Tag: Peace

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Christmas for the Lonely

Christmas 2025Christmas for the lonely is the worst of all holidays. It is the peak of all the missed chances and forgotten moments that haunt their existence. It seems to amplify their loneliness.

A Lifeline for the Hurting

I have a heartfelt plea this festive season: reach out to those who are hurting and offer them a lifeline. Not by trying to cheer them up or giving quick fixes, but simply by loving them. Quiet desperation is one of the heaviest burdens a soul can carry. We cannot remove that burden entirely—only God can heal the deepest wounds. But He often chooses to work through us.

A Day of Celebration and Reflection

December 25th is not the exact date of Jesus’ birth; it’s the day we commemorate His birth. Those are two separate things, and this might help our non-believing friends understand the meaning behind the day. Still, whether someone believes in Christ or not, one thing everyone does on the 25th is reflect. Almost all of us take a moment, if only briefly, to look back on our lives.

Gratitude in the Present Moment

For many of us, the fortunate among us, myself included, this reflection brings gratitude. We see how God has carried us, blessed us, surrounded us with relationships that enrich our days, and given us experiences we never deserved but deeply cherish. We remember seasons of joy, perhaps even better seasons than the one we’re living in now, but our feet remain firmly planted in the present. This moment is ours, a gift from God. And in this moment, we choose hope.

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

When Christmas Feels Heavy

But not everyone walking beside us sees this season the same way. Some face broken relationships. Others feel like opportunities have slipped away. Some look forward and only see darkness. Their minds drift to what might have been but never will be. Their hearts hold memories that darken the soul and weigh down the spirit. Life doesn’t seem like a glass half-empty—it feels like the glass was never big enough to hold what they lost.

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

Understanding the Depth of Despair

I feel deep compassion for them because I have been in their position. I have experienced the cold, lonely pain of despair. In that moment, even minor wounds seem deadly. And just when life feels too hard to bear, something darker tries to pull you further down.

For many people, Christmas isn’t a time for reflection; it’s a day to try to forget. The happiness of others only deepens their pain. The “light at the end of the tunnel” feels more like a train coming. Salvation seems like a myth. Comfort and joy feel like fairy tales.

I have prayed not to wake, begging for tomorrow not to come. I wanted the pain to stop completely. But the peace we seek cannot be found outside of Christ. And the outcome of a life without Him is not something to desire, no matter how broken the present moment feels.

Called to Walk with the Least of These

Matthew 25:45, “‘Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”

This Christmas, choose to invest in someone else’s journey. Not to fix their life or offer solutions, but to provide companionship and hope. Let them know they are not walking alone. Be the person God delights in working through—the one who brings light into someone else’s dark corner.

Healing Broken Connections

And one more thing: each of us has broken connections, people who hurt us, or people we have hurt. Consider offering a kind word, a small gesture. It might change more than one life. It might just change yours.

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.”

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Living a Life of Thanksgiving

ThankslivingA Season of Gratitude

At Thanksgiving, we take time to thank God for all He has done in our lives—for family and friends, for food and shelter, and for the many blessings that fill our days. We express gratitude for His provisions, and then our minds often shift to Christmas and the celebration of His most incredible gift.

1 Corinthians 1:30, “Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate, and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ.”

Thanksgiving is special because even the secular world pauses to give thanks for its blessings. If those who do not believe can express gratitude, how much more should we, who know the Giver of every good gift, overflow with thankfulness? Can you name even one good thing in your life that God did not provide?

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” — John F. Kennedy.

Giving Thanks Beyond the Table

Take a moment—just a single moment—to revel in the miracle of your life. Before you eat, offer a prayer that comes from the depths of your soul and sincerely thanks the God who created you, wrote your story, and guided every step of your journey.

Sadly, after that moment of gratitude, most of us go back to our routines—overeating, socializing, and then falling back into the daily grind. But imagine if we could live in that moment of thankfulness every day. What if gratitude became the rhythm of our lives instead of an annual event?

God crafted us uniquely and perfectly for the journey ahead. Even though we see flaws, detours, and wrong turns, He sees the perfection of His plan unfolding. We often treat blessings as isolated events, but God views them as part of a continuous story—His ongoing work in our lives. He doesn’t simply check off answered prayers; He blesses us continually, if only we would notice. God lives in the moments.

James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Gratitude in the Hard Places

But what if your circumstances are challenging—if pain, conflict, or loss define your days? Remember this truth: If you’re still breathing, God isn’t done with you yet. As long as you have breath, you have purpose.

I’ve experienced dark seasons when the only thing that kept me going was knowing that God still had a purpose for me that day. I didn’t always understand what or why—but I knew it was bigger than my pain. I was committed not to meet Him in an incomplete state.

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

The way to overcome your struggles is to immerse yourself in God’s overwhelming love. He draws close to those who call on Him in their distress. Every moment—yes, even the painful ones—is a gift and an opportunity to express gratitude to Him.

Isaiah 66:1-2, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Haven’t I made all these things? …These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.’”

Living With Kingdom Purpose

We live in a broken world that often produces bitter fruit. Some seem to endure more suffering than others. I don’t always understand it—not in my own life or in others’. But I know this: when I take my eyes off the eternal prize, the weight of the struggle increases. A life without purpose intensifies pain; a life with purpose can redeem it.

Knowing that each trial has a purpose in the kingdom gives me the strength to keep going. Moment by moment, I thank God that I am still standing—and that He’s not finished with me yet. That gives me meaning. And with meaning comes hope.

So, commit yourself to this truth: don’t face God unready. Live grateful. Live polished. Live prepared.

Revelation 7:12, “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

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Are You in a Storm?

Great Storms Great BeautyIs today, this week, or this year overwhelming? Do you feel trapped, searching for a way out? We all face storms. Some are caused by our choices, while others are thrust upon us. The winds rage, the rains wash away what we cherish, and darkness presses in. Worst of all, it seems like the storm will never end. That is Satan’s lie. He wants us to believe there’s no way forward.

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

Your Life Is Priceless

Your life has priceless value. You bear the image of God Himself (Genesis 1:27). He designed you with gifts, passions, and potential that no storm can erase. The world and its voices try to diminish you, to reduce you to comparisons, trends, or failures. But God created you for eternity.

Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”

I understand what it feels like to live in despair, weighed down by unmet expectations. The world claims that this moment of pain defines us — but it doesn’t. God has placed within each of us a unique design. Even our weaknesses are part of His plan, not to erase but to reshape for His glory.

When storms make you feel abandoned, remember: you are set apart, loved, and created for good works. God’s light in you is greater than the storm.

Romans 12:6, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”

Your Calling

Your calling isn’t to become someone else’s definition of greatness, but to discover the greatness already inside you. Stop paying attention to the storm and start listening to the One who created you.

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

The way forward isn’t about self-promotion; it’s about serving others. When we invest in others, God’s love flows through us. Helping someone else helps us discover who He created us to be. That’s when storms lose their strength.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. And storms don’t last forever. Change the world, be the storm.

“Be the storm that’s relentless, not the one that passes by and is forgotten.” – Maya Angelou

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Cain and Abel: Effort vs. Obedience

Cain’s Offering: Effort and Achievement

Cain offered God the fruits of his effort. He cleared the land of rocks and thorns, plowed the soil, planted, watered, fertilized, and protected his crops. His offering was the result of sweat, discipline, and hard work.

Abel’s Offering: Trust and Obedience

Abel, meanwhile, brought the firstborn of his flock. He couldn’t control how the sheep grew or multiplied. He simply cared for them, led them to pasture, and trusted God with the rest. His offering wasn’t about effort—it was about obedience.

Hosea 6:6, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

The Contrast Between Effort and Obedience

That’s the difference: Cain gave what he produced. Abel gave what God provided.

We often adopt Cain’s mindset. We take pride in what we do “for God”—such as attending church, participating in small groups, going on mission trips, being generous, and involved in ministry. We count conversions, hours served, and dollars given. We create spiritual scorecards and secretly hope God is impressed.

But what He really desires is obedience.

“If you know that God loves you, you should never question a directive from Him. It will always be right and best. When He gives you a directive, you are not just to observe it, discuss it, or debate it. You are to obey it.” – Henry Blackaby

Cain’s Reaction and God’s Judgment

When God rejected Cain’s offering, Cain became bitter. He felt ignored, even though he had worked harder than his brother. He wanted acknowledgment, but instead he heard these words:

Genesis 4:11 – 12, “Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground… When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”

The skills Cain relied on became his source of frustration. The same thing happens to us. When we seek recognition through our efforts, our work can feel empty. Success might come, but our souls remain unsatisfied.

The Peace of Abel’s Path

Matthew 12:7, “And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.”

Abel’s path appears different. Obedience brings clarity and peace. Those who walk in it know their identity and purpose. They don’t judge worth by results but by faithfulness. They understand that it is God—not them—who produces fruit and transforms lives.

God Works in the Small Moments

1 John 2:3-4, “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

I believe God encounters us in the moments, not the milestones. He isn’t waiting to see if we cross the finish line first or win the trophy. He’s focused on the next step we take. Do we trust Him enough to obey, even when it feels small or unseen?

What looks like a “participation trophy” to us can mean everything to Him. It demonstrates consistency, trust, and obedience—faith lived out in everyday life.

Living It Out Today

So don’t worry about outworking everyone else. Focus on out-trusting them. Master the small acts of obedience God places before you. Leave the results in His hands.

Isaiah 1:19, “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”

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

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

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

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

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

What We Present versus What We Say

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

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

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

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

Christian Humility

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

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

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

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

Christian Pride

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

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

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

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

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

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Silence is Rarely Silent

Sound of SilenceThe Sound of Silence

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

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

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

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

The Sound of Apathy

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

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

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

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

The Sound of God’s Whisper

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

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

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

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

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Happy Birthday to Me

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

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

Twenty-One

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seventy-fifth Birthday

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

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

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

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

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

A Glimpse Ahead

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

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

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

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

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

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Surviving Life in a Broken World

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

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

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

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

Understanding God’s View

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

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

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

God’s Control

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

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

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

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

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

Surviving

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

Remember, in the end, He wins.

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

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You Were Chosen to Bear Fruit That Lasts

You were chosen to bear fruit that lasts. Your existence is not temporal; it is eternal.  Your actions are not of someone who passes through, but of someone who is sent.

John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit—and that your fruit should remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” — John Piper, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist.

Let me tell you a story.

It was late fall. I remember because it was already dark as I stepped off the MARTA train and started walking toward my destination. The air had that unmistakable chill, not the clean, biting cold of the north, but the damp Georgia kind that creeps under your coat and settles in your bones.

I was late to meet a friend I hadn’t seen in a while. My head was down, shoulders hunched against the wind, when I caught the faint shape of a man standing across the courtyard. Just a shadow. But then, a voice inside me—quiet, yet impossible to ignore—said, “Stop.”

So I stopped.

The man wore a trench coat, but it looked more for appearance than warmth. He stood there, glancing left and right like he didn’t know what to do next. I thought, I’m late, and began to move on.

I Couldn’t Walk Away

Then came another whisper: “To the least of these…”

Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

It wasn’t a command. Not even a plea. Just a gentle reminder—truth spoken in stillness. That’s how God often speaks. He doesn’t shout. He doesn’t push. He invites.

For the first time, I honestly looked at the man. His face told the story his words never would. Pain, loss, and disappointment. His Eyes were far older than his age. I knew that if I engaged, I would step into his burden. And I also knew, once I saw him—really saw him—I couldn’t walk away.

So I asked quietly, “Can I help you?”

That’s all it took. A small gesture, but to him, it meant everything. I gave him what I had, and it was enough. He straightened his back, shook my hand, and nodded a quiet thanks. But his eyes—those eyes—spoke volumes: relief, surrender, maybe even hope.

As I turned to leave, something pulled at me again. I looked back and said, “You know, God loves you. That’s why I’m here right now.”

And he smiled. “Yes, sir, I truly know that.”

“Small acts, when done with great love, can change the world.” – Inspired by Mother Teresa,

You Were Chosen for Moments Like These

God is not only the Author of great missions and lifelong callings—what we sometimes call BHAGs (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals)—but also the quiet, divine interruptions. The ones that whisper instead of roar. The ones that change you, if you let them.

Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

Sometimes he plants a seed, tends it over time, and gently shapes us for something big. But other times, He says, “Look. Right there. That one.” And when we look, it takes our breath away.

Those moments are memorial stones. I keep them in my heart like reminders—evidence that God invited me into His plan, not because He needed me, but because He loves me.

He chose me. He chooses you. To bear fruit—lasting fruit.

Answer the call. Be the one who stops, who listens, who speaks life into the hurting. I can’t fully explain how it will change you, only that it will. Forever.

Be that Person.

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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