Joy – The Will to Wake Up

Continuing Forward with Hope for the Future

Are you in the middle of a chapter in your life, waiting for God to show up?

A wise person once told me that it’s much easier to share about the trials and struggles of our past, rather than what we’re currently going through.

Perhaps it’s because we know how our past stories end–often in goodness, redemption, or peaceful surrender. Even if those stories end in tragedy, the ending is sealed in our mind.

One of the many reasons why it’s difficult to publicly (whether that be with one other person or an entire group) process our current struggles is because we aren’t quite sure what will happen next.

It reveals our lack of control over our own story.

True confessions time. Over the last few months, it’s been difficult for me to blog regularly for two reasons:

I’ve been writing so much more for my novel writing program (the Author Conservatory, which I shared about in a previous post). This has been a life-changing, transformative experience. Such a blessing in my life!
And the less flattering reason…I’m in the middle of several unfinished chapters in my own life story.

Sometimes I wish I were a character in a book with a clear beginning, middle, and end. A simple growth journey where I find myself whole and healed by the final page.

But God’s more creative than even the best human author. He’s also more patient too, carrying us through every chapter and scene in our life story.

(I have yet to read a book that spans the entire life of a single person, detailing every miniscule moment for pages on end. Probably because none of us would have the patience to read it!)

And yet God chooses to do life with us, every second of every day.

He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 121:3-4 (NIV)

This verse has been coming up in my life a lot recently. It’s such a comfort to know that God is watching over us without so much as blinking an eye. No detail goes unnoticed by Him, even the moments that we sometimes wish we could hide from Him.

But God views us, even in our fragile and broken human condition, as His precious children. He wants the best for us, and sometimes that means allowing us to trek further down an unknown path because the end result will lead to further growth and trust in Him.

All our paths are known to Him, even when the sky ahead seems foggy to us.

Perhaps this chapter of your life feels endless. Maybe you’ve been waiting on an answer or the fulfillment of a promise for years.

God welcomes our questions and wonderings, even our complaints. As we call out to Him, may we also remember all that He has done before, proving His faithfulness.

You see, friend, there is beauty and healing in sharing about the past and the present.

For when we remember the past, we also remember God’s unchanging character, and find hope in our present circumstances.

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV)

The Old Testament is filled with reminders to God’s people of all the ways He had already blessed and provided for them. During their forty years in the wilderness, they grew weary and doubted God would fulfill His promises to them. But God remained faithful, even when His people didn’t.

Our God is the same–yesterday, today, and forever. He showed up then, and He will continue to show up for us now.

Let’s continue forward with Him today.

Reflection Questions:

What in your life feels like an unfinished chapter?
How have you been responding to waiting in this season?
How has God provided for you in the past?
Go back to a Bible passage that has brought you comfort or hope in the past. What do you remember about God’s character through this passage?
Is there a safe person in your life who you should share your present struggles with?

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:5 (NIV)

Releasing 2025 into God’s Hands

What does it look like to release as we step into the new year?

Are you someone who enjoys choosing a word of intention at the beginning of the new year?

My word of the year for 2025 was “release.” And wow, has it been applicable. It’s never been clearer to me how God’s the true author of our lives, always a step ahead and paving the path for us to learn, grow, and heal. And sometimes, He uses a specific word to guide us in our walk with Him.

Release has so many meanings for me. Letting go of control, surrendering to God’s will even when it differs from my plans, and saying goodbye to relationships that aren’t healthy anymore.

But if I could leave you with one way to release in 2026, it’s this:

Release your burdens and anxieties onto Jesus. Only He is strong enough to carry them and redeem your broken situations.

What does this look like in practice?

Falling to our knees in prayer, sharing vulnerably with God–both our doubts and reminders of who He is–and asking for His help. Filling our minds with scripture, worship songs, and the wisdom of those further along in their faith journey. Participating in godly community, where safe people can listen to your struggles and offer support.

We aren’t the heroes of our own stories–and thank goodness, because that would be such a burden to bear.

God is the hero. Only He can provide, protect, and heal. He longs for us to choose His love and, overflowing with the Spirit, spread that love to others.

Perhaps reflecting on 2025 brings you shame and discouragement. God is big enough to hold your regrets, broken dreams, and shattered faith.

Or maybe 2025 was a year of celebration and victory for you. Praise God for His faithfulness and record all His wondrous works. This will encourage you both now, and when harder times come.

God is faithful through it all.

As we step into the new year, I hope you experience God’s deep, unfailing love for you. Trust in Him, that no matter the unknowns, He will always care for you, His precious child.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Praise be to the Lord,
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.
⁷The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

⁸The Lord is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
⁹Save your people and bless your inheritance;
    be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Psalm 28:6-9 (NIV)

Our Hope is Found in God’s Unfailing Love

This Christmas, may you be filled with peace as we celebrate God’s everlasting love for us.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:5-10 (NIV)

God is light. God is love. And somehow, God chooses us every single day.

Though we cannot fully comprehend this reality, it remains true all the same. God’s character isn’t determined by our understanding of Him–for we are limited by human constraints. God will always be holy and worthy of our praise.

It is through recognizing our blind spots, our lack of understanding, and our utter brokenness that we discover our yearning for a Savior.

We cannot save ourselves, no matter how strong we become or how closely we follow the rules. But that is no slight against us, for out of His love, God created us to need Him.

God offers the perfect Savior–Jesus–with one simple request: submission to His love.

Submission to His love means laying down our own desires and asking what He wants from us, because His ways are better. It means pursuing a relationship with God, who is always there and will never abandon us. It even means acknowledging our imperfections while celebrating that we have the perfect Father in Heaven.

I won’t pretend that submission is easy. In fact, it requires great sacrifice and a transformed mind. But when we call out to God as we struggle to surrender our wills, He will give us the strength to keep going.

Christmas is about celebrating the everlasting love of our eternal Father. We gasp in wonder at the tremendous sacrifice God made by sending His only son, Jesus, to undergo the human experience and eventually die for our sins.

We are given new life through Jesus, who overcame death and will return for us someday. Though we will grieve the brokenness, injustice, and heartache of this world, our hope is anchored in the the only One who can redeem.

May you experience God’s abounding love for you and be made whole through Him. He will never forsake you, His beloved child, and He is calling you close to Him today.

Merry Christmas!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

1 John 3:1-3 (NIV)

Who is Guarding Your Heart?

Let’s release our hearts to God, the only one who can heal us.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

~ Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Last year, my heart felt tender. After experiencing betrayal and rejection from a once-close family member, it was as if my heart was on a chopping block and every person in my life was given a knife to use at their own discretion.

Some chose to lay down their knives and offer bandages instead. But others dug deeper into my open wounds with their sharp blades.

Over time, my heart grew tough in an effort to protect itself. If I’m made of metal, a knife can’t slice through and damage me any further.

It worked, in a sense. Insensitive words and painful situations didn’t have the same impact on me. I felt emboldened to go out into the world and decide who was worthy of my trust.

But guarding my heart on my own strength came at a great loss–to myself and to those around me.

After training my heart not to feel, I struggled to empathize with my friends when they shared their heartbreaks with me. I began to scrutinize every relationship, trying to judge whether or not these people mirrored any traits from my past offenders. I alone had to determine whether or not I was safe.

Living in a world surrounded by concrete walls isn’t really living at all.

It felt as if I had lost the best parts of myself, in addition to doubting my community. God calls us to love others, but how could I love–an extremely vulnerable action–when I couldn’t trust?

So then…was I failing God?

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Thankfully, God didn’t leave me in this empty, searching place. He drew me closer to Him through His Word and teaching, as well as the faithfulness of friends who didn’t give up on me.

Most importantly, He reminded me that I’m not in charge of guarding my own heart.

Yes, we must exercise discernment in our lives. But we must surrender our hearts to God so that He can protect us. He’s the only one who can provide us security and safety while allowing our hearts to remain moldable and open to love.

Surrender requires sacrificing our own safety net and battle plan. But we’re releasing ourselves to the only One in control, who has the greatest plan.

When we try to guard our own hearts, we end up hardening them instead. A hardened heart isn’t open to love or transformation, but God will still accept your hardened heart and turn it back to flesh.

God doesn’t promise a life free from suffering and pain, even when we surrender our hearts to Him. But He does promise peace through Jesus, who has already overcome the world.

When we rely on His grace and peace for our security, rooting ourselves in being children of God rather than allowing others to determine our worth, we will find our hearts’ desire.

And that, my friend, is the unconditional and unchanging love of Jesus.

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

John 16:33

If you are weary and broken, go to Him.

If you are empty and depleted, go to Him.

If you are rejoicing and hope-filled, go to Him.

If you don’t know who you are or what comes next, go to Him.

Jesus is waiting with open arms to receive you. He is worthy of our trust. ❤

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

My Season of Surrender

How might God be calling you to surrender today?

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Surrender. An uncomfortable word in a society that prides itself on independence, personal victory, and chasing dreams.

I won’t pretend that surrendering is easy. I struggle with it every day. It involves sacrificing everything–our desires, thoughts, relationships, lives–to God.

While He is worthy of our lives (after all, He created us), it can be difficult to trust Him when we can’t see Him in physical form. We aren’t often enlightened with a glimpse of our future. We must simply present each decision to the Lord and trust that His way is better than our own.

Spoiler alert: my “season” of surrender wasn’t a period of months or years. It was just the beginning of a lifetime of choosing God over myself.

My journey to surrender began with a choice rooted in faith. I quit my job–at a church. This not only meant a loss of income/stability, but I walked away from my church community without a clear path of where God wanted me next. I just knew He was calling me away, and I had to say yes to the first step before I could take the next step.

The first thing I did after my exit interview was load up the dishwasher while listening to Hillsong’s worship song, I Surrender. As I sung along, my broken melody wasn’t mere words. It was a promise to God that from this day forward, I would try to surrender.

God’s grace is sufficient, even when we fail to surrender and choose our own path. I am so thankful, since I have fallen short of surrender time and again.

Surrendering to God has led me to godly community, but not in the way I would’ve chosen.

At the start of my church search, if you had asked me to describe what I was looking for in a new church, I would’ve answered “young adult community.” But God led me to a church with very few young adults. He’s affirmed over and over that this is where He wants me to be–which has led to healing, growth, and a shift in perspective.

In my professional life, I planned to secure a full-time job and publish my books after college. However, I experienced a series of rejections, which led me to join another writing program while continuing in my part-time job instead. God showed me that He is going to provide in unorthodox ways, and I need to deepen my skills before I can publish the stories He’s placed on my heart.

God’s choice for us is often the humble choice. The choice with less earthly glory or praise. The path that follows this choice will involve detours and pitstops. And it always requires trust and reliance on God.

My journey began two years ago, and each day I’m given the same choice. Will I release my desire for control in order to embrace God’s plan for me?

How might God be calling you to surrender today?

His plan for you is far more beautiful than anything you could plan for yourself. Even if the road ahead seems bleary, trust that the end result will lead to a closer relationship with your heavenly Father, who loves you eternally.

To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

²All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
    but motives are weighed by the Lord.

³Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.

⁴The Lord works out everything to its proper end—
    even the wicked for a day of disaster.

⁵The Lord detests all the proud of heart.
    Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

⁶Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

⁷When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
    he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

⁸Better a little with righteousness
    than much gain with injustice.

⁹In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:1-9 (NIV)

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)

The God of Yesterday, Today, and Forever

Let’s explore how God’s loving nature is revealed in the oldest book of the Bible.

Did you know that Job is the oldest book of the Bible? Even though Genesis covers the beginning of the world, it wasn’t written until the time of Moses.

The story of Job is quite fascinating. He begins as a “blameless and upright” man who is pleasing in the eyes of God (Job 1:1). However, he undergoes a severe trial in which he loses his wealth, children, and health.

He cries out to God and God hears him.

Though Job is blind from seeing his faults, his friends are quick to point them out. They go back and forth, until at last Elihu speaks up.

He’s the youngest, yet wisest of Job’s friends. He doesn’t condemn Job the way the other men do. However, he reminds Job of their shared humanity and how that contrasts to the holiness of God.

My words come from an upright heart;
    my lips sincerely speak what I know.
⁴The Spirit of God has made me;
    the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
⁵Answer me then, if you can;
    stand up and argue your case before me.
⁶I am the same as you in God’s sight;
    I too am a piece of clay.
⁷No fear of me should alarm you,
    nor should my hand be heavy on you.

⁸“But you have said in my hearing—
    I heard the very words—
⁹‘I am pure, I have done no wrong;
    I am clean and free from sin.
¹⁰Yet God has found fault with me;
    he considers me his enemy.
¹¹He fastens my feet in shackles;
    he keeps close watch on all my paths.’

¹²“But I tell you, in this you are not right,
    for God is greater than any mortal.
¹³Why do you complain to him
    that he responds to no one’s words?
¹⁴For God does speak—now one way, now another—
    though no one perceives it.
¹⁵In a dream, in a vision of the night,
    when deep sleep falls on people
    as they slumber in their beds,
¹⁶he may speak in their ears
    and terrify them with warnings,
¹⁷to turn them from wrongdoing
    and keep them from pride,
¹⁸to preserve them from the pit,
    their lives from perishing by the sword.

Job 33:3-18 (NIV)

When you think about the God of the Old Testament, what words and images come to mind?

Often, this God is depicted as powerful, mighty, and even frightening. And then in the New Testament, Jesus comes along, the loving and merciful servant, who seems to contradict God the Father.

However, they are one in the same.

Consider the final verse from our previous reading from Job 32. The motive behind God speaking to His people–even “terrifying them with warnings”–is to preserve them from perishing.

God has always been motivated by His love for us.

And…God has always been holy and in control of everything.

While these two “sides of God” might be difficult to reconcile with each other, this fact should actually bring us peace.

When we place our trust in people, they will often fail us. When we place our trust in the world, it will let us down.

But God knows everything and will guide us in His love. He has no ulterior motives, and He’s the only one who is in control of our lives.

When we ask for His wisdom, He directs us to the best path possible. He knows which route will bring us closer to Him, and He will lead us there. That is the safest, most joyful place to be.

Because God is love and God is holy, we can fully trust Him.

It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,
    that the Almighty would pervert justice.
¹³Who appointed him over the earth?
    Who put him in charge of the whole world?
¹⁴If it were his intention
    and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
¹⁵all humanity would perish together
    and mankind would return to the dust.

Job 34:12-15 (NIV)

From the beginning, God’s goal has been to have a relationship with us–His precious creation. We’ve tried to screw that up by following our own will, believing that we (with our limited understanding) actually know best.

Even in the Old Testament, God was orchestrating His plan to free us from our sins so that we can have a eternal relationship with Him.

Yet if there is an angel at their side,
    a messenger, one out of a thousand,
    sent to tell them how to be upright,
²⁴and he is gracious to that person and says to God,
    ‘Spare them from going down to the pit;
    I have found a ransom for them—
²⁵let their flesh be renewed like a child’s;
    let them be restored as in the days of their youth’—
²⁶then that person can pray to God and find favor with him,
    they will see God’s face and shout for joy;
    he will restore them to full well-being.
²⁷And they will go to others and say,
    ‘I have sinned, I have perverted what is right,
    but I did not get what I deserved.
²⁸God has delivered me from going down to the pit,
    and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’

Job 33:23-28 (NIV)

The Holy Spirit is our advocate. When we pray, He intercedes for us and God grants us mercy.

God has spared us from the pit and has given us new life in Him. And no matter what happens, He will always desire a relationship with us.

Returning to Job’s story, God eventually spoke to him directly and reminded him that He is the creator of all. Job repented and received double the blessings, living his new life with a deeper reverence for God.

We are offered the same new life. Let’s celebrate that by worshipping God. Thank God for saving you and ask how He wants you to live out His calling today.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Shining as a Single Person

Do you feel stuck and discouraged as a single person? I hope these words encourage you ❤

If you’ve been among Christian circles, you’ve likely heard the term, “a season of singleness.” It’s an especially frustrating term for those of us who have been in a particularly long “season of singleness” because it suggests it’s a brief, miserable stage that must be endured before the reward of a spouse.

The truth is, singleness might last for many seasons for some of us. No matter if we’re single for another five years or fifty, are we meant to spend the whole time anxiously waiting for this season to end?

Don’t get me wrong–marriage is a beautiful thing, especially because it was created by God to symbolize His everlasting love for us (His bride, the church).

But what if both singleness and marriage can be beautiful and God-ordained?

Consider this rather strange interaction Jesus had with religious leaders in Matthew:

That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. ²⁴“Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. ²⁵Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. ²⁶The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. ²⁷Finally, the woman died. ²⁸Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”

²⁹Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. ³⁰At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. ³¹But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ³²‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”

³³When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

Matthew 22:23-33 (NIV)

The Sadducees were trying to test Jesus (as usual) but Jesus (as usual) responded with the unfiltered truth–and gave us a glimpse into Heaven.

God gives us both temporary and eternal blessings. While both reveal His deep love for us, temporary blessings end after we die, while eternal blessings last forever.

Temporary blessings can include a house, career, friends, and even a spouse. Those are amazing things that may be in line with God’s plan for us, yet they will all fade eventually.

But eternal blessings? Those all center on one incredible reality: walking with God forever.

Consider the passage that follows:

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

³⁷Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:34-40

It’s not wrong to desire a relationship. However, whether we’re single or not, our relationship is destined for turmoil if we love our partner more than we love God. When we seek to fill the void in our hearts with a romantic relationship rather than God, we are breaking the greatest commandment in the Bible.

And remember, all of God’s commandments were designed out of His love for us. He knew that we are flawed people who can’t fill every single need for each other. But God is perfect, holy, and eternal. He is the only one who can fill the empty space in our hearts with His unfailing love.

Does this mean we should just abandon the world and live in a montestary?

For most of us, no. (Only if God’s calling you to do so!)

When we are satisfied by our relationship with God, we will be able to extend His love to others with a pure heart–friends, neighbors, strangers, and perhaps even a spouse someday. God’s intention for us is to become more like Jesus, who demonstrated a healthy balance of time alone with God and service to others.

If you’re still dreading another weekend of third-wheeling or grabbing a table for one, consider this wisdom from Paul, (who was also single, by the way):

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

1 Corinthians 7:8, 17, 20 (NIV)

God’s plan for you is perfect. He knows whether you are meant to stay single or get married. Whatever happens, trust that He loves you and can satisfy your needs.

As a single person myself, there are times when the enemy’s lies overshadow God’s truth. Sometimes, I wonder:

Is there something wrong with me that makes me unattractive to others?

Has God forgotten about me?

When will my time come? Or has it already passed, and I missed it?

Will I always be alone?

Will I ever be chosen?

Friend, if you’ve struggled with the same fears, repeat after me:

I will not believe the enemy’s lies. God will take care of me. I am not destined to be alone–in fact, I’m not even alone now, because God is with me.

God chose you and me to be in relationship with Him.

Our time is now. This is the moment for which we’ve been created. We don’t have to sit on our hands and wait for someone to finally notice us.

God already sees us and He’s preparing us to do His will in whatever situation we find ourselves.

Let’s arise and spread God’s love, after first receiving His love for us.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

Isaiah 60:1 (NIV)

God Cares for You

Last weekend when my plans fell through, God reminded me of His perfect plan. I hope my story encourages you today!

After a week riddled with disappointments and frustrations, I wanted nothing more than to enjoy our family road trip in peace.

The day started off as planned. We arrived at the ferry terminal just as the golden rays of sunrise flickered over the rippling ocean waves. During our first several hours on the island, we ate delicious pastries, caught stunning views of the mountains, and even coerced our little dog into going on a hike.

There were little hiccups along the way that threatened my joy, but I held fast to my resolve, even jotting down in my journal that “God’s plan is so much greater than mine.”

The enemy saw that as a challenge.

In the mid-afternoon, we decided we wanted to catch an earlier ferry since the one we had reserved would bring us home after midnight. We could even watch the sunset at a beach on the way home.

My favorite part of every trip is the sunset. It reminds me of God’s beauty and creativity, filling me with His presence and hope.

And boy, did I need some hope after the week I had.

We sat in line for the ferry for almost an hour before cars started their engines. Inch by inch, car by car, I prayed that we’d make it.

But then the cars started circling back. Our line never even got to move.

And the next ferry wasn’t due to arrive for another three hours.

The worst part was, we couldn’t leave the line now that we were already in it. So much for exploring the island, much less seeing the sunset.

I was devastated–much more so than what was probably warranted for the situation. My joy was hinged on this one moment with God, and now even that seemed taken away from me.

After shedding a few tears in the sweltering car, I trekked down to the docks by the terminal. There were many groups of fellow passengers stuck in the same boat. Or rather, wishing we were all on a boat.

Though this should’ve brought some consolation, I was filled with bitterness. Here I was, alone and miserable, while they were laughing and enjoying life together.

As the clock ticked and the ferry was nowhere in sight, my last smidgen of hope that I’d even see a glimpse of the sunset vanished. There were trees blocking my view on either side of the docks.

In truth, I was upset with God. I prayed for weeks that this trip would be meaningful, especially since I haven’t been able to travel in so long. This was supposed to be the highlight of summer, but instead it felt like the climax of a disappointing week.

But God kept nudging my heart. Be patient. Keep waiting. I’m still here.

The sun fully disappeared below the skyline by the time we made it on the ferry. Still, I snatched my camera bag and rushed to the upper deck just in case.

And sure enough, God was there.

In a brilliant display of deep oranges and blues, twilight fell upon the ocean as our ferry chugged away from shore. It was so incredibly beautiful, it took my breath away.

It wasn’t the sunset, but it was even more special. And somehow, it lasted for an entire hour–our whole ferry ride back–becoming even more magnificent with each passing minute. (Enjoy my snapshot of this view in the featured image!)

Many of my insecurities are rooted in the fear of missing out. I’ve often struggled with feeling like I’m not where I want to be at this stage of my life.

But God was reminding me, with a simple yet elegant night sky, that He cares for me. His plan is better than mine because He thinks in eternal terms, while I am stuck with my limited understanding.

And His perfect plan is worth waiting for.

So how can we wait without becoming idle or restless?

By praying that God prepares us for what’s to come. We are already living out His will for us, even on the days that feel mundane. As we grow in reliance on God, we will become more and more like Jesus, which is the ultimate goal of God’s plan.

It’s easy to forget who God is, and thus doubt that He knows what He’s doing. But God is perfect in every way, which means we can trust Him. He created us and loves us more than we’ll ever be able to comprehend.

My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them.

Jeremiah 24:6 (NIV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Entering New Life with Scars

What if the painful moments in life reveal Jesus in your testimony?

Last weekend, I had the privilege of photographing a family friend’s wedding. Their ceremony was beautiful, with a simple elegance to it. This couple’s story is unique because both the bride and groom have gone through tremendous hardship before finding each other later in life.

They symbolized their new life by planting a tree during the ceremony, surrounded by their kids, before being prayed over. Through the way they authentically shared the painful road they took to the alter, their wedding wasn’t just about their relationship, but how God brought beauty from brokenness.

Words cannot describe the joy and delight that filled the sanctuary when the bride and groom kissed. New life felt tangible as hope hung in the air.

After witnessing this beautiful day, God has gently reminded me that our testimonies of His faithfulness are most meaningful and transformative when we are honest about the pain and heartbreak as well as the joys and victories.

Admitting that we’ve experienced loneliness, depression, or rejection doesn’t deny God’s holiness or love. Rather, it helps us recognize our need for Him.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

I love this verse because it provides such a joyful visual of what it’s like to accept Jesus into our lives. We are truly a new creation. God has saved us from death and brought us new life.

We are offered new life because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. He had to overcome death in order to give us the gift of life.

But consider how Jesus appears to His disciples after raising from the dead:

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

John 20:26-28 (NIV)

Even though Jesus was living in a resurrected body, He still had scars from His time on the cross. He didn’t deny the sacrifice it took to grant us life with Him. In fact, these scars were what helped Thomas identify Him as Jesus.

The scars remind us of the pain Jesus was willing to endure on our behalf because of His great love for us. Meanwhile, our scars reveal our weakness and need for a Savior.

The scars in our testimonies may be the moment that Jesus is revealed. The realization that we can’t save ourselves, but we are still given new life because we belong to the God who saves.

No matter what you have gone through, God can redeem your story and bless others by it. Don’t be afraid to share your testimony with others, but as you do so, ask God which pieces He wants you to tell. And in all things, glorify God as you recall His great love for you.

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV)