Tag: Story

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Breaking Free: Doing That For Which You Were Created

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doing Builds on Your Past

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

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

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

You Have the Right Experience

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

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

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

It’s the Right Time

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

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

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

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

You’re Qualified

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

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

Doing Brings Joy

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

Seek Clarity

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

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

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

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Living the Life of Esther: Embracing Your God-Given Purpose

Overcoming difficultiesLiving the life of Ester: embracing your God-given purpose. Have you ever wondered if you’re where you’re meant to be? The story of Esther offers profound insight into how God orchestrates our lives to fulfill His purposes. In Esther 4:12-14, Mordecai’s words remind us of our divine placement: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Even when we don’t realize it, we are precisely where God wants us to be.

Esther 4:12-14, “When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house, you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

“The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.” – Billy Graham.

God’s Plan for You

The story of Esther is a testament to God’s intricate and long-term planning. From the exile of the Jews under Nebuchadnezzar to Esther’s adoption by Mordecai, from Queen Vashti’s fall to Esther’s rise in King Xerxes’ court, every event was part of God’s plan to save His people. Esther’s position wasn’t an accident; it was divinely orchestrated.

Mordecai’s message also serves as a challenge: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place.” This underscores two key truths: you are where God wants you, and if you don’t act, He will use someone else to accomplish His will.

You Are Where God Wants You

Don’t spend too much time questioning your placement. You’re where God wants you to be. Look around and recognize the opportunities in front of you. Your mission field begins when you wake up and lasts until you close your eyes at night. It may not be your ultimate calling, but it is your purpose for today.

“Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” – Jim Elliot

Like Esther, your journey may include trials and uncertainty. She likely didn’t view her exile or the loss of her parents as blessings. Serving a gentile King in a foreign land was far from ideal. Yet, God used these experiences to prepare her for a pivotal moment.

Your circumstances may not seem significant, but they are part of God’s plan. Trust that God is guiding you even if the task is daunting or unclear. Esther faced a life-threatening decision to save her people. Most of us won’t face such stakes, but we are called to act in faith daily—whether speaking to someone about our beliefs, volunteering, or simply being a light in someone’s life.

If You Don’t Seize the Opportunity, God Will Use Someone Else

God’s plan is unstoppable. The question is, will you be part of it? If you don’t act, someone else will step into the role meant for you.

Luke 19:26, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But even what little they have will be taken away from those who do nothing.”

Taking small steps in obedience prepares us for more incredible things. God doesn’t need us to fulfill His plan, but He invites us to join Him to share in His joy. As the lyrics from Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” express, “I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time.” That’s how God feels about you. He has pursued you from the beginning of time to position you for a life of purpose and joy.

Live Fully in Today’s Mission Field

Luke 19:26, “To those who use well what they are given, even more, will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.”

Luke reminds us that we are responsible for what God puts before us. Our daily actions matter. Whether it’s a conversation with a neighbor, a gesture of kindness to a coworker, or volunteering at a local ministry, each step of obedience brings us closer to God’s purpose for our lives.

One conversation at an IMED conference resonates deeply. A participant asked how to discern if someone attending their training was the “right” person and if they would succeed. The answer was simple: God had planned it from the beginning. Our job is to pray, work diligently, and trust the results to Him.

Today, commit to living intentionally in the mission field where God has placed you. Don’t wait for tomorrow to act. Speak to the person God places in your path. Seize the moment before it passes and someone else experiences the joy God intended for you.

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Everyone has a Story.

Listen and SilentEveryone has a story—you have one, and everyone you meet has one. One of the most essential life skills is the ability to listen to those stories. In listening to these stories, we start to connect with other people. It is not their bias, preconceived ideas, or emotional state that brings us together—it is the stories of our lives. We can not earn the right to speak until we show compassion and listen.

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” — Stephen R. Covey, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People“

Everyone’s Story

I have traveled worldwide and met people of many diverse cultures. What I have learned is that we all share the same DNA when it comes to life stories. It starts in tragedy, then crescendos to the impossible, and ends with great overcoming. The crescendo’s amplitude varies based on the environment, but the storyline remains intact.

I have found that the root cause of much of the conflict we experience in life is a lack of understanding about our commonality. We focus too much on our differences and not enough on our similarities.

Hebrews 3:4, “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”

Everyone has a personal story of overcoming challenges, and these stories are profoundly individual yet universally relatable. These stories showcase resilience, growth, and the human capacity to adapt and thrive in adversity. Listening to these stories can inspire us, foster empathy, and build connections by highlighting everyday experiences and struggles. Each story is a testament to the strength and determination inherent in the human spirit, reminding us that we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.

“Listening is an art that requires attention over talent, spirit over ego, others over self.” — Dean Jackson.

EARNING THE RIGHT TO SPEAK

Mark 12:31, “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

How do you earn the right to speak? Most of us enter a conversation assuming we have the right to speak our minds. While this is conventional wisdom, it should not be the default attitude. A better way to position yourselves is to earn this right to speak.

Be Attentive: Eliminate distractions and concentrate fully on the speaker. Maintain eye contact, nod occasionally, and adopt an open posture to show you are actively engaged in the conversation. You are not listening until it is your turn to talk; you are listening to understand their point of view.

Proverbs 18:13, “To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.”

 Avoid Interrupting: Let the speaker finish their thoughts without interjecting. Pause before replying to ensure the speaker has finished their point. Keep your emotions in check and avoid reacting impulsively. Allow the conversation to flow naturally without rushing. We almost always find something to respond to in the middle of their monologue. There is a natural inclination to stop the speaker while your thoughts are fresh. If you let them continue, you show respect, and you might learn something that changes your response.

 Show Empathy: Try to grasp the speaker’s emotions and perspectives. Acknowledge their feelings and experiences. This action shows that you understand and care. You can’t fake this. You care, or you don’t care. If you don’t care, why are you even having this conversation?

 Ask Questions: Ask open-ended questions to gain a deeper understanding. Questions should encourage the speaker to elaborate and share more details. The advice given to me is to convert every statement into a question. Instead of saying, “That won’t work.”, say, “How do you see that working?

 Avoid Judgments: Listen without forming immediate opinions or assumptions. Respect the speaker’s viewpoint, even if it differs from your own.

Benefits of Listening

Proverbs 1:5, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”

When we become so wrapped up in our own story that we can not see or choose to disregard the story of others, we miss an incredible opportunity for grace. Rather than launching into a defense of our story, stop, take a deep breath, and listen to the story of the person in front of you. Here is what you might Learn:

Value of Empathy: Listening to someone’s story is a way to walk in their shoes, to see the world through their eyes. It fosters empathy and deepens your understanding of human experiences, creating meaningful connections. People do not create positions contrary to their experiences. There is a reason they think what they think. Discover it.

Personal Growth: Every story you hear can teach you something new. It can challenge your perspectives, broaden your horizons, and contribute to personal growth. We are all a product of our environment, and so are they. Try to understand the worldly forces molding their experience.

Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

The Power of Validation: When you listen to someone’s story, you validate their experiences. This acknowledgment can be incredibly powerful and healing for the storyteller, reminding them that their voice matters. Stories remind us of our shared humanity. In a world that can often feel divided, listening to others can bring us closer together and highlight the common threads that unite us all.

Inspiration: Consider when someone’s story has inspired you, changed your perspective, or motivated you. By listening to others, you allow yourself to experience these moments regularly. We all love overcoming that moment when the impossible becomes possible. We need to hear more of these.

This Week’s Final Thought

Listening to others’ stories isn’t just about them—it’s also about you. It’s a reciprocal act where the listener and the storyteller gain something valuable. A person’s emotional state is derived from their previous experiences. We sometimes misunderstand a current situation because we do not know its story. Ask them their story when you sense something greater is going on. This moment could be the moment when another great story begins.

Proverbs 27:19, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”

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We are Wonderfully Made

We are wonderfully made. I believe two things about all people. Firstly, God intricately and flawlessly designs us for a specific purpose in life. Secondly, we all possess a unique story to share. These principles form the cornerstone of our identity in Christ and serve as the bedrock upon which God shapes our destinies. While this concept resonates with me personally, it may vary for each individual, as we all have our own perspectives.

We are Wonderfully Made

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

We are the product of God’s workmanship. It was once said, “God don’t make no junk.” We are exactly who God wants us to be, warts and all. There is no single aspect of who we are that God did not design in us. In the very complex world of God, we have the power to decide what to do with it. Non-believers create great music, art, structures, and achievements. They took what God gave them in a different direction. That does not mean their talents are not from God. We hear tremendous stories of Christians overcoming disabilities to achieve great heights. These are the stories of people going in different directions but from the same source.

“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.” – Leo Buscaglia

Even Paul had his thorn, but he said it was a calling. He saw it as demonstrating that God can overcome any obstacle. Paul wanted to demonstrate it to the people, not just talk about it.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

As I sometimes do, I pray that God will take away what I perceive as a weakness; that weakness might be physical, intellectual, or emotional. Instead, should I not pray that God will show me how to use it for His glory? We are wonderfully made as we are. It is not a potential we need to aspire to but a reality of what is.

Do not think you are inferior or need to be like others. Rejoice in who you are and embrace God’s future for you. Whatever you perceive as a weakness is a strength if you know how to use it. Let God show you the way.

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Wonderfully Made for What?

Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Wonderfully made part two. What is that purpose if we are perfectly and uniquely made to achieve God’s purpose? It is a quest, a journey, not a destination. Mother Teresa said it best.

“I am a little pencil in God’s hands. He does the thinking. He does the writing. He does everything, and sometimes it is really hard because it is a broken pencil and He has to sharpen it a little more.”

Mother Teresa, The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living.

God writes the story; we try to live it. As Mother Teresa said, we are broken, and living it can be really hard.

But you know what? Life is all about becoming the best version of ourselves, and that’s where the real rewards lie. Everything else that tries to lure us away from that path is just an illusion, trying to trick us into thinking it’s fulfilling. Like achieving huge success in the world, but if it doesn’t come with eternal salvation, it’s like chasing after a dream that fades away once reality sets in.

It’s like climbing a mountain, only to find another one waiting for us. Our achievements might not bring us the happiness and satisfaction we crave; instead, they just fuel our hunger to achieve more. We keep searching for peace, but somehow it always seems to slip through our fingers. Sadly, it’s often only when we’re nearing the end of our journey that we realize this truth. And for some, by then, it might be too late to make things right.

Proverbs 20:24. “A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?”

Do you know what’s awesome? Living the story that Christ wrote for us—it’s like everything in our lives is leading us to that epic conclusion. Every single gift we receive, whether it’s money, time, relationships, experiences, knowledge, or skills, comes from God, and they all have a purpose. They’re like arrows pointing us in a certain direction. Our mission is to figure out that direction and embrace it.

Don’t get caught up in chasing worldly fame, status, or wealth because they won’t bring true satisfaction. The real deal is finding that inner peace that goes beyond any understanding. That’s the stuff that truly satisfies the soul.

Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Heaven’s Response

Picture this: angels sitting around a campfire or maybe a cozy stove, reminiscing about the incredible stories of people’s lives as written by God. They regale with laughter when they recall the epic triumphs, and they can’t help but shed tears of joy when they talk about how people overcame their challenges. Each time a new story gets added, Heaven gets a little brighter and happier.

Furthermore, when God finally welcomes an obedient believer, He weeps. First, because He loves the stories that were lived out, and second, He knows that this person will not be part of any new ones. I don’t know about you, but I want God to wrap me up tight and weep. I long for God’s embrace to be so tight, so intimate, that it overwhelms me with His love and moves us both to tears.

John 6:27, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him, God the Father has set his seal.”
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Being a Pencil in the Hand of God

I started to think about the significance of being a pencil in the hand of God. It started with this quote from Mother Teresa.

“I am a little pencil in God’s hands. He does the thinking. He does the writing. He does everything, and sometimes it is really hard because it is a broken pencil and He has to sharpen it a little more.” ― Mother Teresa, The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living

Once we start to understand that we are the pencil in the hand of God, we start to understand our position in life. Christ is the author of all stories, the writer, producer, financial backer, and hero of every story. We are His instrument. When we start to understand we are a pencil in the hand of God, we start to appreciate all that we can be.

Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us. But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.”

Authoring Your Story

Many of us go through life thinking that we write the story of our lives. We are the hero who saves the day. On the other hand, some of us see ourselves as the victim tossed by the waves of life. In either case, we are the central character that the story encircles. We assume the role of the one in control when we are actually an instrument of the creator.

Psalm 37:23-24, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him, though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

When we get to Heaven, if we get to Heaven, what will be God’s response? Will God look at His assortment of writing utensils and say I’ve never written anything with you? Will he see you and say that He remembers a story, but it was a short story once, or twice?

Will God beam with joy, grab you up and hold you close, remembering all the incredible adventures of your life? Will He laugh and cry with every turn of a phrase embodying a triumph or tragedy from your relationship? Will He weep because there will be no more new stories to delight Himself?

Jeremiah 10:23, “Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.”

Wasting Your Time

You are wasting your life if you are not an instrument of God’s story. There is no kinder way to say it; any good deed, or honorable act, that the Spirit does not drive is a wasted effort. All who flit from activity to activity in busy, misdirected lives are not building a legacy; you are passing the time. Forty or eighty years after our passing, others will faintly remember us, no matter our skill, intelligence, or accomplishment. But, there will be no eternal implication echoing through time, no great stories to be relived.

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

Even the great statesmen, who emboss their names in history, are just that, a name. We don’t know them; we might know of them. They are a name, a face, and a place, real only within the context of a subject. It is in Heaven that relationships last forever. It is in Heaven that angles relived, rejoiced, and regaled over God’s stories

Luke 15:10, “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Refocus Your Storytelling

We spend too much time making our mark here, where time erases because another will supersede every earthly accomplishment. Our wealth will be left behind. The great stories about adventure, tragedy, victory, and love not written by God will fade away like a mist in the morning sun. Yet, those stories driven by the Holy Spirit will prevail. They ripple for generations as angles rejoice at their retelling.

“Seeking to perpetuate one’s name on earth is like writing on the sand by the seashore; to be perpetual, it must be written on eternal shores.” D.L. Moody

Don’t waste your life by doing good for the sake of doing good, thinking the story you write has merit. Anyone can do good and be kind; it’s called being human. Being Godly is to let God write your stories and guide your path. Remember, live your life so that when you meet Christ face-to-face, He will cry. He will cry joyfully at your meeting and sorrowfully that He will not write any new stories with you.

“The mere fact itself that God’s will is irresistible and irreversible fills me with fear, but once I realize that God wills only that which is good, my heart is made to rejoice.” – A. W. Pink

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Great Stories

Great Stories

It was once said that all great stories begin in tragedy. I understand that. Great stories need to triumph over adversity. Without adversity, the story losses its punch. We must feel the visceral response to injustice before the exhilarating happiness of victory. The more visceral the injustice, the more satisfying the victory.  

A Great Story

Mohamed El Bachiri, husband of Loubna, 34, a gym teacher at a school in Schaerbeek, father to three small boys under 10. He described his wife as beautiful, always smiling, and an extraordinary mother and wife. In His Book “Een jihad Van Liefde” he made this statement after his wife was murdered during a terrorist attack in Brussels in 2016;

“I need to express a kind of anger – which is legitimate. My anger expresses itself in the struggle of love. Sharing love. That’s my way of violently responding to the terrorist.”

There are so many words in this statement that grab me. He states a “kind of anger that is legitimate” and ties it to love. He goes on to talk about violent love. It builds a vision in my head of a man so driven by love that he holds his enemy in a bear hug and won’t let go until the other relents. That he will fight for the right to love the unlovable. He will sacrifice for those who do not deserve it because it is the only way to win.

This is a story worth remembering.

The Greatest Story

Christmas is upon us. It is not one of the greatest stories, but it is the greatest story ever. A man, God in human form, was born that responded in violent love for us. He came into this world not just to die for us but to suffer for us. He took on the adversity of all our sins over the millenniums. His life of love and sacrifice ended on a cross. He holds us in a bear hug to this day.

I don’t know how many of us have a visceral reaction to the actions of our lives. How much do we hate the injustice of who we were (or still are)? How tall is that tsunami of sin that hangs over our existence? Mine brings me to tears. The harm I have done to others is almost inexhaustible.

I was reading and rereading Romans chapter 7, particularly verses 14 through 23. Paul describes me to a T.

Romans 7:15, I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”

In his commentary on this chapter, J.D. Greear talks about turning from a battle we cannot win, overcoming sin, to a battle we cannot lose, Christ’s salvation. This is a struggle for me. How do I turn from my past and embrace my future? This is especially difficult when my present sometimes looks like my past. Paul answers that very question later on in Romans.

Our Story Continues

Romans 8:5-6, “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So, letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”

This Christmas, think about things that please the spirit. Cast away thoughts of our sinful nature and celebrate the most violent love man has ever known. Reread many of the great stories in the Bible. Celebrate the God who is.

“Many of us have merely added Christ to our lives as another interest in an already busy and otherwise overcrowded schedule. This sort of thinking has watered down the meaning of a personal relationship with Christ. The problem is that we often seek the God we want, but do not know the God who is.” – Patrick Morley, Walking with Christ in the Details of Life: 75 Devotional Readings.

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