Tag: Greatness

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Happy New Year from the God of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

The God of the past, present and futureHappy New Year from the God of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. As we step into the new year, we naturally reflect on the past and make plans for the future. Often, the past has too much influence on shaping what lies ahead. The closer we get to Christ, the more we see our future as being shaped by the sins of our past.

Security for Yesterday

Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

One of the biggest challenges for Christ followers raised in modern culture is understanding God’s forgiveness. We are naturally inclined toward a quid pro quo view of transactions. Surely God must demand payment for His gift. I can’t possibly repay Him fully, but I feel I should at least try to repay Him partially.

God desires to have a relationship with you. He created you for that reason. When we couldn’t bridge the gap between us, He took on the task of reconciliation.

Ephesians 1:7, “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

That is not to say that we might experience the natural by-product of our sin while here on earth. However, that is not Him punishing us for our actions; it is we who face the natural consequences of that sin. God, through Christ’s resurrection, has bridged the great distance between our past and His future.

Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

We have to accept that forgiveness. It feels unnatural for us as humans to believe it’s fair to receive such a gift without strings attached.

Through Christ, the line of communication between God and man is always open unless broken by man himself. We are, as it were, always in the presence of our Father in Heaven. Through His Holy Spirit, God is with us always and everywhere. – John Andreas Widtsoe

Security for Today

Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The starting point is today, this very moment. God is the God of moments. Every time you feel that you might be backsliding, remember God is the God of moments. Reset, and start again. Ask for strength and forgiveness to live this moment for Him. If we live each moment, the future will take care of itself.

Exodus 14:14, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

We shouldn’t pray for a lighter load to carry but a stronger back to endure! Then the world will see that God is with us, empowering us to live in a way that reflects his love and power. –Brother Yun

The small choices you make today influence the options available for the major decisions you’ll encounter later. Almost every future event in your life can be linked to the small choices you’ve made in the past.

Security for Tomorrow

Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

You were made for great things. God has woven into every part of you to fulfill His purpose in your life. Your role is to obey His will in achieving that purpose.

As you approach 2026, your goal should be to seek and pursue God’s will in your life. It’s easy to assume that God desires what you want, but that is only true if your priority is serving Him. God’s measure of success isn’t based on worldly achievements or wealth, but instead on peace, obedience, faithfulness, and being aligned with Him. These qualities are eternal.

If your plan is His plan, then success is assured.

Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

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Paul, A Role Model for Living

Your past does not control your futureI see Paul as a role model for living. Not just because he’s passionate about sharing the gospel, but in how he lived his everyday life. It’s easy for me to depend on my past as a guide for my future. This way of thinking assumes there’s a fixed trait or unchanging characteristic in who I was that determines who I can become. It’s the old nature-versus-nurture debate. But look at Paul as an example.

Paul’s Past

Paul’s life began as an avid supporter of the Jewish religion and traditions. He was about as anti-Christ as any man in his day. He didn’t just passively ignore the teachings of Christ, but he actively persecuted His followers.

Acts 9:1-2, “Meanwhile, Saul was still issuing murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he could take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.”

His attitude toward Christ was so divisive that after his conversion to Christianity, he was feared by Christians and hated by Jews.

Acts 21:10-11: “After we had been there for several days, a prophet named Agabus arrived from Judea. When he came to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'”

I may have ignored Christ in my earlier years, but I did not actively harm Christians for their beliefs. If Paul could overcome his beginnings, why can’t I? In God’s economy, it is not where you start, but where you end up. Salvation through Christ’s resurrection erases the past and opens the future.

Paul’s Sin Nature

Paul faced the same temptations we do. The Bible isn’t specific about which sins haunted Paul, only that they did.

Romans 7:15-20, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”

Paul wasn’t a superhero immune to the world around him. He was human, and therefore, he faced temptation. Paul believed in Christ to the point of imprisonment and torture, yet he still struggled with sin. If Paul, who was entirely devoted to Christ, struggled, why do I expect otherwise?

Paul’s Legacy

Over 2,00 years later, Paul’s words still resonate around the world. In 2025, approximately 2.64 billion Christians live worldwide, making up about one-third of the global population. Christianity remains the largest religion globally. (Lifeway Research)

Despite his treacherous beginnings and rebellious worldly nature, he made an impact that changed the world. God not only did not hold these against him but also used them to strengthen his testimony.

Now Us

Our past isn’t held against us. The blood of Christ has covered our sins. God doesn’t want us to dwell on who we were but to celebrate who we have become. We will keep fighting against the temptations of the world. God’s greatest disciple did so throughout his life, and so will we.

The obstacle we must avoid is allowing who we were to prevent us from becoming who we can be. We can be so obsessed with the past that we’re unable to build a better future. God died for our freedom from the past’s control.

God has forgiven you, and it is time for you to forgive yourself.

Ephesians 1:7, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

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Greatness: The Journey from Potential to Purpose

Not the Dreamers, but the doersGreatness. One of the images that haunts me every day of my life is that of the relentless, voracious doer of the impossible. My mind envisions the shadow of greatness; it longs to be in the presence of the world changers. I cannot fully describe the exhilaration of knowing that God has created creatures who have the potential to not only uplift those around them but also, from that nucleus, transform the world. Warriors— that word is not significant enough to define them.

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.”

The fantastic part is that each of us was created with that potential. Each of us can burst into the night sky with meaning and purpose, a purpose that drives us to chase dreams beyond our wildest hopes. God made each one of us incredible.

Jeremiah 17:7-8, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear the heat; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

The Definition of Greatness

But we allow the world to redefine us. The world isn’t able to accept who we truly are. It wants to shrink us, mold us into something less. Greatness in others can be intimidating because it reveals raw power. We fear others will use it against us instead of for us.

In each of us, there is that still, small divine voice that pleads with us to unlock the power of our greatness. We can listen to the world and become swallowed up by its petty nature. Living a life of merely existing, never reaching our full potential. Or, we can seek the divine, step outside our comfort zone, and become who we were meant to be.

“Good is the enemy of great, and that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great.” – Jim Collins, Good to Great.

Isaiah 58:11, “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

The Path to Greatness

Everyone desires greatness until they face the cost. Greatness involves sacrifices: time, rejection, sleep, doubt, anxiety, and pride. To reach true greatness, we must reject society’s narrow view of success, which often centers on money, power, position, or influence. Genuine greatness is characterized by humility, service, and sacrifice. It stems from our God-given passions. Stop depending on worldly success standards and look inward. Are you willing to risk everything for the fire in your soul, the idea you can no longer think about? Always choose the freedom given by Christ over mediocracy. Do what God has put inside you that brings you immense joy. What could you do that you might someday regret leaving behind? You could pursue this forever and still feel fulfilled.

James 2:17, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Don’t Just Be Great, Be a Legend

Do you want to become a legend, not just in name but in impact? It’s not vital that they remember your name, but that they remember who you were. They not only aspire to be like you, but they also want to pass on what you were to the next generation. God has given all of this. It’s yours to accept, not create. But it costs. The return on that investment is eternal presence in the perfection of God.

Don’t just be great—live a legacy. Let your greatness echo through eternity.

 

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Did God turn to Esther to finish what Joshua and Saul left undone?

Esther and the Amalek'sDid God turn to Esther to finish what Joshua and Saul left undone? I love the story of Esther. Mordecai’s exhortation to Esther, “Who knows—perhaps it was for a time like this…” is one of my favorite verses. It reminds me to act even when the outcome is uncertain, as evidenced by his other statement, “Even if you now remain silent, relief and deliverance will come from another source.” I know I can either be a part of God’s plan for another, or God will choose someone else.

As much as I love the story of Esther overcoming all the obstacles in her life to act when destruction is almost assured, it is not the bigger story. Esther is a living illustration of 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient…”

The Start of Esther’s Story

The larger story begins nearly a thousand years earlier, when the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. This marks the beginning of the Conquest of Canaan under Joshua, after 40 years in the wilderness (Joshua 3–4). The Amalekites had attacked the Israelites at Rephidim (Exodus 17:8), so God told Joshua, through Moses, to destroy the Amalekites.

Exodus 17:14-15, “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write this on a scroll as a reminder and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely erase the name of Amalek from under heaven. “

But Joshua didn’t; he allowed a remnant to survive. This remnant was a thorn in the side of the Jews for hundreds of years.

King Saul’s Disobedience

About four hundred years later, King Saul was instructed to carry out that judgment (1 Samuel 15:2–3). However, Saul’s disobedience—sparing King Agag—left the task incomplete. Samuel, the prophet, told Saul: “Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15:23) This declaration marked the start of the story of David and his struggle with Saul. That act of disobedience also caused ripple effects that lasted for generations.

Along Came Haman

Another six hundred years passed, and Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, an Amalek (Esther 3:1), appears. This isn’t just a minor detail in Esther’s story; it reveals Haman’s deep-seated hatred for Mordecai and everything he stood for. Since Haman was from the tribe of Amalek, this sets the stage for the story’s climax. I have always seen the story of Esther as one of an orphan who rises to become a queen and saves her people. While this is a fantastic story of God working behind the scenes to save His people, it is not the whole story.

The Destruction of Amalek’s

In Esther 8, Esther pleads with the King to undo Haman’s decree to kill the Jews. The King grants her request. This, for most purposes, would be the happy ending we all hoped for, but it is not complete. There is one more chapter. The King also decreed that the Jews could defend themselves against those plotting against them (Esther 8:9). When the day arrived, Esther got the King to extend the decree (Esther 9:9). The Jews killed seventy-five thousand Amalekites.

And Now Us

Many times, we may feel that God has forgotten us. We keep experiencing suffering. God’s timing is always perfect. There are lessons to learn and testimonies to share during dark times. When the right moment arrives, God acts. When He does, good things happen to those who love Him.

“When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds of despair, and when our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, let us remember that there is a creative force in this universe, working to pull down the gigantic mountains of evil, a power that can make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows.”—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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To A Warrior Princess, My Undying Gratitude

Warrior PrincessTo my warrior princess, you know who you are. You have changed my life for the better and challenged me to be greater.

Yesterday I talked with a friend from Kyrgyzstan. She is only in her 20s—beautiful, intelligent, and motivated. A Christian, she recently moved alone to another Central Asian country to start a ministry that reflects her faith. She is a warrior for the Kingdom of God. She will make a difference in the world around her.

Romans 10:14-15, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard, and how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” 

I Stand in Awe.

I stand in awe. The courage. The confidence. The selflessness. All gifts from God’s hand. And I wonder—what could my life have been like if, in my 20s, I had lived with that same boldness?

But here’s the truth: God creates each life uniquely. No purpose is more important than another. Impact doesn’t determine worth. God knows exactly what He is doing.

We are all created with purpose. Whether we cross borders to sow seeds of faith or quietly support a neighbor who feels overlooked, both leave a mark in eternity.

I am an engineer and a computer scientist at heart. Words are not my first language, they do reflect my experiences. Over the years, I’ve met people who will never have the material advantages I’ve had, yet they possess something far greater.

It’s a relentless determination to make a difference—a fire that cannot be bought or taught. It humbles me. I realize how insignificant my own achievements are compared to their faith, courage, and sacrifice.

Gifts

They remind me that God distributes gifts in different ways. He gives some people resources and others resilience. He calls some to build and others to go. Yet He invites all of us to make a difference where we are.

1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

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

No act is greater than another. Every gift counts. Every act of obedience echoes through eternity

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He Saved You So You Can Experience All These Promises

Saved for small things of great valueHe saved you so you could do all these things. Mathew said it to Mary in an episode of The Chosen. He reminded her that, regardless of her iniquities, she mattered to God and others. It reminded me of a story from my own life. The idea that my voice could echo through eternity haunts me. I’m captivated by the thought that I might say something so meaningful that at least one person would pass it on. I don’t believe I possess that much wisdom; luckily for me, Christ does.

Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”

The First Things

It made me reflect on one of the pivotal moments in my life and gave me hope. In the early nineteen-eighties, I was a gym rat. The way I handled my anxiety was by pushing myself to my physical limit so that my brain would quiet down. The pain and exhaustion would overpower my anxiety, and for a while, I would feel normal. I wasn’t a Christian then, I was an insecure, driven, hot mess. My expectations was set too high, and I was failing myself.

As God would have it, He intervened. I developed myopia while running, I would get tunnel vision that caused me to stop until it went away, then I would start running again. I mentioned this to a cardiologist I played racquetball with. He suggested I see him. I did. That visit led me through a maze of tests over nine months, culminating in a trip to the emergency room. Charles, my cardiologist, got out of bed at two in the morning to check on me. While we were talking, my heart stopped. The next thing I remember is Charles in a white mask telling me it was going to be OK.

Isaiah 65:23, “They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.”

The Next Thing

“Wherever Jesus has been proclaimed, we see lives change for the good, nations change for the better, thieves become honest, alcoholics become sober, hateful individuals become channels of love, and unjust persons embrace justice.” – Josh McDowell.

Fast forward several years and a few pacemakers later, Charles retired from medicine. The note I wrote to him was about his echo. At that time, the idea of having an echo hadn’t taken hold. But if Charles had never gotten out of bed at two in the morning, I might not be alive. I am sure I am one of the many lives he has saved. Each one has a purpose and a mission to expand God’s kingdom. Some answer the call, others ignore it. But those who do are part of Charles’s echo. People he will never see, conversions he will never know, on this side of heaven.

Psalm 103:17-18, “But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the Lord extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children—to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.”

I chose to embrace Christianity. Surprisingly, not because of my near-death experience, which should have been enough, but because of my anxiety. I have been involved in multiple ministries, sharing the gospel with many different people. Every one of these is credited to Charles. It is his echo. Without him, they may never have happened. God saved Charles so he could do these things, and He saved me so I could do them too. He also saved you so you might do the things He has for you.

Your Thing

God has forgiven our sins. He is glorified whenever we do anything in His name. We are alive in this moment because He has a plan for us. The plan He has for us involves the plans He has for others. That is our echo. We each have that potential. Doing the little things right creates the big events of the future. Matthew was right; we exist to glorify Christ, and if He woke you up today, He is not done with you. Shout into the abyss and start an echo.

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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Are You Living Up to Your Full Spiritual Calling?

Everything God created has the potential for greatnessAre you reaching your Godly potential? Have you maximized what you can do? Maslow once said, “What you can be, you must be.”

He may not have realized it, but he was echoing the heartbeat of Scripture.

In just seven words, he uncovered a truth God had already embedded into every person’s soul: You were created on purpose, for a purpose. Embracing that purpose isn’t optional—it’s a sacred duty.

Before Creation

Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.”

That phrase stops me every time: “…the days that were formed for me…”

Before I took my first breath, God already saw every step I’d take. So why, if God knows the plan, is it so hard to live it? Why do we wrestle to find our potential, stumble into calling, and question if we’re on the right path?

The Paradox

Because there’s a tension here—a paradox, which theologians refer to as antinomy: two truths that appear to contradict but are both real. God has a sovereign plan, yet we still have to choose it.

Boethius, writing 1,500 years ago, described a picture: God exists outside of time. He perceives the beginning and the end at the same time. He doesn’t guess what we’ll do—He knows. But His knowing doesn’t override our ability to choose. We are not robots; we are image-bearers with responsibility.

I can’t fully explain how it works, but I’ve seen evidence that it does. Scripture confirms it. Experience affirms it. I’ve seen purpose, and I’ve seen rebellion. I’ve watched lives redeemed and others wasted. Evil exists, but not because God planned it—because people chose it.

Evil vs. Doing Nothing

As I understand it, evil is not always active wickedness. Sometimes, it’s simply the absence of doing good. Choosing not to decide is still a choice—and often, it’s the wrong one.

Isaiah 45:7, “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.”

Older translations say “create evil,” but that Hebrew word—rah—refers to calamity, not moral evil. It points to disruption and hardship, not depravity. Let’s not confuse natural consequences with moral corruption. God may bring judgment or allow trouble, but He never authorizes sin.

That’s a different discussion. This one is about your potential. So no, we don’t get to sit back and let life “work out.” God’s plan for you is real, but it requires participation.

Snowflakes and Pebbles

“Behind every avalanche is a snowflake, behind every rockslide is a pebble.” – Max Lucado

God’s will is like an avalanche. Your decisions are the snowflakes, and obedience is the pebble.

You matter. Your choices matter—your calling matters.

Discovering and living out your God-given purpose isn’t just a noble idea; it’s the reason you’re still alive. It’s what makes you complete, not only in who you are but also in your relationship with the One who created you.

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.”

You’re called. The plan is real. But you still have to step into it.

What can you be… You must be.

So, what’s stopping you?

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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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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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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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