Tag: Hope

What Should Sharing the Gospel Feel Like?

Encouragement and advice for those who want to share their faith in a way that blesses others.

Evangelical Christianity leaves different tastes in everyone’s mouths, depending on their experiences. For some, it’s a hopeful and energetic taste, like crisp apple. For others, it’s a comforting taste, like smooth honey. But for many, unfortunately, it leaves a bitter or tart taste.

There are many reasons for the unpleasantness surrounding “Evangelical Christianity”, but at the core of them all is this: the sharer of the Word did not fully understand or appreciate the meaning and feeling of the gospel.

As someone who grew up, and remains, in an evangelical denomination, I still believe it is important — vital, life-giving even — to share the gospel. However, our mindset and intentions are essential to whether or not sharing the gospel blesses unbelievers.

So…What should Sharing the gospel feel like?

For my birthday one year, I was given a generous box of beautifully arranged sweets. Each set within the box was so delicately arranged, almost too adorable to eat.

My first inclination was to share these sweets with people in my life. I knew it would bring them joy, and sure enough, whenever I shared them, the receiver’s face lit up with delight.

While there are certainly difficult and painful aspects of being a follower of Christ (and they shouldn’t be sugarcoated), the heart of the gospel is one of joy. It is a gift to be able to have the Holy Spirit with us in each moment. It is astounding to comprehend that Jesus loves us so much, He died for us. And it’s even more incredible to realize the God we worship is powerful enough to overcome everything, even death.

When you share the gospel, remember that you are extending a gift to someone else. You are offering it, not forcing it or manipulating it into their hands. And their hands must be open to receive.

You never know what someone will do with a gift you give them. They may toss it aside and forget about it. They may dig it up years later, when they are ready, and be touched by it. They may hold it close to their hearts and be transformed by it. Perhaps they will be spurred on to share it with others. And of course, there’s always the possibility that they may reject it entirely.

Your role changes once the gift has been given. Depending on your relationship with this person, you may walk alongside them, loving them and answering questions that are posed to you. Or your role may be over once the gift has been given.

Perhaps it will be years before the person truly receives your gift, but your job is not to speed up the process or push them into a decision. And sometimes, we aren’t called to share the gospel in certain situations.

What, you might be thinking, how is that biblical at all?

This month, I’ve been rereading Acts, and I stumbled upon this passage, which surprised me, but over time made sense:

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. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After 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

Paul is the definition of a gospel-spreader, in many ways. He devoted his life to it. Even so, the Holy Spirit prevented him from speaking to certain groups of people. That doesn’t mean these people weren’t loved less by God, but perhaps their hearts weren’t ready or hearing the gospel at that time would’ve hurt their faith rather than helped it. I’m sure you can think of moments in history when the gospel wasn’t shared in a helpful or loving way.

There are three really important things to remember before sharing the gospel:

  1. Feel a clear prompting from the Holy Spirit. This can look like, but isn’t limited to, having an unbeliever come into your life/mind repeatedly, feeling a strong sense during prayer or when reading the Bible, or being in the present moment with someone and feeling the nudge to share.
  2. Share your story. Of course, you aren’t obligated to give out your personal testimony to every person you see. However, when you share about the gospel, it’s important to highlight how God has transformed your life. Why is this message important to you? What circumstances in your life cause you to want others to experience God too?
  3. Bless others with your words and actions. The message of Jesus is a blessing for us to receive and to share. We must give from a full heart, spending time enriching our own faith and being among a community of believers. We cannot share the gospel in a compelling way when we are deprived in our own spiritual life. View this gift Jesus has given us as a blessing rather than an obligation or a burden to carry.

I pray that as you are sent off this Sunday, you remember how much Jesus loves you. His power is within you, so you do not have to fear when the time will come for you to share His powerful testimony. Your life alone is a testimony to God’s faithfulness.

To you, Lord, I called;
    to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 “What is gained if I am silenced,
    if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
    Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;
    Lord, be my help.”

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 30:8-12

Celebrations and Reintroductions!

Celebrating the 4-year anniversary of The Will to Wake Up!

Happy 4-year anniversary to The Will to Wake Up!

Whether you are new to this community or you’ve been here since the beginning, I am so incredibly grateful for you. I can’t believe how much has changed in my life and my perspective since I began this blog, and I hope that it’s brought you much joy and comfort along the way.

As we celebrate together, I will share a few reflective journaling prompts for you, and a reintroduction to this blog and me!

A Little About Me and This Blog

  • I actually began this blog during a rough season in my life. On September 21st, 2019, it felt like the whole world was crashing down. My heart was shattered by multiple experiences, and I didn’t want the darkness to creep in. The light that came out of that darkness was God prompting me to start this blog. I realized the most important thing to know when you’re going through a tough time is that you’re not alone. This blog is meant to be a reminder that there is a reason to wake up each new morning. God is our will to wake up. With Him and each other, we are never alone.
  • Over the past two years, I’ve been pursuing a degree in creative writing. Becoming a writer has been my dream for my whole life. I feel most connected to God when He inspires me creatively. During that time, I’ve experimented with different writing mediums, such as self-publishing an encouraging picture book, submitting a screenplay to a drama competition, and working on my first real novel. There is also now a Youtube channel connected to this blog as God has inspired me recently with filmmaking. I don’t know where God will take me next, but I’m excited to find out!
  • Other passions of mine include photography, working with horses and kids, and spending time in God’s creation. With every sunset, I am reminded of how we are meant to be still in God’s presence. He loves us enough to add beauty to our lives and be there with us through it all.
  • Here are the top three things I’ve learned since the creation of this blog:
  1. Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s being afraid and doing the right thing anyway. We may not always feel courageous, but that’s okay. Following God’s will wherever it takes us is an incredibly brave act on its own.
  2. Every person is meant to teach us something. While they may only be in our lives for a season, cherish them for that season. Listen to them with respect, even if you don’t agree. If you do, you will come out of that relationship a stronger person.
  3. Rest is essential to our wellbeing. Rest can take many forms, but it often involves setting boundaries, prioritizing our mental and spiritual health, and being willing to disappoint some people. But the fruit of rest is joy and peace, which are so worth it.

Reflective Journaling Prompts:

  1. How have you changed in the last four years?
  2. What is one thing you are proud of since 2019?
  3. What is one thing you would’ve done differently since then, and what will you learn from that?
  4. What is one way you can pursue rest this week?
  5. Who is a person who has brought you joy recently? How can you express your gratitude towards them?
  6. What valuable lesson has helped you in life? Who taught it to you?
  7. What is one thing you are afraid to do, but know you should do? What is one step you can take today towards that goal? (Remember, it is okay to pace yourself. You don’t have to accomplish everything in one day.)
  8. What do you want to tell God today?
  9. And finally, what do you hope is true about your future or outlook a year from today, when we celebrate our 5-year anniversary? 🙂

Thank you again for being here. You are so needed and loved. Have a blessed rest of your Thursday! (How fitting our anniversary falls on a Thursday this year, our day of encouragement!) ❤

“They will be my people, I will be their God. I’ll make them of one mind and heart, always honoring me, so that they can live good and whole lives, they and their children after them. What’s more, I’ll make a covenant with them that will last forever, a covenant to stick with them no matter what, and work for their good. I’ll fill their hearts with a deep respect for me so they’ll not even think of turning away from me.

Oh how I’ll rejoice in them! Oh how I’ll delight in doing good things for them! Heart and soul, I’ll plant them in this country and keep them here!”

Jeremiah 32:39-41 (MSG)

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 one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

Sunflowers and Grace

Our God is a God of grace, and He wants to hear from you.

Who doesn’t love sunflowers? Their bright yellow and deep orange petals instantly bring a smile to my face.

Last week, a friend and I visited a sunflower field — which has been on my bucket-list for a LONG time — and included in our ticket was a free sunflower.

An older woman with a stern smile handed us a pair of shears and reminded us it was just one flower per person.

After having an amazing time weaving — or as some of the pictures might suggest, jumping — through the fields, we hunkered down and honed in on each flower, making sure we picked the best ones.

And then all of a sudden my friend goes, “Um…I don’t have the shears. Do you?”

A new hunt began, this time a bit more stressful. After scanning every row and retracing every footstep, we determined that the shears were missing. We practiced what to say, when to offer to pay for a new pair, wishing we had somehow brought an extra pair of shears with us.

The woman at the stand was waiting when we were finally ready. I expected a lecture, or at the very least an expectation that we’d go back and search some more or pay for what we had lost.

But instead, as my friend explained what happened, the woman’s face softened and she replied, “Oh, don’t worry. They always find lost shears during their night runs.” And she even trusted us with a new pair so that we could claim our precious sunflowers, which now had even more value to us. (In case you were wondering, we didn’t lose the extra pair of shears 🙂 )

This interaction reminded me of what it can be like to approach God after we’ve done something wrong.

It’s so tempting to avoid talking to Him because we’re afraid of His anger or expectations. But God wants to hear from us, and we are often most vulnerable when we admit our mistakes.

In fact, we miss out on many blessings when we don’t come to Him. Just as my friend and I wouldn’t have been able to bring home our beautiful flowers without that woman’s grace, we also miss out on beautiful opportunities when we don’t ask for God’s grace. And God’s grace is limitless.

I also know we never would’ve gone back to that farm if we hadn’t admitted that we lost the shears. The memory of an otherwise fantastic day would’ve been tainted with regret and shame. Our conscience — or rather, the Holy Spirit — is there to help us create a life that’s beautiful to remember, even the hard parts or the times when we mess up.

Going to God with everything on our hearts allows us to have a deeper relationship with Him. We are most able to receive His gifts of mercy, forgiveness, and understanding when we are off our soapboxes and on our knees in prayer, truly needing what only God has to offer.

Growing in our relationship with God is the biggest blessing of all. I hope today, no matter what’s on your heart, you’ll go to God with it all. His grace will meet all your needs.

But [God] 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. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NIV)

When Love Means Letting Go

Relationships can be beautiful, but temporary, like sunsets.

Where I live, it’s beginning to feel like fall. Leaves burn red and orange, the familiar pitter-patter of raindrops splat against my windshield, and there’s a sense of change in the air. Fall is a time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and letting go.

I saw a quote today encouraging us to view relationships like sunsets. Enjoy their beauty while they are here, but accept that they don’t always last forever.

During a recent trip, I was determined to see the sunset every night. On the first night, we happened to be at the beach just in time for sunset. The experience was peaceful, relaxing, and glorious.

The next day, I frantically ran through the streets in search of an entrance to the coastline, desperate for the sunset. We caught the fading remains just as the sun sank behind the puffy purple clouds.

On the third day, with the bold declaration that we wouldn’t be late this time, I set up camp a half hour early, waiting and waiting for the sun to set. This resulted in a headache from being under the direct sun, fire ant bites, and momentarily losing my travel companion. While the sunset was beautiful, it wasn’t quite so relaxing.

Finally, on our last day, I told myself that if I was meant to see the sunset, I would see it. The timing worked out perfectly. Right after dinner, we happened to be next to a beach access just as the sky turned tangerine and pale pink. We were able to bask in the beauty of the sunset without any strains or burdens.

Relationships truly can be like sunsets. When they evolve naturally, they are beautiful and comfortable. Even when they are challenging, they provide growth and insight. But when we force relationships to outlive their lifespan or stay just as they are because we aren’t ready to change, we begin to feel exhausted, frustrated, and lonely.

I’m someone who has trouble letting go of people. When I become friends with someone, I like to go deep and create a meaningful bond. However, letting go can be an act of love. It doesn’t mean you have to stop caring or praying for a person. But it may mean taking a step back, reevaluating the relationship, or saying goodbye altogether.

Even Jesus set boundaries with His disciples. He became close to them through His earthly ministry, and when He knew they were ready to share the gospel, He sent them off as He went up to Heaven. Perhaps they wouldn’t have grown in courage and boldness if Jesus had stayed. When they missed Jesus, He told them that the Holy Spirit would be their helper, someone with them at all times, living inside of them. That gift is even greater than having Jesus physically here with us.

Letting go of loved ones (or perhaps people who are in your life who you’re struggling to like) can be opening a door to a better future. It’s not that you are harming them — in fact, you are participating in their growth and freedom. But perhaps the dependency you have on each other keeps you from fully living into your calling or your dependency on Jesus.

I pray that if you are feeling led to let go of someone in your life, you are able to do it in love and leave the situation with peace. Trust that even if one relationship is ending, there are so many more people out there for you to meet and bless. You are not alone. ❤

But now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

John 16: 5-15 (NIV)

Understanding Anger Through a Biblical Lens

Anger has often been misunderstood in faith circles, but what if it can be used in a positive way?

Let’s face it: we all get angry sometimes. And unfortunately, the church hasn’t always been a source of clarity or wisdom when it comes to expressing our anger in a healthy way. The pendulum can swing from complete opposers to anger, claiming even the emotion itself is a sin, to others saying it’s completely justified to be angry and bitter all the time. There are many false beliefs about anger that I’ve grown up with and have had to unlearn as an adult. Let’s take a look at what the Bible actually says about anger.

We will get angry

We are human. Anger is a natural emotion we will experience. Jesus Himself experiences anger several times throughout the gospels, particularly when He witnessed injustice or a lack of love. This is why Paul addresses anger in Ephesians:

If you get angry, do not sin; do not allow the sun to go down on your anger and do not give an opportunity to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27

While we shouldn’t suppress our anger, we also need to be careful not to let it justify bitterness. It’s easy to harbor unkind thoughts towards a person who has wronged us. It’s tempting to seek revenge rather than working towards justice in a healthy way. It’s especially easy to let anger skew our vision to the point where we can no longer view another person or group of persons as truly human, made in God’s image.

And the moment we allow bitterness to prevent us from seeing others as God sees them, the devil has the opportunity to turn us away from love.

Anger and Forgiveness

The number one way our relationship with God suffers is when we are unable to experience His forgiveness. God forgives all our sins when we come to Him and repent, but Jesus has strong words about how we must transform from His mercy.

For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others their offenses, neither will your Father forgive your offenses.

Matthew 6:14-15

It’s not wrong to be upset, hurt, and even angry when other people wrong us. However, anger isn’t a stagnant state to live in. Anger is a step towards healing. As we process our anger, we need to open our hearts towards forgiving the person who hurt us.

We are not “earning” salvation this way. We are also not expected to instantly forgive someone without working through our hurt feelings. However, this stipulation is in place because as followers of Christ, we must become more like Him. Can any sin against us be greater than the sins God has forgiven of all people?

Ultimately, God knows that bitterness draws us away from others, from Him, and from love. Therefore, by commanding us to forgive, He is helping us live the best life possible.

*Side note: Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting. It means not resenting our offenders and being released from the burden of bitterness. Forgiveness also doesn’t mean enabling others to continue to do harm. Giving honest feedback and seeking justice are important actions to take in painful situations and are supported in the Bible. Be sure to do everything out of a heart of love.

The reason why we’re angry matters

Anger actually rages rampant in the gospels, particularly in Jesus’ relationship with the religious leaders (ironic, isn’t it?). However, the source of Jesus’ anger in His relationship with them is different than their anger towards Him.

In one instance, the religious leaders are testing Jesus by asking if He will heal a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath, which they deem a sin. Jesus replies, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”. The leaders respond with silence. Then, Jesus “look[s] around at them in anger, grieved at the hardness of their hearts,” and restores life to the injured man (Mark 3:4-6).

It’s clear that Jesus’ anger comes from His love for all people. He’s angry that His own beloved children are choosing religious rituals over loving others. He’s frustrated that they still don’t understand. Perhaps He’s upset by the injustices the man with the shriveled hand has experienced. He’s not only angry, but He’s deeply grieved by this situation.

Meanwhile, in this same story (but recorded by a different author), after the man is healed, the religious leaders were “filled with senseless anger and began discussing with one another what they might do to Jesus” (Luke 6:11).

The word for “senseless” in Greek is “ἄνοια”. Additional meanings of this word are “want of understanding”, “folly”, “rashness”, and “madness”.

Their main reason for being angry at Jesus throughout the gospels is their fear of losing control and power. This selfish anger causes them to commit further sin, aiding in the murder of Jesus.

Pride, jealousy, insecurities, and fear often drive our anger. In those circumstances, it’s important to pause before acting and ask ourselves whether we are allowing our anger to cause us to become someone we weren’t created to be.

Anger is powerful

It saddens me that we don’t talk about anger more often in church. It’s not something to be taken lightly or ignored altogether. When we allow anger to control our lives, it often means it’s not from God. It can drive us to hurt others and ourselves.

But anger can also be powerful in a positive way. When we feel anger from God, such as anger about injustice, brokenness in our world, or pain someone is experiencing, we may be more driven to help others or to show empathy. Anger can cause us to care, perhaps in the same way Jesus cares for us, out of deep love.

The next time you feel angry, ask yourself what the seed of this anger is? If it stems from love, perhaps it’s time to act on it. If it stems from bitterness or selfish motives, ask God to help you work through this anger and see the situation in a godly way.

No matter where your anger comes from, bring it to God. He isn’t afraid of your feelings. I believe it even delights Him when we trust Him enough to be vulnerable with our deepest, scariest, and most powerful emotions.

A Prayer of Belief

Inspiration for prayer based on Mark 9.

Read this with me: Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

Mark 9:14-29 NIV

Yesterday, I read this passage with my Bible study, and our leader asked us a question I had never pondered before. Who was the one praying in this story?

The immediate answer would be Jesus, right? Since He’s the one who casts out the evil spirit.

But upon closer inspection, the words Jesus uses in this passage don’t sound like prayers. Rather, He’s mostly speaking to either the father of the boy or the spirit itself.

However, the father speaks to Jesus and says, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

While this is a highly quotable verse, what if we view it as a prayer? Perhaps — likely, even — this is the prayer that heals his son. How can we learn to pray like this?

  1. We speak directly to Jesus. Often, our prayers become long-winded when we forget we’re having a conversation with someone (not just our own thoughts) or if we feel the need to pray in a way that impresses God or others. This prayer is simple, a natural part of the boy’s father’s conversation with Jesus. While we don’t often view people’s conversations with Jesus as prayers (in the Bible), they are doing exactly what we are doing, only with Jesus being physically visible to them.
  2. We proclaim our belief. While the father had been giving into fear and doubt earlier on, I believe his son’s healing comes from his own spiritual transformation from disbelieving to believing. Even if we are still struggling with doubts, declaring that we believe or that we desire to believe shows Jesus how important faith is to us.
  3. We ask for help with believing. Jesus doesn’t expect us to figure out life or faith on our own. He is here to help us. So if we are struggling with fully believing in Him, we don’t have to be ashamed of asking for His assistance in this process.

So here are my challenges for you as you let this story soak into your understanding of Jesus and faith today:

  • Read through other people’s interactions with Jesus in the gospels. Try to imagine them as prayers, perhaps just focusing on the dialogue being exchanged. Which prayer resonates most with you today?
  • Write out a 1-2 sentence prayer to Jesus that captures the essence of what you are celebrating today and what you need from Jesus.
  • Ask yourself, are you struggling with believing in Jesus’ ability to transform and heal the painful areas of your life? Is it time to ask Him to help you believe?

Isn’t it amazing to know that Jesus loves us so much and wants to hear from us? I hope this reminder brings you joy today.

Be Somebody Who Makes Everybody Feel Like Somebody

What choice will you make when it comes to dealing with pain?

“Be somebody who makes everybody feel like somebody.” I’ll always remember when I got the plaque that reads this quote, which now hangs above my work station.

A couple years ago, I was going through a tough time, mostly in the friend-department. Several people who I cared about and relied upon stopped treating me like “somebody”. I felt replaceable and unwanted.

Most of us have been in this situation where it feels like our worth is up for debate. I’m sure that the people who treated me poorly have felt rejected or heartbroken before.

We have a choice whether or not we let our pain dictate our actions. Will we be so engulfed in our own shame and despair that we desire for everyone to feel as broken as us?

Or will we recognize that everybody else has already felt this way — or will — and we have the power to help them not feel alone.

Today I spent time with a wonderful friend who so beautifully embodies this quote. She has such an encouraging, life-giving presence, radiating with love and affection. She isn’t frugal when it comes to words of affirmation or gentle hugs. I believe she won’t often find herself regretting not saying “I love you” because she says it when she means it.

I’ve also recently been with somebody who has allowed her pain to cast a heavy burden upon her outlook, relationships, and future. This pain blocks her vision, affecting her capacity to feel joy. It deeply saddens me to watch her drown in her sorrows.

It’s not too late for you if the second example resonates more with you tonight. Every new morning is a chance for a clean slate, a fresh start. Jesus offers us redemption and grace when we turn to Him with a repentant heart.

The most beautiful thing about joy is that it’s contagious. People will notice you’ve changed when you allow yourself to absorb the joy Jesus offers.

Joy doesn’t mean minimizing our pain or others’ hardships. In fact, it is the opposite. Joy is embracing all situations with hope and trusting that Jesus will take care of us through it all.

I hope and pray you are able to release your burdens today and make space in your heart for joy. As you do, you will find yourself seeing with new eyes, remembering that every person truly is somebody. In Jesus’ eyes, and now in yours.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[b]30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31

A Haiku for You

If you are a writer, I encourage you to try different writing styles to spice up your writing life. Tonight, I decided to try writing a few haikus. I hope either one of mine, or one of your own creation, is an inspiration to you.

Broken mirror

Saying goodbye to

My younger self looks like a

Smile unashamed.

To Doubt

Doubting has power

When we thought it was saftey

It is a fear wall.

Tidal Wave

Sinking in my doubt

To avoid disappointment

No longer I stand.

Calling

Daughter, Son, Child

Of the Most High God, you are

Free to heal in Him.

Miracles

Jesus offers life

In the fullest when we trust

He is here to stay.

Butterflies

Flutter from flower

To flower transformed into

Life everlasting.

Signs of Wholeness

Wholeness comes as we allow Jesus to impact our identity. But what does wholeness look like?

Have you ever been in a dark room right after hearing a scary story on the news or watching a creepy movie on TV? Or perhaps you needed to get somewhere at night and you are worried about tripping or losing your way.

No matter your age, you likely feel more comfortable and confident with a light as your guide.

Have you ever felt unsure of what next step to take in your life? Or like you’re wandering around alone in the dark?

The lamp of the body is the eye. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be filled with light, but if your eye is evil, your whole body will be filled with darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 6:22-23

Before we encounter Jesus, we can live vibrant lives, but they will be lacking an important spark. There is an aching hole in our hearts that can only be filled by Jesus’ light.

Jesus is our comforter, companion, source of confidence, and the one we can turn to when we make mistakes. As we journey together to become more of who God created us to be, we should ultimately become more and more whole.

But what is wholeness and what does it look like?

To me, wholeness means being completely yourself, unashamed and unburdened, while living fully into your purpose. Because we live in a broken world, we likely won’t feel whole all of the time. But we can celebrate the “green flags” in our lives that remind us that we are on the right track.

As we follow Jesus, we are becoming who we are meant to be, and that is so beautiful.

Signs you are becoming more whole

  • You don’t feel as easily swayed by peer pressure or the fear of missing out
  • You are not ashamed of your appearance, your mistakes, your passions, or who you are in Christ
  • You are able to set boundaries with kindness and “no” becomes a regular part of your vocabulary
  • You are able to let go of things that are out of your control
  • You don’t feel the need to rush the process
  • Time with God becomes a habit and an enjoyable part of your day
  • You feel less and less like you have to hide things from God
  • You respect yourself and those around you
  • Though you may feel lonely at times, you are comforted in the reminder that you are really never alone
  • You feel strong enough to serve others with Jesus’ love
  • Negative self-talk ceases
  • You don’t feel burdened by resentment or tied down by vengefulness
  • It isn’t painful to celebrate other people’s victories; you know that you are not behind even if you aren’t on the same track as them
  • No matter what you are doing, you know that you have a purpose
  • You are eager to pursue God’s will, even if it isn’t clear yet
  • Perhaps others are beginning to notice positive changes in you 🙂

I hope this list isn’t overwhelming for you, but rather encouraging. It isn’t a checklist to complete, but rather a reminder that you are growing and changing even when your goals feel out of reach. Celebrate the small successes — they really aren’t so small. Ask God for joy for the journey, even when life is redundant or difficult, and trust that you will be sustained even in your sadness, anger, or grief.

We don’t have to pretend with God. Deep, honest, and vulnerable relationship with Him is perhaps the biggest step of growth itself.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:9-12

Persevering in Prayer

Do you leave your time of prayer disappointed?

I think most Christians struggle with prayer at least once during their lives.

For me, I grew up with difficulty motivating myself to pray because I had the misbelief that prayer is a list of requests and thanks, not a real conversation. And no matter what, it had to be boring.

When discussing prayer with other believers in my life, I hear of many other reasons why prayer can be difficult for them. Perhaps you can relate to a few of these reasons…

  • God didn’t answer your prayer in the way you wanted
  • You feel disappointed after praying
  • Life is going well even when you don’t pray (or perhaps it feels like it goes better when you aren’t focused on God)
  • You don’t have time to pray
  • If God knows everything already, then why pray? Seems like a waste of His time
  • You don’t know how to pray to God — after all, He’s the creator of the universe, that’s a bit intimidating

Or maybe your reason is entirely different. All of these reasons are valid…but they need to be understood and worked upon, not permanent excuses that create roadblocks in your relationship with God.

Dealing with Disappointment

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Matthew 21:22

This verse feels so encouraging as a young Christian. I can ask for anything? Even a mountain to fall into the ocean? Even for an impossible healing? Even for all my dreams to come true?

But then, when life doesn’t go as planned, this verse becomes irritating, even angering. Am I praying wrong? Why isn’t prayer working?

Jesus never lies. However, sometimes we don’t quite understand what He means.

Before approaching this verse, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what prayer should be:

  1. A bonding time with God
  2. A time for requests, thanksgiving, praise, and repentance to take place
  3. Transformative

You should never feel guilty for praying. God wants to be in communication with you. Jesus sacrificed everything so that we could have the Holy Spirit, our advocate, in prayer and in relationship with the Trinity. You are not wasting God’s time with your requests.

A few months ago, I was really having a hard time knowing what to say to God. Prayer journaling was easier for me, but that was all me talking*. When I bowed my head and closed my eyes, there was this tension preventing me from speaking from my heart.

*(Side note: I still highly recommend prayer journaling! It’s great to diversify the ways you pray)

During the “repentance” portion of my prayer, I would simply say, “God, I’m sorry for my sins. Please forgive me for my sins”. But then I started asking God for help in specific areas of my life. I invited God into the spaces I was ashamed of, the places where my mistakes were hiding.

There are times when I still struggle with being vulnerable with God. But thanking God for characteristics that are given in the Bible, such as His grace and mercy and love, help my heart to turn back to Him and remember that I am not alone on the journey to becoming who He created me to be.

Going back to Matthew 21:22, the Greek word for “receive” is “lambanō”. There are several definitions of this word. One is “to take, to take up”. I imagine that when we really believe in what we are asking God, He will receive our prayer. It will be taken up to Him.

Another definition is “sustain”. Prayer is meant to change us. It can change our desires, our feelings, our outlooks. It can change the course of our lives.

But even as we wait for those longer term things to change, we can transform from the inside out. Prayer can give us peace. It can sustain us during the toughest storms.

Instead of feeling disappointed in your prayer life, go into prayer time with the hope that you will come out with a closer relationship with God and a feeling of peace. Ask God what He wants you to receive from your time together.

As with everything, growing in your prayer practice will take time. But don’t give up — it will be worth it.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Luke 11:11-13

*All Greek translations come from the MOUNCE Greek Translation on BibleGateway.