Purpose – The Will to Wake Up

Seeking Signs of Growth

Is it hard to trust God’s plan for you in the waiting?

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t have a green thumb.

(Cough, one time I caused a succulent to burn and rot simultaneously…)

But this was going to be the summer of new life. After the spontaneous purchase of a packet of sunflower seeds, I hurried to the backyard and planted seeds in every spare plot of soil. It was a generous packet, and I ran out of space with still six seeds left.

A few years back, we had planted sunflower seeds in a pot, and they barely grew. But I had run out of other options, so I pushed the remaining seeds down in the soil of a large pot.

Then I waited.

And waited.

Oh, and watered.

Other plants sprung up around me, but my sunflowers wouldn’t even sprout. Faithfully I watered, and still no sign of growth.

After a month and a half of waiting, I determined that the seeds planted around the yard had been eaten by rabbits or birds. The only spouts, barely a few inches high, were in the pot.

And then, after the first leaf made an appearance, someone chomped the leaf off too.

I wasn’t willing to give up on my last surviving seeds, so I elevated the pot onto a chair (out of reach of my furry visitors) and prayed that they would still grow.

We had one of the driest, sunniest summers in Washington history–the perfect climate for sunflowers. Yet my sunflower buds refused to pop open.

September rolled around, and I was starting to give up hope that I would ever see the fruit of my labor. All the other plants withered for winter or transformed into one final brilliant display of color.

And then a clump of yellow petals peeked out into the world.

At last! A sign of life.

Right as the rainy season was about to begin.

God knew how much these flowers meant to me. They weren’t just proof that perhaps I could keep something alive. They were a sign of hope, that all the waiting was worth it.

Not just in my gardening life, but in all the areas where it’s been hard to be patient.

And so, even through stormy nights and windy mornings, these flowers bloomed vibrantly. Yellow and orange smiles greeted me whenever I ventured into the backyard after a long day.

They withstood more than I could’ve imagined: hungry animals, dewy mornings, and heavy winds.

Perhaps if they would’ve bloomed when I had wanted, I never would’ve realized how strong they were.

As the only color in a fading yard, they stood out as the light. This was their time to shine, and through the waiting, they were an even greater encouragement.

What are you waiting on in your life?

Perhaps life feels stagnant…and has felt stagnant for years. But don’t lose hope. God is preparing you for all that is to come. With changing seasons, there are opportunities to draw close to Him, in both the blessing and the trial. In fact, the waiting times are often when we rely on Him the most.

When you seek God in the waiting, it will not be a wasted season. You will be strengthened in Him so that you are ready when the next season arrives. Keep your eyes open to all the ways He’s reaching out and showing you His love, even if it’s through a simple flower or friendly smile.

You are growing, and have already grown, more than you think.

His purpose for you never changes. You are designed to be His child, a beckon of His light, love, and truth throughout your community. Show up faithfully, even with your scars, longings, and questions, and He will answer you.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.

Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

Matthew 6:28-30 (NIV)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Is God Still Using Me?

A reflection on my journey from stepping back from corporate ministry to finding peace and purpose in serving God with purer motives.

My greatest realization after stepping back from corporate ministry was uncovering the unhealthy motives for why I served.

As a teen, I felt invisible at church. I struggled to belong at youth group, I was scared to participate in mission trips, and it felt like the only way to be part of the community was to serve.

Then I started my official ministry position during a very vulnerable period of my life when it seemed like everything else was falling apart. I sought a sense of purpose, and the church was more than happy to make me useful. Watching the number of students grow and receiving praise for my spiritual gifts was addicting…and exhausting because deep down, I knew that wasn’t what church was supposed to be about.

Through my position as Children’s Ministry Resident, I served multiple times a week, developed curriculum, spoke regularly in front of my congregation–and if there was anything going on at church, I was there.

I didn’t only serve for selfish or insecure reasons. I deeply cared about the congregation, especially the kids, and I believe God called me to that position for a season.

But after burning out, I started listening to God’s nudge for me to leave that church and explore new pastures with Him. Upon coming home from my last day of work, I was overwhelmed with peace. The lyrics to the worship song, “I Surrender,” flowed from my heart.

Yet it took months to truly transition out of my old mindset, a mindset so fixated on producing quality programs and pleasing the congregants that I put my personal relationship with God on the back-burner.

The phrase, “it was the difference between night and day,” understates what transitioning from being on church leadership to being a regular congregant felt like. One minute, everybody knew my name and expected so much of me. The next, I was wandering into different churches and leaving without a trace.

I kept pushing away the fear (rather than bringing it to God), “Does anyone still need me anymore? Do I have a place in ministry without working for a church?”

After a couple months of searching, I landed on a new church, ironically three minutes away from my house. There were two things that confirmed God wanted me to be there: I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me through the sermons, and they sang “I Surrender” my first time worshipping with them.

Surrendering my work duties wasn’t hard–it was honestly a relief. At last, I could actually pay attention during service instead of running around meeting everybody’s needs.

But surrendering my pride and my desire to feel needed? That required much more faith and humility.

When observing how this new church operated, I certainly had moments of thinking, “If I were in charge, I’d do this differently,” and “Ouch, they still don’t remember my name?”.

God didn’t allow my pride or past pain prevent me from growing. Stepping back to rest and focus on how God wanted to refine me was crucial in preparing me for the challenges and opportunities to come.

Over the past year and a half, God’s placed me in situations that have required tremendous faith. I wouldn’t have been able to trust in Him this deeply–and cry out to Him for help when I struggle to trust–had I not spent this time growing in my understanding of God’s character and dwelling in His presence.

Resting in God doesn’t mean we can’t serve at all. Participating in the body of Christ by sharing our gifts is a valuable part of the Christian walk. But we can’t serve well if we are relying on our own strength and motivated by anything other than a love and appreciation for God and His people.

Our heart motives change when we realize that:

We aren’t needed by God, but we are wanted by Him. Not wanted in the way a child begs for a new toy that they’ll forget about in seconds, but deeply desired, as one might long for their significant other.
We are not capable on our own. The success of our ministry stems from our reliance on God.
Rest is an act of worship…and faith. When we take the time to rest, we are admitting we cannot do anything on our own strength and we need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Just because God isn’t using you in the same way He did before doesn’t mean He isn’t using you at all. When you surrender your life to Him, there will always be opportunities for ministry, perhaps in more organic ways.

This past school year, God’s guided me toward getting more involved in my new church by teaching children again and serving in other background roles, all with much better boundaries. And you know what? I don’t miss having congregants come up to praise my public speaking skills or seeing my name on the wall of leaders.

By not investing as much time in church-specific ministries, I’ve also had more capacity to invest in the lives of my friends and Bible study partners, pray intentionally for them, and reflect on how I can grow in my relationships.

There might be a season where God calls me to serve in a larger capacity in corporate ministry again, but for now, I have peace trusting that God will use me wherever I’m at. No ministry is too small to be used by Him to do amazing things.

If you are doubting your purpose or value, remember who you are in Christ:

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:16-17 (NIV)

“Though the mountains be shaken
    and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

Our purpose? To be God’s daughter or son.

Our value? Immeasurable. We are worth everything to God, who loved us enough to send His son to die for us so that we may have everlasting life with Him.

Trust that God loves you so much that He has a perfect plan for you. ❤

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

An Ink-Stained Journey

Learning to trust God through the process of becoming an author.

I was scared to pursue becoming an author. Don’t get me wrong; I absolutely love writing. Feeling inspired to create is one of my favorite ways to connect with God.

But when I entered high school, I worried that my passion for writing wasn’t enough. Writing is a competitive business, and it would require both confidence in my skills and humility to take rejection in order to succeed. And most importantly, immense faith in God’s calling.

So I explored other viable career paths–only to hit dead ends. When it was time to choose a university, only one of my options had a creative writing program. As I prayed over my decision, I knew God wanted me to pursue writing. While the thought of becoming a professional writer gave me joy, I soon realized God led me to the decision that required the greatest amount of faith.

Then this choice was posed to me again after I graduated. Even with the awareness of the costs and challenges to come, I chose to continue pursuing writing with the desire to witness God reveal more of His purposes for me.

Over the last six months, I’ve been growing as a writer through participating in a faith-based writing and business program called The Author Conservatory. Through this program, I’ve received mentorship from Christian writers, encouragement and feedback from my peers (fellow aspiring authors), and entrepreneurship training.

The Author Conservatory focuses on building the foundational components of a story so that we can approach both simple and complex topics with grace, respect, and wisdom. One challenge with this has been learning how to plot out the main details of a story rather than beginning the process by drafting. (For my fellow writers out there, I’m more of a pantser! But plotting is growing on me…)

Each novel undergoes four stages of planning: Concept, Character Arc, Synopsis, and Outline. And within those stages are weeks of revising, brainstorming, and rewriting. By the time we’re allowed to draft, it feels like such a reward!

Another aspect that has required humility is receiving an abundance of feedback, particularly from industry professionals, and needing to make changes–sometimes drastic ones–in response to it. But accepting constructive criticism has transformed my work and my perspective.

While the process may feel slow at times, every rewrite, every training, and every bit of new insight draws us closer to becoming professional writers.

Though choosing to pursue writing has come with sacrifices and challenges, I am so thankful God led me to Author. As a writer, I feel like I’ve grown more in the last 6 months than I would’ve in 6 years on my own. This community has encouraged me to dedicate my writing–both fiction and non-fiction–to God, and invite Him into the process.

Perhaps you’re finding yourself in a situation where you aren’t sure what the next step should be. Consider bringing your options to God in prayer and seeking His direction.

Every decision comes with costs–but also blessings. The most blessed path, even if it requires patience and sacrifice, is the one in which God is leading you.

In fact, making sacrifices for something shows commitment to it. Sometimes the blessing that comes with sacrifice is recognizing how much you love something–or someone.

I used to be scared of making choices that would disrupt God’s plans for me. But none of us have the power to thwart God’s plans for us. We may take some detours along the way, but we will always end up exactly where He wants us to be. The smoothest way to get there (even if the road appears bumpy) is listening for His voice with each next step.

And often God’s path is lined with unexpected blessings: godly friendships, opportunities to trust Him deeper, patches of peace. Even laughter is a gift from God.

Celebrate the ways God has blessed the journey you’re on. Ask Him to meet you in the moments that feel difficult and discouraging. And trust that He is leading you to trust in Him more deeply with each passing season.

Then Job replied to the Lord:

“I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

Job 42:1-2 (NIV)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:26-28 (NIV)

What Were We Made For?

Out of His great love, God created us to be in relationship with Him.

Deep down inside each of us, there’s a desire to understand our purpose.

Throughout the years, I’ve often been told that our purpose is to become more like Christ. But as we examine Jesus’ life, it wasn’t particularly pleasurable–at least by earthly standards. After all, His journey reached its climax with His death on the cross. The ultimate form of pain, betrayal, and injustice.

On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, He cried out to God and expressed His distress over His impending suffering. Yet God continued to call Jesus to sacrifice.

[Jesus] withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴²“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” ⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

Luke 22:41-43 (NIV)

When we are going through suffering, this passage may feel both comforting and alarming. Witnessing God direct Jesus straight into a deadly situation may stir panic in our hearts. Does this mean God wants us to go through pain too?

And as we consider God’s divinity, we may find ourselves wondering, “Why doesn’t God use His power to stop all suffering?”

What if I told you that God is using His power to stop all suffering?

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

⁵He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:3-5 (NIV)

Right now, God is already preparing the way for His new kingdom to come where we will no longer live our fractured existences, marred by brokenness and sin. It is out of His mercy that we are given a chance to repent and develop a relationship with Him while this broken world still exists.

But we don’t have to wait to experience God’s kingdom. When we live according to God’s calling and Jesus’ example, we can shed God’s light and love on even the darkest situations.

So what was God’s purpose in creating us?

Consider God’s original design for the world back in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve didn’t go through pain or suffering, until they allowed sin into the world. Their purpose was to be in relationship with God and tend to the world God created for them.

That is our purpose too.

God still longs for this because He loves us so deeply. He did not create us for suffering. He does not take pleasure in our pain. He cries alongside us. And then, out of His mercy, He redeems our suffering.

For no one is cast off
    by the Lord forever.
³²Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
    so great is his unfailing love.
³³For he does not willingly bring affliction
    or grief to anyone.

Lamentations 3:31-33 (NIV)

If you are struggling to find hope today, remember how Jesus’ earthly journey ended. Not with death, but with new life. God redeemed Jesus’ suffering by using it as a catalyst for us to have relationship with Him again.

God’s ultimate goal is to be in relationship with us. But due to the broken situation of the world, we cannot have a perfect relationship with God–or with anybody–until there is full restoration in Heaven and Earth.

Today, we are called to seek God’s kingdom, setting aside our own aspirations in order to pursue His purposes for us. Often, God places desires in our hearts that we are meant to pursue and other times He leads us in a totally different direction than what we planned.

But through it all, God has a perfect plan for us, cultivated out of His unconditional love. Trust in God’s plan today with the hope that no matter what happens next, God is with you through it all and He will never let go of His precious child. ❤

I remember my affliction and my wandering,
    the bitterness and the gall.
²⁰I well remember them,
    and my soul is downcast within me.
²¹Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

²²Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
²⁴I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

²⁵The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
²⁶it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:19-26 (NIV)

Embracing the Process

While reflecting on the example of growing as a horse rider, consider how God might be calling you to grow as a believer.

I work at a horse riding stable, and one of my favorite parts of the job is witnessing students transition into competent riders.

That often means they don’t need help cleaning their horses’ hooves or assistance with getting their horses to move faster than a walk. It becomes natural for them to know when to circle their horses to make space, recite horse anatomy and tack, and understand the basics of how they should ride and interact with horses, even if they mess up sometimes.

In my mind, my students are transitioning from simply being horse admirers to becoming true horse riders.

This transition isn’t just a joy for instructors, like myself, to witness. I notice the smiles on my students’ faces when they are able to feel independent and try harder activities during lessons.

But this next stage in riding development comes with its own challenges too. I have higher expectations for my students because I know that they know how they are supposed to ride. If their heels are up or their horses are crowding another horse, I will remind them of how they should be. As they perform harder assignments, I might point out more detailed things for them to work on than before.

Before, it was simply about getting their horses where they wanted them to go without falling off. Now, it’s about the refinement period. Making sure my riders not only ride confidently, but with intention and poise.

Even deeper than that, it’s about getting my riders to make the last transition. Not from students to jockeys or olympians. But from horse riders to horse lovers.

In order to be a horse lover, you must ultimately care more about your horse than about whether or not you successfully rode a pattern or cantered faster than your friends. You must know your horse so well, you can notice and understand their movements and expressions and fears. You must be willing to do what it takes to care for your horse, whether that means cleaning their stinky stall or giving your horse a break when they are tired.

If you’re a regular on my blog, you might be wondering why you just had to read all about becoming a horse lover when you don’t spend any time with horses. (Though if you are a fellow horse lover, big high-five!) But I promise, the process of becoming a horse lover is relevant to your life, even if you never get on a horse.

That’s because this process mirrors our spiritual journey with God.

Consider it this way:

We must first express interest in having a relationship with God and ask for His forgiveness. Then, we make a commitment, whether it be attending church or small group or Bible study, to grow in that faith. Even as we participate in Christian community, we are still baby Christians at this stage. We are often reliant on others to hold our hands through this process and help us understand a God we admire, but do not fully know for ourselves.

Through prayer, discipleship, and ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit, we transition into independent Christians. Community is still vital to our faith–it always will be–but perhaps we are doing some of the leading. We feel more comfortable reading the Bible on our own and bringing our thoughts to the table. We have a sound understanding of what it means to be a Christian and we are starting to know what God’s voice sounds like.

While this season is exciting, it comes with its own challenges. Our faith might be tested for the first time. We may have harder questions to grapple with. Sometimes we experience loneliness or isolation where we must rely on God fully. This is a season of preparation, though, for the beauty that is to come.

And this stage is what generally lasts the longest because we cannot enter the third stage until we are reunited with Jesus in Heaven. We can become more mature as we wait on the Lord by spending time with Him and becoming more like Him in word and deed.

But we cannot fully know or love Him until we have completed the process of sanctification. Another word for this is glorification, which means we have been brought to perfection in Christ.

So what does this mean for us today?

We must prepare for when we will be reunited with God again. We shouldn’t be obsessed over when exactly that will happen–that will just create fear in us. But we should spend this time getting to know God and allowing His love to influence our daily lives and decisions. Through this process, there is grace, for we can trust that even when we make mistakes, God’s love for us remains.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5

Reflection Questions:

How might God be calling you to grow to become more like Him today?

What in your routine or relationships might need to change?

Celebrating 5 Years of The Will to Wake Up!

Reflecting on the past while finding hope in the future.

The most beautiful things can come out of the hardest situations.

If you had told me that on September 21st, 2019, I would’ve plugged my ears and ran away.

That day felt like the final kick in the shins after a fight already lost. In 2019, life felt like it was spiraling out of control. There were so many difficult situations, from a car accident to broken friendships to losing loved ones, and ongoing torments, like loneliness, grief, and guilt. In many ways, it was my “coming-of-age” year.

Nothing horrible happened on September 21st. I just received news. News of things to come. Your dog is dying. Your crush likes someone else. Your friend is making harmful choices.

And all those things (even the thought of losing my furry best friend) would’ve probably seemed inconsequential after what I had experienced earlier that year.

But often, it’s when that last glimmer of hope is snuffed out that we feel the most in despair. The most alone. Our hope vanishes only when we let go of the belief that despite all we’ve gone through, goodness may still lie ahead.

I don’t consciously know why my solution to my problems was typing out a blog post about dealing with pain. Writing had always been my way of processing things, but my writing had also always been personal.

The name for the blog came instantly to me, which felt like a sign since it usually takes forever for me to decide on names! Perhaps it was because in that moment, I needed someone to remind me why I should continue forward, continue waking up each morning. Slowly but surely, I allowed hope back into my heart.

Despite life’s ups and downs over the past five years, God has used His word, His people, and even this blog to be that reminder for me. That gentle nudge to say, “Hey, it’s okay. Even if this situation doesn’t turn out the way you planned, God is with you. You are not alone.”

No matter what shape this blog takes over the next five years, I hope that it remains two things:

a resting place where you can connect with God. The Spirit can speak through the verses, the words, even my own flawed insights, better than any person can.
a reminder that no matter what, you are not alone. You are so dearly loved.

What are you facing today? Is it difficult to imagine that there could still be more ahead? Yes, more challenges, but also more opportunities for joy and abundant life?

In prayer, consider asking God to help you surrender your fears, failures, hopes, and dreams to Him. As our divine creator, He knows better than anyone how to bring beauty out of any situation. And as His beautiful creation, no matter what, you can always run back to His loving arms and He will care for you.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

– Romans 5:3-5

Discerning God’s Call

Do you ever wish you could directly hear God’s calling on your life?

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel a little jealous of the early Christians, mainly because of how clearly they heard God’s calling.

Take the disciple Philip, for example. The Holy Spirit whisked him away from one location to the next so that he would reach the exact people he was meant to reach (Acts 8:26-40). He likely didn’t spend days, weeks, months, or years on his knees asking God where he was meant to go. He was just sent!

In many ways, the early church’s relationship with God resembles the Israelites’ relationship with Him in the Old Testament. They heard God’s voice audibly and/or through His appointed prophets. They always knew what He wanted them to do, even if they unfortunately didn’t obey Him.

As I’ve been learning how to discern in my own life (without God’s audible voice telling me what to do), I came across this passage:

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. ⁸So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ⁹During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

– Acts 16: 6-10 (NIV)

Notice these phrases:

“having been kept by the Holy Spirit”
“but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to”
“concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them”

I was reminded through this passage that God spoke to the early church in different ways and He continues to speak to us in different ways, too. And even when He spoke directly to them through visions or the Spirit, they still had to exercise patience and discernment.

The Christians thought they were supposed to preach in one location, only for the Spirit to call them elsewhere. They might’ve felt frustrated or confused at first, wondering why God would tell them no. But they obeyed, allowing themselves to finally hear a direct calling from God.

You might’ve noticed that the vision didn’t come overnight. They traveled to multiple places, repeatedly being prevented by the Spirit (I’m curious what that looked like), from spreading the good news there. But once they heard the call, they “got ready at once,” or in some translations, “immediately” left for Macedonia.

The Greek translation for “calling” in verse 10 means “to call to one’s self, to summon, to invite”. When we wait and listen patiently for God’s call, we aren’t just waiting to hear what task He has in store for us. We are being invited into God’s presence. When we say yes to His call, we are being drawn closer to God’s own self.

Just sit with that for a moment. We, God’s mere creation, are given the invitation to be brought to God’s own self.

Even if that invitation is brought to us differently than it was in the past, it’s still the same invitation. An invitation to not only do God’s work, but to be part of God’s family.

Today, we have many ways to hear God’s voice, even if they feel less direct than in the past.

Here are a few examples:

Reading the Bible and getting to know God’s character and teachings so that we can discern what God might call us to do versus what would be sinful.
Spending time in Christian community and receiving wise counsel from people God chooses to speak through.
Praying to God directly and spending time in God’s presence, getting to know Him better so that we can become more like Him.
And most of all, as believers we still have the Holy Spirit living inside us.

The Spirit moves in many ways, whether through the above avenues, or through visions, prophetic words, or miracles. While we shouldn’t necessarily expect these less common things to happen, we should never place limits on what the Spirit can do. Even having the Spirit inside of us is supernatural in and of itself.

We often talk about how the Holy Spirit is living inside of us, but the Spirit is not limited to our bodies’ capabilities. When we realize we are just one little sliver of a reflection of God, as we are created in His image, we can tap into the supernatural fruits the Spirit offers: love, joy, peace and patience, to name a few.

I encourage you to spend time with God today and ask Him how He might be leading you. Have peace in the process, knowing that all good things take time. And being in God’s presence is the best thing of all.

Life Update and Encouragement :)

He who promised is faithful ❤

Hey everyone!

I don’t know about you, but 2024 has been a whirlwind year thus far. Summer is often a great time to reflect on the past few months and consider the future with hope.

Thank you so much for sticking with me through this year! We’ve undergone some exciting changes, like finally getting our own domain (!!), adding a features section, and creating an inspirational video.

Personally, 2024 has been a year of transition. In June, I graduated college with my B.A. in Professional and Creative Writing. Leading up to that, I left one of my part-time jobs, gained more leadership responsibilities in my current job, lost a grandparent, found a new church, and experienced many relational highs and lows. It’s crazy how events and situations that carry such weight can be summarized in a few mere words!

On top of that, I’ve been asking God how He wants me to move forward in life, particularly with writing. I believe He’s led me to join a writing program that will equip me to complete longer, high quality projects in a faith-based environment. I’m excited to begin this program next month, though I admit I’ve been wrestling with anxiety over what comes after that.

Above all, God’s been gently reminding me that I need to surrender to His will. That’s a concept we don’t like in a very self-sufficient, independent society. We are comfortable when we feel like we have control.

But if I’ve learned anything over the course of my life, it’s that we are not in control. I am not in control. And maybe that’s for the best.

If you are struggling with this concept, remember the things you really wanted at earlier stages of your life, maybe even just a few years ago.

If your desires came into fruition, how would your life be different now?

What would you have missed out on if you had gotten what you wanted?

Often, because we can’t see the big picture, our desires aren’t in alignment with what’s best for us. Even when we make mistakes and chase harmful desires, we are not powerful enough to thwart God’s plan for us. When we turn to Him and ask for help, we will start to see how He can redeem any situation.

And when we are following Him, we will be safest of all.

That doesn’t mean we won’t experience pain and hardship, but it does mean we have peace knowing we are on the right path, protected by our Shepherd. We are not walking the path of life alone.

As I head into this next season of life, I will discern how God wants to shape The Will to Wake Up. Even if posts continue to be irregular (I’m so sorry!) or the formatting shifts a bit, I hope you will continue to be part of this community.

Thank you for your patience, support, and encouragement! God bless you. ❤

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

– Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV)

Reflection Questions:

What is one way you’ve needed to trust God in 2024?
What is something you’ve learned through a recent hardship?
Who is someone you’ve grown closer to this year?
What is an unexpected blessing you’ve experienced recently?
What do you hope for in the coming months?

Our Stories Matter

Listen to wisdom and encouragement from four of my friends and take comfort in knowing your story can inspire others too.

Earlier this month, I had the immense pleasure of interviewing four close friends of mine who have inspired me in their walk with Jesus. Hearing one another’s stories reminds us that we aren’t alone in what we are going through. As the body of Christ, we are meant to lift each other up. Often its through our words and listening that we best show others we care.

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

Below are a few quotes from my amazing sisters in Christ featured in this video. I hope it encourages and inspires you to hold onto the hope that Jesus will use your story. No story is too messy or complicated to be used by Him. In fact, when we are vulnerable and honest about our stories, others will witness Jesus’ genuine and authentic love.

“There is always hope.”

~ Dorothy

“Being surrounded by people who share the same faith in Jesus…points me to His hope when I can’t see it myself.”

~ Charlotte

“Resilience…reminds me of a cord being able to hold something or withstand something for a long period of time.”

~ Ruthie

“Giving everything to [God] is definitely one of my anchors.”

~ Ashley

The Beauty of Insignificant Work

Who are we serving when we show others kindness and love, even in the smallest of ways?

There’s no blow quite as resonant as learning someone doesn’t remember you.

Running into an old acquaintance and hearing them say, “Um…what’s your name again?” Bumping into a kid you taught for five years in Sunday school or a beloved childhood friend who stares blankly back at you as you recount fond memories with them. I’m sure you can think of your own example.

When we are forgotten, we wonder if our kind actions toward these people had any significance, any lasting impact. We were designed to crave purpose.

We like to pretend that we don’t deem certain work insignificant. But come on, if someone told you they spent a summer rebuilding a children’s home in an needy area versus playing with toddlers in your church’s nursery, your reactions would differ based on allocated significance for each activity.

Our tendency to rank our charitable acts, hopefully acts that stem from our love for God and His people, has its roots in comparison. We enjoy volunteering to babysit for the single parent next door until we learn our friend is traveling abroad to minister to hundreds of students on the brink of accepting Christ.

The final nail in the coffin is realizing the people we are impacting, even if we can count the number of them on one hand, may not even remember us. Does our service mean nothing?

Well, yes. It does mean nothing.

It means nothing if the reason why you are serving is to be remembered or feel significant, regardless of what you are doing. The what really isn’t important. It’s the why that counts.

I know that sounds incredibly cliché, but hear me out. We have no meaning without Christ, our Creator, who has redeemed us through His own sacrifice on the cross. Through His resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are given the opportunity to powerfully impact others.

Understand this (read it a few times if you need to): The only reason why we are able to make a difference is because of Jesus living inside us.

Anyone can do good works. A neighbor who has never met Jesus can cook you a spectacular meal after a terrible day or comfort you after the loss of a loved one. A stranger can plan a community-wide event that helps kids have a safe place to play. And no doubt, these works are wonderful. But they do not have the potential to be miraculous because they are not done out of a heart for God.

The beauty of insignificant work is its innate humility. When we botch up sharing our testimony to the youth group, but have a teen come up later and reveal how it inspired them, we know that only God could’ve used our words in this way. When we serve children who are too young to remember our time with them, but later watch them grow up with a solid understanding of God’s love for them, we trust that God was working even in the forgettable moments.

All works that point to Christ are used to transform lives, even if we can’t see it at the time. Some of us plant the seeds, others of us water them, but God is the one who created the seeds that bloom into fruitful plants. We are merely God’s workers, which is a relief because when we feel burdened by others’ problems, we can hand those burdens directly to God.

God is the best boss you could ever have. He doesn’t ever give you busywork or send you off to fetch His coffee. Every calling He places on our hearts is meaningful. He is not the one who suggests “smaller” deeds are insignificant. So what right do we have to call His work insignificant?

Today, keep your eyes open to the Spirit’s nudges on your heart. Remember that everything you do for Jesus is significant. Even if others can’t recall the kindness you’ve shown them, Jesus sees you and knows everything. Therefore, nothing we do out of His love is in vain.

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. ⁹For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9