Happiness Archives - Tomme Stevenson

September 1, 2025August 27, 2025

Are You Living Up to Your Full Spiritual Calling?

Everything God created has the potential for greatness Are 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?

August 19, 2025August 27, 2025

“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.

August 5, 2025July 13, 2025

Clarity Map and the Unreasonable Man

God's Plan A 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:

What do you already know? “What have you learned from life, work, school, bible study, or struggle?”
What do you care about deeply? “What or who keeps you up at night?”
What must change? “If you could fix one thing, what would it be?”
What does that change look like? “What would life around you look like if that thing were different?”
What’s one way you could help move toward that future? “What person could you help today, even in a small way?”
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.”

July 29, 2025July 28, 2025

Last Day on Earth

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

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

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

The Accident

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

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

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

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

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

The Conversation

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

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

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

The Realization

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

But what if later never comes?

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

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

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

July 8, 2025June 10, 2025

Happy Birthday to Me

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

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

Twenty-One

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seventy-fifth Birthday

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

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

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

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

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

A Glimpse Ahead

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

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

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

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

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

June 17, 2025June 7, 2025

The Answer I Didn’t Expect

Answered Prayer The 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.”

May 20, 2025May 19, 2025

I want to be an Avenging Angel.

Living Well is the best Revenge I do; I want to be an avenging angel, raining down brimstone and fire on all that is evil in the world; I want God to empower me to wreak havoc on all that is wrong. I want to be invincible and omni-powerful; I want to walk into the private enclaves of the rich and powerful and demand retribution. How cathartic would that be? How validating and hopeful would the world seem to me? Me, reigning over the unjust and the unworthy. But who would want to rain down brimstone on me?

“There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we are born, and the day we discover why.” – William Barclay

Romans 12:19, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”

God’s Intent

But that is not God’s intent. One of the hardest lessons for me to learn is that salvation, not retribution, makes the world livable. When people come to understand God’s love, they become the type of people we want in our world. It is not the elimination of evil but the conversion of evil that makes all that Christ has taught us work.

Proverbs 20:22, “Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”

That’s difficult for me. I want revenge; I want evil to suffer. Like Jonah, I don’t want the people of Nineveh’s salvation but their elimination. I want them punished because they have caused so much harm to others. It is hard for me to comprehend God’s compassion. Why does He want them in His kingdom after what they have done?

Proverbs 24:29, “Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”

Wouldn’t that be great to travel the world visiting the despicable, the vicious, the depraved, the unscrupulous, the hateful, and the godless people to present them with their eternal separation from Christ? To stand back and watch when they realize their actions culminated in destruction.

God’s True Intent

“The only way to overcome our enemy is by loving him.”. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship

That is not Godly. God will allow the Godless to reap their rewards, but only after giving them every opportunity to repent. My prayer should not be for retribution but salvation. I should dedicate my life to attracting those who do not know God to God. Boy, that is a big ask.

1 Peter 3:9, “not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”

Like Jonah, I need to accept that what Christ did for me is precisely what He will do for others. I should want Him to extend the grace He gave me to others. It is not us against the world. It is the world against God, and those who choose God will prevail.

Matthew 5:38-45, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, also turn the other to him. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him also have your coat.”

It would be nice to be God’s avenging Angel, to vanquish evil. But that is in Revelations, not today. That is God’s domain. We must save those who do not see the light, not condemn them. That’s the hard part. God wants us to love, not hate.

“To return evil for good is devilish; to return good for good is human; to return good for evil is divine.” – John Stott in The Message of the Sermon on the Mount

1 Thessalonians 5:15, “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

May 6, 2025March 23, 2025

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

When I initially thought of peacemaking, I thought of conflict resolution. It seemed to involve people who go out of their way to help others restore harmony in their relationships. I thought of Gandhi, for example. But the more I study the Beatitudes, the more I am starting to understand that these are not each a distinct type of person or a distinct stage of life but a continuum of how we are expected to live. We should display the characteristics each Beatitude highlights daily and in everything we undertake.

Because of our past transgressions, we should exhibit a posture of poverty in Spirit. Mourning for the world’s condition and showing humility in our creation should be part of who we are—being dissatisfied with the world’s level of compassion and mercy, especially for the underserved. All of this should be constantly in our prayers. Peacemaking is not different.

“As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself… Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.” –Nelson Mandela.

Peacemaking is Active, Not Passive

Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Peacemaking is the act of showing compassion and kindness in all that we do. It is curbing our speech, holding back criticism, and extending praise. Fundamentally, it is allowing God to speak through us. A Christian has the confidence and trust in Christ to let slights go unnoticed. There are times when non-believers will speak against our beliefs out of ignorance. Understanding that challenging and creating hard feelings is not the way to conversion.

Jesus is referring to those who intentionally work to resolve disputes, heal relationships, and create an environment of peace. This often requires humility, wisdom, and self-sacrifice. It takes a person who exhibits all of the characteristics embodied in the Beatitudes.

A Reflection of God’s Nature

2 Corinthians 5:18, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Peacemakers are “called children of God” because they reflect God’s character. Throughout Scripture, God is the reconciler—restoring humanity to Himself through Christ. When we pursue peace, we align ourselves with His divine mission. In biblical terms, peace (Hebrew: shalom) means wholeness, completeness, and right relationships—with God, others, and even within oneself. Peacemakers don’t just stop fights; they work to establish justice, truth, and restoration. They live in a way that makes conflict highly improbable.

Peacemaking Can Be Costly:

“If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.” – Thomas Watson.

True peace often comes at a price. Jesus Himself was the ultimate Peacemaker, but His work of reconciliation led to suffering and sacrifice on the cross. Christians who strive for peace may face resistance, misunderstandings, or personal loss.

Psalm 72:7, “In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!”

April 8, 2025March 23, 2025

Blessed Are the Meek

Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

At first glance, this statement feels upside-down. How can being meek be a blessing? Doesn’t the world teach us to be strong, confident, and self-sufficient? Yet, Jesus points to something more profound that takes time to understand, let alone live out. It’s a transformative power that can inspire hope and a new perspective.

Proverbs 16:19: “It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”

To Be Meek

To be meek is to recognize our insufficiency. It’s the awareness that, no matter how much we achieve, how smart we become, or how strong we appear, we are not enough on our own. It’s the humility to admit we need something greater than ourselves.

True humility isn’t about a single act or a carefully crafted appearance; it unfolds over time, woven into how a person consistently lives, interacts, and treats others. It’s not something you “put on” for effect; it’s something you become.

Psalm 25:9. “He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way.”

A humble person doesn’t need to prove superiority over others but remains open to learning, growth, and collaboration. They can accept criticism without being defensive and acknowledge their mistakes without losing confidence. Humility also involves treating others with respect, regardless of status or ability, and not letting ego drive decisions.

We had long known the Lord without realizing that meekness and lowliness of heart should be the distinguishing feature of the disciple. – Murray, Andrew. Humility: The Beauty of Holiness.

Humility

Humility isn’t about self-pity or weakness. It’s about clarity. Pride builds walls, but humility opens doors. When we let go of the illusion that we have it all figured out, we create space—for growth, wisdom, for God to work.

But the real reward is personal—seeing life clearly, having deeper relationships, and not being ruled by pride or insecurity. It’s a kind of freedom that liberates and empowers us.

James 4:6, “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The world often mistakes humility for passivity, but genuine humility is anything but weak. It takes strength to admit we don’t have all the answers. It takes courage to live with open hands instead of clenched fists. And paradoxically, in this surrender, we find true freedom—freedom from the exhausting need to prove, control, or compete.

People won’t immediately recognize humility because it’s not loud or attention-seeking. But over time, it leaves an undeniable mark. How someone listens, handles success and failure, and treats people who can do nothing for them, these things accumulate and reveal a person’s character.

Galatians 5:23, “Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

The Promise to the Meek

Jesus’s promise is just as radical as the statement: They will inherit the earth. When we stop chasing significance and start seeing life through the lens of dependence on God, we begin to experience the kingdom here and now.

Maybe being meek isn’t a disadvantage. Maybe it’s the key to peace.

What do you think? How do you see this playing out in your own life?

Colossians 3:12, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

March 4, 2025February 13, 2025

One Person Can Make a Difference.

One Person can make a difference. I know many of us don’t believe it can be us. We believe we have an impact on our families and friends, but that is not a real difference in the world. It seems like one more drop of water in the ocean, one more grain of sand on the beach.

Matthew 17:20, “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

The Star Thrower

The 1969 essay by Loren Eiseley entitled “The Star Thrower” described a man who didn’t look at the totality of his effort but the importance of making an effort. A concluding statement says, “ Only then have I allowed myself to think. He is not alone any longer. After us, there will be others.” What gives me hope is not that I would change the world, but maybe, through my actions, there may be others who can and will.

There are people like Micheal J. Fox who have raised billions for Parkinson’s research. Jane Kristen Marczewski (Nightbirde) used her short-lived fame from AGT to proclaim that we all have a loving God, even in bad times. These are contemporaries who used their circumstances to change the world. They exposed people to needs and provided hope. But most of us don’t have that stage. Our sphere of influence is small; our accomplishments are mundane.

After Us Will Be Others

Eiseley’s “After Us, There Will Be Others” should be our rallying cry. Helping one person a day, week, or month might catalyze world change. Even in our suffering, we can provide hope. There is not even one of us that will not leave a legacy. The question is, what will that legacy be? God has given us everything to stimulate the “Butterfly Effect” for eternity. We can set in motion the dominoes that create change for generations to come. It is our actions that save a life for eternity. It is not the totality of our effort but the importance of making an effort. We don’t know what God has in store.

1 Corinthians 2:9, “However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

If you spend the rest of your life impacting just one Person for Christ, you may save millions. That Person may save two, and those two each save three. This ripple effect continues until Christ returns, potentially saving millions. One Person can make a difference.

We Each Have a Story

We each have a story. Our lives ebb and flow with the effects of a fallen world. Unfortunately for the teller but exuberant to the listener, great stories start with great tragedy. The definition of a great tragedy is different for different people. As North Americans, we do not see a tragedy like South Americans might. Many people live everyday lives that I find hard to comprehend.

Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

But all these stories must be lived and told. The overcoming must be passed down from generation to generation so that others might have hope. The overcoming, Christ’s intimate intersection with our lives, must be kept alive. When we see the tragedy as tragedy, we lose sight of God’s great plan for our lives. We come alive when we see tragedy as the genesis of a great story of salvation and redemption.

James 3:4, “Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.”

The tragedy is a tragedy, deep, dark, and depressing. But the outcome, the final scene, does not have to be. It can end as one of the greatest stories ever told, and that story can change the world.

One Person Can Make a Difference

One Person can make a difference in the life of another. God planned it that way. Have hope. Seek compassion, love, and grace from the creator of the universe, and he will give you a mighty story that will comfort listeners long after your passing.

Matthew 25:21, “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”