quote from Laurie Buchanan. It suggests that you are implicitly accepting it as your reality by not taking action to change a situation.

We face choices daily—some we make actively, others through inaction. Yet, the truth remains: what we refuse to change, we are choosing. Scripture teaches us that God calls us active participants in our faith and lives, not passive bystanders.

Deuteronomy 30:19, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live.”

This verse reminds us that choosing to remain in unhealthy patterns, toxic environments, or spiritual complacency is still a choice—one that can keep us from the abundant life God intends for us.

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis.

Are You Settling for Less Than God’s Best?

Are you staying in a situation that drains your spirit, hoping it will somehow change on its own? Are you waiting for the “right time” to grow spiritually, mend a broken relationship, or pursue the calling God has placed on your heart?

James 4:17, “If anyone knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin.”

Inaction is still a decision when we know we need to act.

Faith Requires Action

Jesus often called people to step out in faith before transformation happened. The blind man had to wash in the pool (John 9:7), Peter had to step out of the boat (Matthew 14:29), and the woman with the issue of blood had to push through the crowd to touch Jesus’ robe (Mark 5:27-28). Each had a choice: remain the same or move toward change.

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” – Oswald Chambers.

So ask yourself:

What area of my life am I waiting for God to change when He is waiting for me to take action?

What fear is holding me back, and am I trusting God’s strength over my own?

Am I praying for change but resisting the steps God is prompting me to take?

God’s Promise for Those Who Choose Change

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

God does not call you to change on your own—God equips, strengthens, and walks with you.

If you’re not actively choosing growth, renewal, and obedience to God’s direction, you may choose stagnation, fear, or comfort over calling. But the good news is, today is a new opportunity to choose differently.

What will you choose?

Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

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Breaking Free: Doing That For Which You Were Created

Kyrgyzstan Winter photo by Nelly Kazykhodzhaeva 2024“Breaking Free: Doing That For Which You Were Created.” Have you ever felt like you might not be doing the right thing or that you’re just in the wrong place? It’s a familiar feeling, and we find ourselves in such situations for many reasons. Ideally, passion drives us—we discover what we love, pursue it, and thrive in it. But for many, that’s the exception rather than the rule.

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” — C.S. Lewis, crediting Carl Bard.

Often, we start doing something, get good at it over time, and feel stuck because we’ve invested so much effort. The idea of starting over feels daunting, so we stay on a path that may not bring true fulfillment. Here’s the cautionary tale: no matter how much success or power you gain, there will always be an empty spot if you do not align yourself with your purpose. Think of David’s journey or Joseph.

Gallup’s Global Workplace Report (2022) reveals that only 21% of employees worldwide are satisfied with their work. This study indicates a widespread disconnect, with many feeling their jobs lack meaning or hope for the future. That’s not God’s plan for your life. His design is for you to experience joy, hope, and purpose.

The world is full of people treading water—moving along paths, unsure how to leave. Life has conditioned us to believe it is about survival, not happiness. But this is a misconception. God created you for more.

Here are some of my guiding principles to help you discern your purpose:

Doing Builds on Your Past

1 Peter 4:10: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Every season in life builds upon the last, preparing us for the next. God uses your experiences, even the difficult ones, to shape your future. Those dark times, when things didn’t go as planned, can become the roots of compassion and relatability.

If the direction you’re considering doesn’t incorporate your past experiences, pause and reevaluate. God never wastes what He’s invested in you.

You Have the Right Experience

James 1:17: “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”

Purpose aligns with the skills and knowledge you’ve already acquired. While growth is essential, if your next step requires constantly struggling with tasks you dislike or don’t excel at, it’s unlikely to bring lasting joy.

Sacrifice is necessary at times, but constant sacrifice can lead to burnout. Align your calling with your strengths to serve others joyfully.

It’s the Right Time

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

Timing is crucial. God grooms us for the right moment, instilling new skills, connecting us with the right people, and planting the desire for change. It might not be the right time if a decision feels forced or premature.

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” — Frederick Buechner.

However, don’t let fear hold you back. There’s a difference between bad timing and resistance to change. Trust God’s leading to discern which it is.

You’re Qualified

1 Corinthians 12:4: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.”

Hard skills are essential, but they’re not the only measure of qualification. Passion and aptitude matter just as much. Soft skills—the essence of who you are—must align with your calling. You’ll burn out if you constantly push yourself out of your comfort zone. God designed you uniquely for your purpose, and it will align with who you are.

Doing Brings Joy

God’s purpose for you will ignite your passion. Ask yourself, “If I did this for the rest of my life, would it bring me joy?” Life is too short to ignore what excites your soul. God wants you to delight in the work He has prepared for you.

Seek Clarity

Finding your purpose is like searching for a unicorn—rare and challenging but worth it. Personal honesty is vital. Be open to the insights of others who know you well, as they might see strengths you’ve overlooked.

Remember, life unfolds in seasons. Each season builds upon the last, honing your skills and preparing you for the next chapter of God’s plan. Don’t view your purpose as static but as a dynamic journey of growth and discovery.

Trust in God’s timing, lean into your experiences and embrace the joy He has prepared for you. Your purpose is waiting—step into it boldly and confidently.

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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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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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Trusting in God’s Plan

Trusting in God’s plan when the future is unknown and incredibly important, takes not just faith but courage. In the chaos of life, it’s easy to feel lost, like I’m stumbling around in the dark, searching for direction. The world constantly demands that I have everything figured out—my career, relationships, and future. I feel pressure to know what’s next and plan every step meticulously, and yet, the more I try to control things, the more uncertain I become. I wonder, am I truly following the right path or just wandering aimlessly, hoping for the best?

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

This verse speaks to me because it reminds me that my plans aren’t the end of the story—God’s plans are. But trusting Him is hard when the road ahead is muddled.

“The most important lesson I have learned is to trust God in every circumstance. Lots of times, we go through different trials, and following God’s plan seems like it doesn’t make any sense at all. God is always in control and will never leave us.” – Allyson Felix, Olympic champion and ten-time U.S. national champion

Hard to Move Forward

There are moments when I’ve tried to move forward, thinking I’m on the right track, only to be met with obstacles. These setbacks often feel like failures. I ask myself, “Did I misinterpret what God wanted for me? Did I miss a sign along the way?” It’s easy to get discouraged and doubt whether I can discern His will.

Isaiah 55:8-9, where God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.”

His perspective is much broader than mine, and what feels like failure from my limited perspective may be part of a larger, divine plan. Perhaps the closed doors and disappointments are not rejections but redirections—God is steering me toward something better than I could have imagined.

Walking by faith

2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Walking by faith means moving forward even when I don’t have all the answers, trusting that God sees the bigger picture. It requires surrendering my need for control and admitting that I can’t always understand His timing or methods. But I find peace in those moments of letting go, knowing He guides me.

This surrender doesn’t mean that the journey will be easy. There will still be struggles, doubts, and lonely moments. But in those moments, I can rest in this truth.

Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Even when I can’t see it, God works for my good. His purpose for my life is far greater than the plans I’ve made for myself.

I’ve also learned that trusting God’s plan doesn’t mean I’m passive. It’s easy to think that faith is simply waiting for God to show up, but genuine faith is active. Genuine faith is about stepping out, even when unsure of the outcome. It’s about being diligent in prayer, seeking wise counsel, and being willing to follow wherever God leads, even into the unknown.

“There is a grand designer behind everything. God’s plan for your life is all that happens to you, including your mistakes, sins, and hurts.” – Rick Warren.

The more I walk this journey of faith, the more I realize that success isn’t about achieving worldly goals. True success is about faithfulness—being faithful in small things, daily tasks, and moments when it feels like nothing is happening.

Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”

When I commit my efforts to the Lord, He blesses them in unexpected ways.

It Comes Down to Trust

Ultimately, it all comes down to trusting in God’s plan. I trust that God knows me better than I know myself and that He has a purpose for my life.  God’s plans are far better than anything I could ever design. It’s about learning to be content in the waiting, finding peace in the not-knowing, and surrendering my plans for His perfect will.

And even when the path ahead feels foggy, I cling to this promise:

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

It’s a future I may not fully see, but I can rest in that God is already there, leading the way. My job is to trust, obey, and walk forward by faith.

1 Corinthians 2:5, “so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”

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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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