Tag: testimony

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Buried but Not Forgotten

Buried PainBuried but not forgotten, I was asked today to join a panel to discuss one of the most painful events of my life. The purpose is noble: to help others understand pain, survival, and the hidden struggles people carry. We go through these stages to refine ourselves and become more human in our interactions with others.

We live in a broken world where pain is an inevitable part of our lives. Because we only know our own experiences, it is hard to imagine others going through the same thing. Our pain is unique to us.

John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Buried

What you have gone through prepares you to help others. It makes you relatable. It also gives you the experience to know that you can survive and thrive in a world that is doing its best to crush you. That is an important message to pass on.

But pain is pain. Much of it I have buried deep in the ground. I have even removed the headstone so I do not go back to revisit it. It is part of me. It influences decisions in subtle, subconscious ways. I don’t have to make friends with it. I need to understand it and find a way forward without letting it dictate my life. And I have.

Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Now I have been asked to resurrect it. I have been asked to go deep into the woods and find the indentation in the ground marking its resting place. I must search for it. Remember where and why I buried it. Then I have to revive it, bring it back to life in front of others.

Resurrected

I don’t know how. I’ve gone over it and over it in my mind. How do I talk about something so personal without being condescending or glib? How do I keep from masking the hurt and shame while staying honest? No one, not even my closest and dearest friend, knows the whole story. Mostly to protect the other party, partly to protect myself.

I’m afraid I have no advice today except this. That day, the one that changed my life forever, was not a hard decision. It came naturally.

God said, “Do this,” and I did.

I think it saved a life.

But it cost me everything.

To the outside world, it was a failure on a grand scale. But to me, there was no plan “B”. I have never regretted it, and given the chance, I would do it again.

Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Living

But there is a scar that runs deep. Every once in a while, I gently rub my hand over it to remind myself I am still alive. I have to do that because I am human, and until that changes, I will feel pain from time to time.

I have a God who has never abandoned me, even in the moments when I could not understand the cost. In my darkest hour, He is there. There is nothing I will ever go through that is a surprise to Him. And, if I allow, He will use it for my good.

2 Corinthians 12:9, “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.”

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What Was There Before?

BeforeThe basic question one asks when seeking God is: what was there before? As humans with limited knowledge and finite experience, we struggle to grasp something that has no beginning or end. Our minds are wired for sequence—before and after, cause and effect, start and finish. Everything we have ever known fits within that framework.

So when we turn our attention to the universe, we instinctively ask:

What was there before it began?

No matter how we theorize about its origin, we feel there had to be something prior—something that set things in motion. That instinct is deeply human. It reflects how we understand everything else in life. Every event has a cause. Every effect has a source. Nothing appears without explanation.

Or so it seems.

Psalm 33:6, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.”

Following the Chain

Science has taken us remarkably far in answering the “how” of existence.

We can trace the universe backward through expanding galaxies to an early, dense state described by the Big Bang theory. We can move deeper still, beyond matter into energy, and further into the quantum fields that govern particle behavior. At that level, what appears to be space is anything but empty. It fluctuates. It moves. It produces temporary bursts of energy, governed in part by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

But this only pushes the question back.

If particles come from fields, where do the fields come from?
If fluctuations arise from laws, where do the laws come from?

We move from one explanation to the next, but the chain never completes. It simply ends—somewhere.

Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Where Explanation Stops

At some point, every explanation reaches a boundary.

Philosophers such as Aristotle recognized this long before modern science. If every cause requires a prior cause, you are left with two options: either the chain goes back infinitely, or there is something that does not require a cause.

Later thinkers, such as Thomas Aquinas, argued that an infinite regress does not truly explain anything. Instead, there must be something that is—something that does not come from anything else and exists by necessity rather than by chance.

Modern thinkers have challenged that idea. Bertrand Russell famously dismissed the need for a deeper explanation, saying the universe is “there, and that’s all.”

Three different conclusions. Three different stopping points. None of them is fully satisfying.

John 1:3, “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

The Problem with “Before”

Part of the difficulty stems from the question itself.

When we ask what came “before” the universe, we assume time existed before the universe. But according to modern physics, time is not outside the universe—it is part of it. It began with the universe.

2 Peter 3:8, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

If that is true, asking what came before the universe may be like asking what lies north of the North Pole. The question assumes a framework that no longer holds.

And yet, even if we remove time from the equation, the deeper question remains:

Why is there something rather than nothing?

Colossians 1:16, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”

Four Ways to End the Question

When we strip everything down, there are only a few ways to answer that question.

      1. Something has always existed.
        Reality, in some form, is eternal. There is no beginning to explain.
      2. Something exists necessarily.
        There is a foundational reality that must exist. Everything else depends on it.
      3. Reality explains itself.
        The universe is a closed system with no need for an external cause.
      4. There is no explanation.
        Existence is a brute fact. It simply is.

These are not scientific conclusions. They are philosophical endpoints. Every line of reasoning eventually lands in one of them.

What We Are Really Asking

When we ask what came before the universe, we are not really asking about time. We are asking about dependence.

      • What does everything else depend on?
      • What is the foundation beneath the foundation?
      • What is the one thing that does not require an explanation?

We can move backward from matter to energy, from energy to fields, and from fields to laws—but eventually we encounter something that does not point to anything else.

At that point, explanation gives way to acceptance.

Hebrews 11:3, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”

The Quiet Conclusion

There is a point in this line of thinking where progress stops—not because the question is flawed, but because we have reached the limits of what explanation can do.

Something must exist that does not come from anything else.

It just is.

1 Corinthians 8:6, “Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”

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Overworked and Underpaid

Work Hard“We are overworked and underpaid.” Every generation says it. My grandfather said it, my father said it, I’ve said it, and now my daughter says it too.

The language changes, the economy shifts, and jobs look different—but the feeling remains the same. Life often feels like a constant effort just to keep up. There is always more to do, more expected, and rarely enough reward to match the effort.

So, what do we do with that feeling?

You Are Exactly Where God Wants You

This is the part most people resist. If we truly believe in God’s sovereignty, we must also believe this: You are where God wants you and when God wants you there.

God does not waste time, nor does He waste effort, and He certainly does not misplace people.

That means even in seasons when you feel overlooked, underpaid, or taken advantage of—God is not absent. He is intentional.

That doesn’t mean every employer is fair. Scripture doesn’t pretend they are. In fact, Jesus directly addresses this tension in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16), where workers receive what appears to be unequal pay. The lesson isn’t about fairness—it’s about trust in the Master. Each worker agreed to the compensation when the job was offered. It seemed fair then and met a need. But when compared with others, it later seemed unfair. The lesson is to accept your decisions and not complain when others make a better one.

To complain about being in the middle of God’s plan is, at its core, to question the plan itself.

That’s a hard truth—but it’s also a freeing one.

Work Is Worship

We often think of worship as something we do in a church setting. But Scripture paints a much broader picture. Work is worship.

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

If that is true, then your job is no longer just a job. Your boss is no longer your ultimate authority, and effort is no longer tied to your paycheck.

You are working for God. That changes everything.

1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

And Proverbs reinforces it:

Proverbs 14:23, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

The opportunity to work—to build, to contribute, to grow—is not a burden. It is a gift. The question is not whether the work is fair. It is whether you are faithful in it.

Do the Work Without Complaining

This is where it becomes difficult.

Philippians 2:14–15, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing… so that you may become blameless and pure.”

Why?

How you work is a testimony. Anyone can work hard when they feel valued. Few people can work faithfully when they feel overlooked. That difference is what sets you apart—not just professionally, but spiritually.

You are not just an employee; you are an ambassador.

The Question Is Not “Why?” but “What?”

When life feels unfair, our instinct is to ask: “Why is this happening to me?” But Scripture quietly redirects that question. A better question is: “What am I meant to learn here?”

If God has placed you in this moment, then there is something in it for you—something to refine you, strengthen you, or prepare you.

Colossians 4:5, “Be wise in the way you act… make the most of every opportunity.”

And in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30), the servants are not judged by what they were given—but by what they did with it. Your current situation may not be ideal. But it is still an opportunity.

A Hard but Necessary Question

There is also a moment for honest reflection. How did you get here? Did you follow God’s direction—or your own desire? Or did you step into this role out of calling—or convenience?

If the situation is the result of your own choices, then the response is not frustration—it is correction.

Proverbs 12:11, “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”

God does not waste time—but we sometimes do. The good news is this: even when we make missteps, God can still use the situation to shape us.

The Perspective That Changes Everything

Being overworked and underpaid may not be a punishment. It may be preparation. Preparation for discipline, responsibility, and something greater that requires more than you currently have.

If you cannot be faithful in a difficult season, you will not be ready for a better one. So instead of asking: “Why is this happening to me?”

Ask: “God, what are You teaching me here—and how do I use it?”

Because the same situation that frustrates one person can build another.

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Paul, A Role Model for Living

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

Paul’s Past

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

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

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

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

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

Paul’s Sin Nature

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

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

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

Paul’s Legacy

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

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

Now Us

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

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

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

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

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The Danger of a Single Story: Seeing People as God Views Them

forgiveness and understandingThe Trap of a Single Story

Have you ever been judged for just one mistake? A single weak moment that tainted an entire relationship. We’ve all been caught in someone else’s narrow story of us. We live in a world where it’s easy to judge quickly. One incident, word, or first impression can define our whole story. Scripture reminds us that people are more than the single stories we see.

1 Samuel 16:7, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Look at the lives of these four prominent characters that ultimately crafted the narrative of the Bible:

Rahab the Prostitute (Joshua 2; Matthew 1:5)

To Jericho, she was considered a prostitute. She was not only a woman in a male-dominated society, but her profession placed her on the fringes of civilized behavior. Yet, in God’s eyes, she was a woman of faith who sheltered spies and was a part of the Messiah’s family tree. A single story of sin was not her final story.

Like Rahab, Moses’ story demonstrates that one failure doesn’t invalidate God’s calling.

Moses the Murderer (Exodus 2; Acts 7)

Moses fled into the wilderness after killing an Egyptian. He lived a shepherd’s life, tending his father-in-law’s sheep. God rewrote his story: deliverer, prophet, lawgiver. The first impression did not define his purpose.

The story of Peter reminds us that even repeated mistakes can be redeemed.

Peter the Denier (Luke 22; John 21)

Peter was a mess. After three years of learning from Jesus, he still did not understand. Most remember him for denying Jesus three times. However, Jesus forgave him: “Feed my sheep.” He became the rock of the early church.

Paul began as an enforcer of the anti-Christ movement, but he was still part of God’s plan to redeem humanity.

Paul the Persecutor (Acts 9)

This is probably the most incredible story of all. Despite Paul’s career choices, God understood his heart. We know his early history of threatening Christians. He even held the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen. God transformed him into one of the greatest missionaries and writers in the New Testament. God’s story of grace replaced his backstory of violence.

The Problem with Partial Information

As humans, our understanding is limited by the physical world around us. The way we perceive life is shaped by our experiences and the constraints of the world around us. However, God is not bound by the physical laws He created; He is not constrained by the flow of time. We see moments. God sees lifetimes. We see a chapter. God sees the entire book. Not only that, but it is His story being told by Himself. Nothing is new or unknown.

“The proof of love is the willingness to listen.” – Mike Murdock.

When we face a hostile interaction, the outbursts or failures often stem from hidden causes like wounds, fears, or past experiences. There’s a story behind it waiting to be told. Those who offend us are often just trying to be understood. It is during those moments that we, as Christians, have an opportunity to reflect Christ. This is our chance to listen to their story.

James 1:19, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”

How God Calls Us to Respond

Look beyond the surface; do not let labels or single events define people in your mind. Ask yourself: What might God still be writing in their story? God uses every moment to shape us into the individuals He wants us to become. This interaction is not accidental. It is not just about them. It is meant to shape you. So, the first question is: What do You, God, want me to learn from this?

God calls us to extend grace to others as Christ did. Jesus saw potential in the Samaritan woman at the well, while others only saw shame. He offered her living water, not condemnation. He looked beyond the immediate encounter toward eternity. When emotions run high, can we look past the moment and focus on eternity?

The best approach is to let them tell their whole story. Giving them space to vent decreases tension and helps you gather your thoughts and calm your emotions. It also allows you to understand the background and the true origin of the interaction.

Remember how God writes new chapters in your life and the lives of others.

Practical Application

In business: Do not dismiss someone after a failure.

In ministry: Do not judge a seeker based on their past life.

Within family: Remember that even those who stumble can rise again by God’s grace.

Everyone’s story is never truly complete until God brings it to a close. Do not settle for just chapter one or even chapter ten. Trust that He is weaving redemption, even when all you see is brokenness. The danger of a single story is that it leaves no room for grace. However, God’s story always offers space for redemption.

Philippians 1:6: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

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You Are a Child of the King: Embracing Your Royal Identity

We are made in the Image of GodYou Are a Child of the King: Embracing Your Royal Identity. That is a fantastic statement of self-worth. It is a statement most of us can’t internalize. We can’t see ourselves as royalty; we see the failures, shortcomings and defects, not the purple robe of royalty. We know, intellectually, that we are descendants of royalty. But that knowledge doesn’t filter down to our consciousness.

Genesis 1:26–27: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

We are made in the image of the creator of the universe (Imago Dei). Think of this: You are created in the image of the most omniscient, omnipresent, immutable, Most High, All-loving, Transcendent being in all the universe.

Romans 8:29, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

Past Performance

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

We judge ourselves using two flawed measurements. First, we judge ourselves based on past performance. Past performance is just that—past performance. It is not an indicator of future worth. Our worth is not determined by what we’ve done—good or bad—but by what God has done for us through Christ. God has wiped the slate clean from past performances. Past performance is only good when you give your testimony of redemption. Past performance is only about how far God will go to redeem you. That’s it, nothing more.

1 Timothy 1:16, “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him.”

Worldly Performance

The second measurement is worldly performance. This measurement is significantly flawed because it adopts a short-term perspective and is based on an ever-changing foundation. We are unique, shaped by different passions, skills, experiences, and motivations. Our cultural backgrounds shape us in many ways; where we grow up, the values and morals our families instill in us, our economic environments, and the influences of the world around us all contribute to who we are. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately evaluate a person’s worth according to contemporary world standards, as these criteria are too volatile and fleeting.

So, where do I look first when I look at myself and want an honest and fair evaluation? Go to the scriptures. Look at yourself through God’s eyes. It is the only accurate measure of worth. What does God think of you? You are His offspring, His child, and His love.

The more a person loves, the closer he approaches the image of God. – Martin Luther, “What Luther Says”

Living with the Image of a King

Colossians 3:10 – “…put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.”

What does it mean to bear God’s image? God has endowed us with these characteristics:

  • Moral Likeness – Our conscience guides us with an innate sense of right and wrong.
  • Relational Capacity – God designed us for relationships, reflecting the relational nature of the Trinity.
  • Creative Ability – Just as God creates, we express creativity through art, invention, and innovation.
  • Authority and Stewardship – God calls us to govern and care for creation as His representatives.
  • Value for Human Life – Every person holds inherent worth, regardless of race, status, or ability.
  • Justice and Compassion – God calls us to protect the vulnerable and care for the marginalized.
  • Unity and Reconciliation – Because we all bear God’s image, this truth should inspire us to pursue peace and reconciliation.

 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

Live like you reside in the Palace of the King.

  • Your past failures? Redeemed.
  • Your past successes? A gift, not a measure of your worth.
  • Your future? Defined by God’s grace, not your track record.
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Peter Pan

Key to GreatnessPeter Pan said, “You can have anything in life if you sacrifice everything else for it.”

Peter wasn’t wrong. Paul put it a little differently.

Philippians 3:7, “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”

Chasing the Fog

Accomplishments: many people, men, more likely, have sacrificed everything else to gain power, privilege, wealth, or fame. The worldly trappings and the expectations of others drove their view of self-worth; they believed Peter Pan before they believed Paul. They thought the uneasiness they felt was due to not having enough. It was just the next thing that would make a difference. Many would look back on their lives and see they had sacrificed everything in vain.

“Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.”—Jim Collins

I don’t want to be that man. I want my life to count for something. I want to leave a legacy that will echo through eternity. In my death, I want to be bigger than life itself.

Matthew 6:19-20, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.”

Gravitational Pull of the World

The world pulls at us with the gravitational pull of the Sun. It wants to keep us in its orbit of mundane, meaningless accomplishments. Eventually, our orbit will decay, and we will find nothing but a fiery finish. When time has run out, we realize that all we have accumulated will be forgotten or exploited by others we have never met. We cannot reach back for a do-over. The do-over starts now.

Ecclesiastes 5:15, “Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.”

Joy is a choice, and God wants us to choose joy, but happiness is also part of God’s plan. Not perpetual happiness with laughs and birthday cake, but true deep-down happiness that grows from the soul. The type of happiness that brings tranquil sleep. It is a happiness that radiates throughout your body in quiet moments of reflection. It is a contentment that nothing else can give.

Never is a Long Time

Peter Pan also said, “Never is an awfully long time.” To never experience the pure love of Christ is indeed a long time. It makes life a marathon in Death Valley rather than a walk in the park. To always have to trust in yourself is exhausting. To always have to know the answers, have a plan, and make a move is to live a life full of anxiety and worry.

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Seeking His kingdom and righteousness is not just putting your sights on eternity with Christ; it is to live a life worth living here on Earth. It is to free yourself from chasing the esteem of others and only pursuing God. It is about having faith, knowing that Christ is with you, and knowing your needs will be met. There will be setbacks and challenges, but you are not alone. You do not have to create the person that God wants you to be; God already created them; you must find them within yourself.

“People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.”—Edmund Hillary

Peter Pan, “To have faith is to have wings.”

Peter Pan wasn’t all wrong, but I’ll take Paul.

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Is Adversity Part of God’s Plan for Your life

Adversity and FaithIs adversity part of God’s plan for your life? That is both a scary and humbling thought. First, I don’t believe God necessarily brings adversity upon us. It is not in His nature. But He does allow our actions and those inherent in a broken world to affect us adversely. I believe He allows this because we need direction and guidance that can not be achieved through prosperity. We will not modify our behavior if we do not see the natural outcome from behavior contrary to God’s teaching.

“Out of the cross comes the resurrection. Out of weakness comes real strength.” – Timothy Keller

Throughout my life, I have developed this philosophy: adversity is an opportunity to either become a victim of my circumstances or the author of a great story demonstrating the power of overcoming. In the middle of the fight, it is hard to see that there are two paths available to us. We can give in and give up, letting the tides of life wash us out to sea, or we can use this opportunity to grow stronger and be an example to others who might suffer the same fate.

Resilience in Hardship:

Several examples in the Bible show how God uses adversity to create greatness. Like Joseph, Moses, and Esther, challenges can be opportunities for preparation and transformation. Even when circumstances seem overwhelming, perseverance and faith can lead to unexpected triumphs.

1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humankind. 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.”

Whatever situation you are in, there is a way out. It may not be simple, quick, or painless, but it exists. God will not let you suffer beyond His ability to save you. Resilience and patience are the key.

Unlikely Heroes:

God often uses ordinary or overlooked individuals—like Esther, Ruth, and David—to accomplish extraordinary things. His use of ordinary people reminds us that everyone has value and the potential to make a significant impact, even in adversity.

God doesn’t create superheroes to show His compassion and grace. He uses everyday people like you and me.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29: “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before him.”

Never think you are not good enough to be a beacon of light. Don’t believe that you are not significant or worthy to be rescued. No matter your personal view of yourself, God cherishes your existence.

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

Divine Providence and Timing:

As seen in the stories of Esther and Joseph, timing plays a critical role. Difficult seasons often position people for opportunities they never anticipated, revealing a higher purpose at work. We cannot see the future, but we know that the future God has planned for us is more significant than we could envision. It does not seem that way when you are in the eye of a storm, but all storms run their course and come to an end.

We need to be resilient to withstand the storm. That resilience can not come from within us but from above us.

Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Courage to Act:

Like Esther’s bold decision to approach the king, overcoming fear and stepping out in faith can lead to remarkable outcomes, even in uncertain times.

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

Start creating your story of overcoming by believing you will overcome through God’s grace. With that conviction, start moving in that direction. Great stories require movement and stepping out in faith when the outcome is uncertain.

Psalm 144:1: “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.”

Transformation Through Faith:

Faith in God can bring healing, growth, and redemption as demonstrated through Paul’s conversion or Job’s restoration.

Jeremiah 30:17: “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord.”

We live in a time-constrained, linear view of life. We see only what is in front of us, and we don’t see the ripple effect of every interaction. God does; He knows the future. We move forward through faith.

Joel 2:25-26: “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten. You will have plenty to eat until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you.”

God is in the business of restoring broken lives, healing wounded hearts, and redeeming what has been lost.

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The Legacy of Time

The legacy of time. All of us leave a legacy; it can be good or bad. The definition of legacy is something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past.

Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Legacy versus Tradition

The thought that keeps going through my head is not how many seeds are in an apple, but how many apples are in a seed? That question goes to legacy. Most people evaluate the number of people they affect through evangelism as their legacy. That is the definition of how many seeds are planted. What is forgotten is that each seed has the potential to be an apple tree, not just an apple. That apple tree will produce many apples over many years. Each apple has many seeds. Some seeds will fall to the ground, become planted, and germinate into another apple tree, producing fruit. A small portion of the apple seeds from that tree will fall to the ground, be planted, and production will continue. That I see as a legacy.

Luke 12:33: “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches, and no moth destroys.”

That planting of the first seed is good works. It is the temporal activity of good Christians. It may take years for that seed to grow into a tree that can sustain fruit. That tree may not see that some seeds fell on fertile ground and started to grow. Because we cannot know the future, every seed planted is important. Good works eventually produced a good legacy.

Fleeting Legacies

Most of what we consider legacy is more in line with temporary, fleeting, or transient. We create traditions and cultures that last a few generations and then dissipate. We give material goods that are soon forgotten or replaced. Creating a true legacy is about permanence, rippling through time, separate from ourselves. True legacy does not require or even promote self-awareness. Your family name on a building or a non-profit in your honor is fleeting at best.

Luke 12:20-21: “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night, your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

A legacy isn’t confined to years, decades, centuries, or even millennia; it transcends time and touches eternity. It is about fundamentally shifting the trajectory of humankind, inch-by-inch. This concept may sound too big for it to be achievable. But it is not; you’re planting apple seeds. It is not for you to carry the legacy to a conclusion. You should start with a few seeds and then let God do His thing.

I love this quote: “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”, by Edward Everett Hale. It is the essence of leaving a great legacy. It is about apple seeds, not apple orchards, apple trees, or even individual apples.

Johnny Appleseed

1 Corinthians 3:8: “He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.”

There is already one man who has gone before you. Johnny Appleseed (born Johnathan Chapman; September 26, 1774 – March 18, 1845) was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced trees grown with apple seeds (as opposed to trees grown with grafting) to large parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Ontario, as well as the northern counties of West Virginia. He became an American legend while still alive due to his kind, generous ways, his leadership in conservation, and the symbolic importance that he attributed to apples. He was also a missionary for the Church of New Jerusalem of Manchester, England. Orchards attributed to him still produce fruit today.

Johnathan Chapman left a limited legacy through his distribution of apple seeds and an eternal legacy through his missionary work.

Colossians 3:1-3: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

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Reflecting

Reflecting on the upcoming holidays and their meaning to me through the years has brought me to a story.

Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

As we move through this season, we naturally reflect on gratitude. Thanksgiving draws us to consider our blessings. Christmas invites us to show love and appreciation to others, including those whose struggles we might not personally know. Then comes New Year’s, a time for renewal, as we commit to becoming the best versions of ourselves. Gratitude, love, and hope—these themes call us to live with purpose.

Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

I started remembering one of my most cherished memories and how powerful gratitude can be when shared.

A Story

“That’s because sympathy identifies with the problem, but compassion gets up, looks up, and says, I need to do something about this.” – Brian Houston, Live Love Lead: Your Best Is Yet to Come!

Years ago, I attended the Dogwood Art Festival in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. The spring weather was flawless, with blue skies, cotton-candy clouds, and dogwoods in full bloom. Artists displayed their passion through beautiful creations, and I was content simply soaking in the scene.

As I sat on a picnic bench, a woman joined me. She was unremarkable in appearance but soon revealed a life marked by struggle. She mentioned how she could live for a year on the cost of some of the art displayed. Her comment opened a door to a deep conversation.

She shared her story: a life of hardship, poor decisions, and broken opportunities. She was living in a halfway house after being released from prison, striving to rebuild her life. Her dream was simple—to live a normal life with work, friends, and stability. Yet, she felt the weight of her past holding her back.

Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

A Choice

God has a way of placing people in our paths at just the right moment. I shared with her about God’s plans—plans not to harm, but to prosper. I encouraged her to surrender her plan for His, to find a church where she could grow, and to join a group of believers who would walk alongside her.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

During our talk, her demeanor changed. She sat taller, her face softened, and her eyes brightened She admitted she had heard of Christ’s love before but had always put off exploring it. She resolved to connect with a nearby church where she knew some members who visited her halfway house.

I don’t know how her story unfolded, but I trust in God’s timing. I was just one part of her journey—perhaps a small catalyst in God’s grand plan for her life.

Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”

A Moral

This experience reminds me that sharing God’s love is more than an obligation—it’s a privilege. By sharing the richness of His blessings in our lives, we allow others to see His transformative power.

1 Corinthians 9:10 affirms: “Whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.”

May this season inspire you to live with thankfulness, share God’s love with others, and embrace the peace of Christ in your heart.

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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