Category: God's love

Waiting for God at the Edge

A poem for those who have ever wondered where God is in our pain.

If God could stop my heart from breaking,

Why am I still in pain?

If God could erase all my tears,

Why am I still in dismay?

If the sun still rises each new day,

Why must I be in such disarray?

If I hold onto all of God’s promises,

Why do I still feel this way?

Perhaps God can do all these things

Paint the sky with vibrant hints of love

Sing to me with the birds perched up above

Wrap His arms around the little children

And wait for me to come running.

But what if there’s something to gain from pain?

An aching heart can mend another

The presence of a soul who truly understands

The longing to rest in God’s own hands.

Yes, God can cure the worst of nightmares

That spark to life like wildfire

Scorching our hope and singeing our pride

Until we’re at the height of being alive.

God allows us to reach the edge of the cliff

But He holds our hands so we don’t drift.

Perhaps His presence is enough

To satisfy the wish for the whirling to stop

And instead to remember that no matter what

Through tears and aches and pains

That God is right here

Loving, faithful, patient, and true

Always the same, right here for me and you.

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 12:18, 22-24

10 Takeaways from Being 19

Encouragement along the journey.

In just a few days, I will be entering a new decade of life! I’ve been reminded that when I feel stuck, it’s important to look back to even a year ago and realize how many things God has brought me through or taught me about in just twelve months.

In honor of my upcoming birthday, here are 10 things I’ve learned from being 19:

  1. God always answers prayers

But…I’ve had to redefine what the word “answer” means. If you ask someone a question and they say, “I’ll have an answer for you by tomorrow”, that answer could be a variety of things. It could be a resounding yes or a sympathetic no.

I’ve come to realize that most often, God’s answer isn’t my version of a “yes” or “no”. Rather, it’s something completely unexpected that may involve loss and difficulty but will lead me to the place where I’m meant to be.

2. Hardships cultivate empathy

If you let them, hardships can be the best way to connect with others on a meaningful level. Opening your eyes to understanding how God may use your past or present difficulties can cause you to have deeper peace.

3. Rest matters

Never have I ever had a year where rest has been so critical to maintaining healthy boundaries, keeping a clear mindset, and showing myself love. And when we rest, we are better able to step into our workplaces and relationships with patience and grace.

4. Counseling is important, but only Jesus brings full healing

Hear me out on this one. I will always be in support of counseling and mental health care, but after undergoing counseling treatment for the first time last fall, I realized my expectations for it weren’t completely realistic. When we expect human treatments to fix all our problems, we will never experience complete satisfaction. But when treatments supplement our reliance on and relationship with God, we will receive the healing that our bodies long for, even if it’s a slow process.

5. Keep an open Bible

This one I learned from my boss, who is a pastor. When in meetings or in prayer, there is something profound about keeping your Bible open even after you’re done reading it. It’s an image of allowing the Holy Spirit to speak into your decisions and guide your thoughts.

6. Go for daily walks

I’m no athlete, but getting fresh air every day has been one of the things that has kept me alert and grounded through dealing with life online and having a busy schedule. Being surrounded by nature or at least breathing in new air reminds me of God’s creativity and grace.

7. When you ask for patience, you will get patience

This year has been filled with many trying situations and relationships. There have been moments when I’ve wanted to escape from it all, but God has always pulled me back and pushed me to stay on track. Recently, I’ve realized that patience, a trait that I’ve lacked on many occasions, has been growing inside me. Last night I looked at my list of goals for this year, and becoming more patient was one of them. What do you know? 😉

While a difficult goal, one that’s still being cultivated for me, patience is something God seems to delight in helping us work on.

8. People change, and that is a beautiful thing

I used to be terrified of change, and it’s still not my favorite thing. However, change allows us to be transformed into the purposeful creation God has made us to be. And when we try to keep people in a box of past expectations, we lose sight of how they are also being shaped into healthier individuals. When we make space for growth in relationships, we will start to gain more understanding, empathy, and even joy.

9. Callings may shift over time

God shouldn’t be limited to only giving us one calling during our lifetime. Rather, our calling may shift throughout different seasons and we may be led out of circumstances that we had been brought into. Over the past year, I’ve stepped away from two major places where I had been previously called. While it felt unnatural and even a little terrifying, following God without knowing what comes next has been vital to growing my trust in Him.

10. Don’t let anyone underestimate you

Recently I’ve been in several circles where I’ve been the youngest one. I’ve definitely felt out of place and even unqualified at times. But then God reminded me that even though I’m young, I still have gifts to bring.

Age is such a subjective matter. We may seem old to those fewer in years or unlearned to those farther along on their journey. But God sees our full potential and will use us as much as we are willing.

I have two wishes for you on this beautiful day:

That you may find joy along the journey and chase light wherever it takes you, even if it means trying a new path or setting a new boundary for the sake of rest

And

That you always know you are never alone and that God will be there to see you through whatever battles you face.

May you go through every day with love and grace.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

When Jesus Knocks

Does fear cause you to keep Jesus at a distance?

On the morning of the most amazing day in history, eleven men were huddled in a room, terrified for their lives. These men were fishers, tax collectors, zealots, and followers of Jesus. Very notable followers, in fact, for being the original remaining disciples.

Yet a knock at the door sent the disciples running under tables, terrified for their lives.

Okay, we don’t actually know if Jesus knocked. Or if they were really under tables. But given that they had been hiding since Jesus was crucified? I wouldn’t be surprised…

Of course, they didn’t know it was Jesus who was waiting for them on the other side of the door that day. They likely thought it was Roman soldiers who came to arrest them. Or maybe they had heard from Mary that Jesus was alive and they were scared about seeing Him again.

For Peter, he might’ve felt shame at the sight of his Lord after denying Him three times. For Thomas, it might’ve felt safer to not get his hopes up. For others, it might’ve seemed too great a miracle to be true. And perhaps they were worried that Jesus would judge them for being scared?

Just think–fear kept them from letting Jesus in. And arguably very solid fears for their lives. But when they allowed fear to dictate their actions, they weren’t open to the possibility of a miracle.

Thankfully, no wall or door or any sort of barrier–even fear–will keep Jesus out. He appeared to them, showed them His hands and feet, and gently reminded them to have faith. He reminded them that He would always love them and have the power over death.

What areas of your life are you allowing fear to dictate your actions and thoughts? When you allow fear to be in control, you put Jesus in the backseat of the mission. But Jesus is the only one who knows what He’s doing and has complete control. In any car chase, I would gladly have someone like James Bond take the wheel rather than me–someone who knows what they are doing and can remain calm in the situation. But of course we don’t have our own personally trained body guards–we have someone better. Jesus, thankfully, is able to be everywhere at once and advocate for all our needs.

Today, ask Jesus to open your eyes to the areas in your life where you need to be honest with Him. Ask Him to intercede for you and help you trust that He knows where He’s leading you and He won’t let you go. Nothing can stop the power of Jesus’ love in your life–not even fear.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

John 20:19-20

Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:25

I Know You Will

Remembering God’s faithfulness through poetry.

A poem in honor of God’s faithfulness this Lenten season.

I Know you will

The shadow cast upon this night

Makes it hard to see the light.

Wondering, aching, hoping, waiting

The questions keep on coming:

Will you still love me even when I stumble and I fall?

Will you still love me even when I ignore your call?

Will you still love me even when I follow the crowd?

Will you still love me even when I cry so loud?

Will you still love me even when I make the wrong choice?

Will you still love me even when I can’t seem to find my voice?

Will you still love me even when I am ignored and alone?

Will you still love me even when I stray far from home?

Yes you will.

I know you will.

It’s in your will.

You will love me when I come running,

You will love me when I am crying,

You will love me even when I feel like I’m dying.

You love me still, I know you will, I know you do.

That’s what makes you YOU.

So turn me back

To the place where we met

Where I wept and I wept

Confronted with what I lack.

Turn my heart back to you

Make me long to do what you call me to

And thank you, thank you

That I always know that up above

Or deep within, I have Your love.

Speaking from the Soul

What does your soul want to say to God today?

As we approach Lent next week, I was reading Psalm 103 with the other staff members at my church, particularly focusing on what our souls might be saying to God in this season. Through that process emerged a poem, which I hope inspires you today.

To God at Lent

By Hannah Chung

You created the world so beautiful

Rushing waters and still sunsets

Dancing leaves, so colorful.

In the wind, through the trees,

In a hug, a hold, a smile,

You remember the least of these.

My soul is eager to obey

Your simple call

That whispers its way

Into my heart.

My soul knows what my mind does not

It remembers all the times

You’ve been there for me when I could not

Hold on without You.

But bodies break

While minds ache.

Tragedy falls

While emptiness calls.

Haunting darkness floods

Our veins

Tempting us to forget

Your faithful ways.

Your voice is gentle

Your voice is firm

Your voice is patient

More than we deserve.

Your voice soothes my soul

When I need the strength of eagles.

Help my soul’s memory

Flow through my body.

Allow the trust my soul desires

To transform me.

While You left in physical form

Your promise to never leave us

Is what keeps me warm.

When the cold and the frightened cramp me in,

Still Your love will break me free from within.

My soul, it knows You

More than I ever can

Here on earth.

And I thank You for the peace

That comes from the mystery

Of the life blossoming

In this redeemed soul.

Today, ask yourself what your soul might be saying to God. Perhaps it’s a praise for the ways He has shown you faithfulness this year. Maybe you are seeking answers or peace after a storm shook your world. Whatever it is, God wants to hear from you. So reach out to Him today and let His peace fill you. ❤

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:1-5

Witnessing God’s Faithfulness in 2022

How has God shown up in your life in 2022?

It’s hard to believe that in a matter of days, it will be a whole new year!

My word of the year for 2022 was faithfulness.

To be honest, I frequently forgot it was my word until I heard someone use it or a particular moment stuck out to me as evidence of “faithfulness”. But reflecting on this past year, I can truly see how God used faithfulness as a reminder of His steadfast love during a trying year.

2022 was a year with unique challenges. After making a difficult decision that changed many of my plans going forward, I struggled with handling my emotions in a healthy way. Instead of working through them, I bottled them up inside until they left me feeling empty and hopeless.

But God used this experience to help me learn to trust others, have the courage to receive godly counsel, and respect myself enough to set healthy boundaries. Most of all, God showed me that emotions, even negative ones, don’t have to be a weakness. God can use them to reveal Himself to us.

I went through several seasons in 2022 wondering when I’d finally hear from God again. But every time I remembered to ask God for an opportunity to witness His presence in my life, He showed up. Perhaps not in tangible ways or how I would’ve expected, but always giving me a sense of hope, a glimpse of His grace, or a sign that He’s still with me.

Through it all, God remains faithful.

As I have grown (and will hopefully continue growing) in understanding God’s faithfulness, God has given me opportunities to encourage others through faithfulness, whether it meant sticking with a difficult job, reaching out to friends going through hard times, or simply making time to be with Him each day.

You may have your own list of ways you’ve endured through 2022. Perhaps these actions seem small, but they hold eternal value.

Did you have a word for 2022? Reflect on this past year and how you’ve seen God work through the hardships and the joys.

God will strengthen your character through every season, drawing you closer to Him. No matter what, He never gives up on us. I hope that the rest of 2022 brings you peace, hope, and excitement for all that lies ahead.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:9-12

Fully Known, Fully Loved

Hope for when faith feels overwhelming.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

John 21:25

This verse used to frustrate me. Just when I thought the Bible included everything we needed to know about Jesus, it turns out so much happened that not even the whole world has room for it all!

As followers of Jesus, we long to know Him. That’s the true stem of all the debates, divisions, and doubts in the church. Ultimately, we want to be the one who knows Jesus the most and who understands His teaching the best, so that we’re sure of His love.

But clearly, that’s not how Jesus works.

And in that case, it can feel overwhelming trying to understand Jesus when we know we only have a portion of knowledge about Him.

Have you ever read a book with such deep characters, compelling plotlines, and intertwined with an overwhelming passion that you suddenly wanted to know the author? Or maybe you felt like you knew the author simply through reading their book.

The Bible is designed to teach us how to live and understand our history, for sure. But the most important purpose of the Bible is to draw us closer to God. Through reading it, we can better understand our Creator and desire an intimate relationship with Him.

Part of this craving comes from not ever being able to fully understand all that God is. Perhaps if we had all the stories and all the answers, we wouldn’t long for this relationship so deeply.

As I consider this verse once more, I have a new appreciation for its meaning. Jesus gave us just what we needed in order to understand enough of Him to aim to be like Him and to rest assured that we will always be loved by Him.

This Christmas, no matter the questions and confusions you may have about your future, your faith, or anything in your life, I hope you are filled with peace knowing that no matter what, Jesus loves you.


I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

The Name You’ve Always Needed

Encouragement for when you feel forgotten. ❤

It stings when someone forgets your name.

Names are a funny thing–they seem so simple, just a word to identify yourself, and often not one you’ve chosen. Some people seem to really fit their names, while others…may deserve some sympathy from overly humorous parents.

I’ve never felt particularly attached to my name, Hannah. I’ve always liked the sound of it, and I’m named after two amazing women. But somehow, perhaps after being in classes with five other Hannahs, the name never really felt like mine.

Names play a pivotol role in the Bible.

Mary Magdalene finally recognizes Jesus after His resurrection when He says her name.

The birth of Israel as a nation occurs after Jacob is renamed.

Abram becomes Abraham after making a covenant with God.

Saul transitions to Paul after his life-altering encounter with the Light.

We could go on and on.

Names are so much more than just a word. They make us feel remembered and important. They give us worth. When someone says our name in just the right way, we are washed over by their love.

And yet, our earthly names are not the names that truly identify us. We have another name–unknown to anyone but God–written on a white rock in Heaven to be given to us when we are reunited with God.

I am instantly enveloped in comfort at the thought of God having a unique name for every single person who has ever–or will ever–exist, the name we have longed to be called without even knowing it.

God remembers you and sees your worth even when no one else does. Even on the days when it feels like the entire world has left you. You are not alone. We have so much to look forward to, but for now, let’s go out and help others feel remembered too. ❤

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

Revelation 2:17

Close to God’s Heart

Encouragement for when you feel alone ❤

I’m a self-proclaimed awkward hugger. I enjoy hugs, but I think the hardest thing about them is knowing when to let go. The quick side-hugs are the easiest, yet least impactful. Then there are the ones that seem to never end, and always result in a weird back-patting situation.

There are two long hugs that I will likely always remember vividly. The first was saying goodbye to a (very good) hugger friend of mine who wasn’t ready to let go. So we stood there, embraced, and I knew it was an excuse for her to not move forward. As hard as it was, I had to release her.

Then there was a night when I was the one who needed comforting, the one not ready to be set free. Overwhelmed and in tears, I was a glob in the arms of my very gracious friend who eventually sat me down in a chair so that I could collect myself.

What I’ll remember about these events are the love and affection shared within my relationships, but the bond eventually had to be broken, at least physically. There’s no way you can just stay in that posture forever.

And yet, there’s a little piece inside that grows cold when the hug is over. When you feel all alone again. Inevitable, right?

Well, maybe not.

God, being the definition of love itself, is able to hold us close without ever letting go. But God is also capable of moving forward with us, prompting us to grow in the ways we are meant to in order to become the people He created us to be. Yet this transformation doesn’t happen independently. God doesn’t give us a pat on the back and walk away.

No, God will be holding us close through the whole process. That is how we can have peace in the midst of challenging, even heart-breaking situations.

Tonight, whether you feel alone or stuck or confused, I hope you can rest in the knowledge that God loves you so much and is holding you close to His heart. He won’t ever let you go. ❤

And He has raised up for His people a horn, the praise of all His faithful servants of Israel, the people close to His heart.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 148:14

You are Not Forgotten

No matter how you feel today, you are not alone.

I stood at the edge of the curb, rain dripping down my back, one earbud hanging loose over my shoulder. Angry, confused, wondering what was wrong with me.

And then soft words, as though an angel were singing in my ear, flowed through my remaining earbud:

You are not hidden
There’s never been a moment
You were forgotten.

Lauren Daigle, “Rescue”

That was four years ago, and yet her words never cease to haunt me. In the most comforting way possible, of course. But it’s funny how someone’s simple words can reach into your soul and pull something out that you never thought possible.

I’ve come to notice a trend in theology classes: they always start with Genesis. No surprise there. But this year, after reading these chapters countless times, my professor brought something new to light.

The first time we hear God speak to Adam and Eve, He asks, “Where are you?”. And this question, my professor remarked, is what God continues to ask humanity throughout history. Even now, each day, God might ask this of us.

It’s weird how difficult it is to answer that question. I mean, there’s the simple answer, “I’m at ___ address”, or even if you were to take it metaphorically, “I’m at peace in my life right now”.

Yet I don’t think I really had an answer until I didn’t know where I was geographically.

I was sitting in my room–which had only been “mine” for a few days–in Cambridge, overlooking a river full of punting boats and swans. I couldn’t tell you where to find me or how to get anywhere other than the local grocery store from there. And yet, as I took a deep, steady breath, I finally knew where I was. I wasn’t in hiding anymore.

Last week, I sat alone on the grass on my university’s campus watching the bright yellow leaves float down around me. This campus has engulfed me in loneliness, gripped me with terror, and coated me with shame. And yet, I could finally sit comfortably where anyone could see me and feel well.

God doesn’t ask Where are you because He wants to “get us” for our sin or pile on guilt. God asks because He wants to be in relationship with us, and we can’t have a loving, open relationship without being brave enough to present our full selves. To come out of hiding. To be honest about how we truly feel and what we’ve become.

Ultimately, God asks this of us because He never forgets us. He remembers us. Through the tears that came down with the thunder and lightning roaring inside to the quiet moments where no one knew we were hurting.

God remembers us in the joyful moments, the excitement that no one else can truly understand but Him. In the meaningful connections, the smile after the conversation is long since over, the memory that keeps us alive.

While we’ll always be remembered by God, we can’t feel remembered until we step into the light and allow God’s love to cover any inadequacies we still face.

Today, I hope you can believe that you are not forgotten. God loves you so much and He will never let you go.

I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.

Genesis 9:15