Tag: Purpose

Purpose or career driven searches that might use vocation, job search, calling, passion, or direction as descriptors.

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What If You Quit Before the 41st Day?

enduring until the 41st dayTroubles Are Inevitable

The Bible makes it clear: we will face troubles. Troubles are the natural result of a fallen world. Some come because of our faith—the world does not readily accept God’s Word. Others are self-inflicted, born of our own sinful actions.

No matter the source, everyone faces difficulties and setbacks. Yet Scripture assures us that our struggles are not unique—and that God will always provide a way to endure.

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

That which is bitter to endure may be sweet to remember. – Thomas Fuller

The Biblical Pattern of 40 Days

Throughout Scripture, the number 40 marks a season of testing, waiting, or trial. But what comes after is just as important. On the 41st day, God’s faithfulness is revealed.

  • It rained for 40 days—and on the 41st day, the rain stopped.
    Genesis 7:12
  • Moses was on the mountain 40 days—and on the 41st day, he received the Ten Commandments. – Exodus 34:28
  • Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days—and on the 41st day, David struck him down. – 1 Samuel 17:16
  • Jonah preached to Nineveh for 40 days—and on the 41st day, God spared the city. – Jonah 3:4
  • Jesus fasted 40 days—and on the 41st day, the devil fled. – Matthew 4:1–2
  • After His resurrection, Jesus appeared for 40 days—and on the 41st day, He ascended to Heaven. – Acts 1:3

The pattern is clear: God shows up when the trial has run its course. Day 41 always comes.

Don’t Quit Before the Breakthrough

The psalmist reminds us:

Psalm 46:1–2, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”

The rain will stop. The giant will fall. Redemption will come. But you must not give up on Day 40.

Your “40 days” may not be literal. It might last hours, weeks, or even years. But the principle remains: God is faithful, and His breakthrough is certain.

Your Personal Day 41

The question is: Do you have enough faith to believe it? Are you so deep in the storm that you can’t imagine an end—or do you trust the God who created the universe, who sent His Son for your salvation, and who promises never to leave you?

Day 41 is coming. Will you endure until it arrives?

Faith That Endures

The heroes of faith in Hebrews knew this truth.

Hebrews 11:35–39. “Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning,  sawn in two, and killed by the sword. Many went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. Others wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.”

They endured without seeing the fullness of God’s promise—yet they were commended for their faith. How much more should we endure, knowing Christ has already secured the victory?

The Final Challenge

Don’t give up on Day 40. Trust that God is already at work. The storm will pass, the giant will fall, and your Day 41 is near. Stay faithful—because God always is.

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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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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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How to Live Sustainably: Balancing Purpose, Passion, and Vocation

Vocation Sustains PurposeSustainability is about endurance. Our purpose and passion are not always the same as our livelihood; our purpose is to glorify God, and our passion is how we fulfill that purpose. Our livelihood is our vocation, which supports our purpose and passion. Paul was a tentmaker. That was his day job; it funded his ministry.

Acts 18:3, “and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade, they were tentmakers. “

Paul continued to pursue his vocation as a tentmaker throughout his life, including during the time he was an enforcer for the Sanhedrin and after his conversion. We can assume he was pretty skilled at it. However, being skilled at something and having a passion for it are two very different things.

Having a Skill

Every person, of every degree, state, sex, or condition, without exception, must have some personal and particular calling to walk in. –William Perkins, A Treatise of the Vocations

We often confuse being skilled at something with being passionate about it. After all, to excel at something, you need to practice, learn, and dedicate time to it. Why would anyone invest so much effort in something they don’t feel passionate about? There are many reasons. You might believe that your material life would improve if you pursued this particular career. Or you could feel more accepted in your social circle if you possessed a specific skill. For some children, their parents instill the idea that they should pursue a particular profession when they grow up, leading them to chase it to make their parents happy.

In America, I often see that after finishing school, we need to start earning a living. We aren’t always aware of what options are out there, so we take whatever job is available. Sometimes we do some basic filtering, like: I enjoy talking to people, or I dislike working with numbers. But mostly, we need to pay the rent. This begins a vicious cycle of more bills, more money, more obligations, and more expenses. We become skilled at something because it fulfills and sustains this essential need. Sustainability of life is a requirement for sustainability of purpose.

Having a Passion

But the vocation that Paul excelled in was not his passion. When asked who he was, he would not have said “tentmaker”.

1 Corinthians 16-17, “For when I preach the Gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.”

Paul expresses his passion for preaching the word. He felt compelled to preach. Paul had a clear understanding of his calling and love, and it wasn’t about tentmaking.

As we look toward the future to understand God’s plan for our lives, we should learn a lesson from Paul. Our vocation may be a vital part of God’s plan for us, providing sustainability in our ministry. We might not need or want to quit our “day job” as we get closer to God’s plan. It might not be our passion, but it could be part of the plan. It is a skill and a resource God has given us to use for His purpose.

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

Compensation

I need to point out that Paul believed those who share the Gospel could receive compensation. If full-time ministry is your calling, then God will find a way for you to earn a living from it. Here is what Paul says:

1 Corinthians 9:11 “If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?”

1 Corinthians 9:14, “the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the Gospel.”

Galatians 6:6 “One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.”

Sustainability matters. If what you are pursuing is truly God’s plan for you, He will supply the necessary resources. From experience, I should remind you that the present shapes the future by using the past. The season of your life might change. Don’t see that as a lack of sustainability. Instead, view it as the cost of tuition.

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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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Last Day on Earth

Take care of your life, and the Lord will take care of your deathIf 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.” –

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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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