However, as I began to consider his observation, a deeper truth surfaced. I felt afraid of what might come to my heart and mind from years of unprocessed grief and trauma. The disdain for silence wasn’t the only place this showed up; it also manifested through an endless need to keep a full schedule, all in the name of serving Jesus.

I began to make small changes, such as a quiet car ride or Bible study without worship music. And now, as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, emails, and other online distractions vie for my attention, I check in with myself and take breaks. With three children and a home to manage, I prayerfully consider commitments so I don’t overextend myself.

Even as I write this devotion, I have quiet piano worship music playing, so some habits die hard. Just last week, I sat down to make a list of my commitments and ask the Lord, “What needs to stay? What needs to go?” There is no arrival at perfection in the pursuit of sitting with God. There is only progress and a way forward with Him. Filling the silence in our lives with constant white noise only stifles our ability to hear from the Holy Spirit, yet isn’t this what we most yearn for?

The psalmist wrote in Psalm 62:1, “I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” The ESV states it this way: “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.”

Would I have admitted years ago that I needed to simply sit and be with the Lord? No. But God, in His tenderness, helped me to see how I am prone to quench the Spirit (1Thessalonians 5:19). Oftentimes, when in distress, we will run away from the root issue. The psalmist shows us how to instead run to the Father—to pour out our hearts before Him and see Him as our true refuge and strength (Psalm 62:8).

So, friend, do you have an unmet need for silence with Him? A time in which you need to pour out your heart before Him? You won’t regret it. The most beautiful paradox in the Christian life is that while Jesus satisfies, there is always a deep longing for more of Him. Sit in silence with Him, and let Him speak to you. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you hear.

After graduating from college, I moved to Chihuahua, Mexico, certain I was the next Mother Teresa, loving the vulnerable. Where did the Lord choose to humble my heart? In a classroom full of missionary children who knew the Bible better than me. When I left the classroom after six years of teaching, I transitioned to vocational ministry. Where did the Lord lead me? To become a ministry leader? No, I became the executive administrative assistant at our church—a hidden role yet vital to those leading on the frontlines. After becoming a mother, first through foster care and then through biology, the Lord graciously allowed me to become a stay-at-home mom. For years, however, I sought other places of service outside of motherhood—all good things yet not always out of my obedience to Him.

Paul and Barnabas were two key players in the New Testament church. These men were respected and loved yet persecuted because their life’s mission was to exalt the name of Jesus, no matter the cost. Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” If anyone had the right to boast about his accomplishments, it was Paul. His Hebrew pedigree was lengthy. Yet he counted it all as a loss in comparison to life with Christ (Philippians 3:8–10). Barnabas, known as the “son of encouragement,” also loved Jesus and was Paul’s ministry partner (Acts 4:36).

Neither of these men boasted in their own strength. They did everything through the power of the Holy Spirit. Before Barnabas and Paul went to the mission field, they fasted, prayed, and received prayer from other believers in their community (Acts 13:3). God sent them to share the good news with the Jews and then the Gentiles. Their equipping came from Christ alone.

Recently, the Lord led our family to begin a homeschooling journey, a choice I said I would never make. Yes, I have a teaching degree. But what qualifies me for the work God has called me to is not my degree. It is Christ within me. I wanted to do big things for God. To me, big things meant public work—noticed and applauded by others. But the work of Christ is often hidden and unseen. What matters most is not what we do for Him but rather what we do with Him.

Friend, a mission field is not always tucked away in a remote village. Your mission field is the daily ground on which you walk—your home, your workplace, your neighborhood. It is here where God wants to meet you, work through you, and speak to you. Will you join Him?

Christ’s first coming brought hope and joy into a world that waited for and anticipated the arrival of the Messiah. First Thessalonians 4:16–17 tells us Jesus will come again: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

As adults, the weight of this season feels heavy—we notice who’s missing at the table and the unfulfilled longings we’ve carried from year to year. When faced with this grief, we have a choice. We can sit in bitterness because of our grief. Or we can ask for our Savior to remind us that the hope we have in Him remains real in our hearts in the middle of grief. The new year invites us to consider Christ in a new light. For when Christmas passes, we can shift our thinking from finding the perfect gift or surviving the busyness to how He wants to continue shaping us in the year ahead.

When we consider Christmas in light of the second advent, it changes everything. For when we consider Christmas for the miracle of hope it brings to our hearts and homes, we look to Jesus to fulfill and renew us. And unlike the perfectly chosen gift under the tree, He can fulfill and renew us.

Today, on the first day of the year, we may carry with us the grief of unrealized hopes from last year. Perhaps the Christmas season was exhausting. It doesn’t have to stay that way, friend. We can walk into this new year with hope because Jesus is coming soon. The good news is that not only did Christ come to save us from our sins but that He is coming again to make all things new on the day when He makes His home with us forever. Until that day, may “the grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21).

In Nehemiah 9, the Israelites took the time to reflect on their relationship with God. They fasted and confessed their sins, acknowledging the mistakes they made and the faithfulness of the God who chose to stay with them through grace upon grace upon grace. Much like a teenager desperate to spread her wings, the Israelites’ journey was one of desiring independence yet longing for security and safety. As the Israelites recognized the futility of their efforts to detach themselves from God, they also saw His kindness that had touched each generation.

My mom loves to say, “Hindsight is 20/20,” meaning that when we look back on our lives with the gift of perspective, we have a much clearer picture of reality than when we are in the midst of it. The Israelites are known for their forgetfulness and penchant for rebellion. As we sit here reading their story several thousand years later, it can be tempting to judge their fickleness or faithlessness. But when we reflect on our experiences with honesty, we each have seasons or situations in which we ignored God’s best for our lives because we thought we knew better. How many times have you said “No, thank you” to God’s plans for our lives because we didn’t want to surrender?

Nehemiah 10 tells us a story of a repentant people. A people tired of trying so hard with nothing to show for it. A people desperate for God’s blessing. A people longing to see His face and walk with Him. In Zechariah 10:12, the Lord says, “I will strengthen them in the LORD, and they will march in his name.” When we turn from our striving and learn to surrender to His plans, the Lord strengthens us. We don’t have to try to figure everything out on our own, hoping God will be proud of us for solving our problems. No, instead we can trust that the God of the universe knows our needs and the desires of our hearts and that He is working all things together for our good. When we look back at our lives and see the times when we turned away from Him, we can thank Him for His protection and live our lives from the posture of a grateful heart, ready for whatever He has in store for us.

In Acts 6, Stephen, along with six other men, was given the task of caring for widows. We do not see him asking for an impressive title or waiting for an official “vocational ministry” role—he simply walked with Jesus and obeyed Him. The religious leaders were sure of their right standing with God, and their hearts were hard toward any mention of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. They believed they were without fault and had no need for a Savior. 

But when Stephen stood before the religious leaders, he held fast to one truth: Christ crucified and raised for the redemption of the world. I think we can become paralyzed as we search for the seemingly right words to say to our unbelieving friends, family members, or neighbors. We wonder if we can speak with eloquence or if we have all the answers. Stephen didn’t attempt to convince anyone with lofty words or appease others. Instead, he simply taught the truth. His sole desire was to honor Jesus with his life.

And when Stephen stood before the people, his face shone like that of an angel. A true relationship with God changes us from the inside out. Our lives should be counter cultural, shining a light in the darkness and bringing glory to the only One worthy of all praise and adoration.  

Stephen’s unwavering commitment to Christ cost him his life. If we are going to walk with Christ, it will cost us something too. In response to Stephen’s story, I want to consider how pride, comfort, or security affect how I live out my faith. Let’s take a note from Stephen and look to Christ. He will not fail us, friends. 

When her sister died from an illness, a friend rushed to find Corrie so that she could bid her farewell. However, when Corrie saw her sister, she was pleasantly surprised to see her looking as bright and beautiful as she had before they entered the concentration camp. Despite the lack of life in her body, there was a serene smile on her face, and she knew her sister was in the presence of Jesus. Corrie’s heart was sorrowful due to the loss of her sister, but she also rejoiced in knowing that she was with her sweet Savior. 

As we consider the resurrection of Jesus, we must remember—this is the crux of our entire faith. Yes, the virgin birth of Jesus is miraculous. His life and death proved the love of His Heavenly Father for us. But foremost, His resurrection proved He was God. Everything He told the disciples and all who followed Him proved true when He walked out of the grave with a new body. 

If the resurrection was not real, Corrie and her family would not have endured the persecution they did to bring hope to the Jews and their prison mates. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:19, “If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.” Our entire lives, when surrendered to Christ, must be built on the solid foundation of the empty tomb and our resurrected Savior. There is no other way, for He Himself is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).

The trials and heartaches of this world are enough to leave us feeling hopeless. But the resurrection of Jesus Christ infuses us with the hope of eternal life and reminds us nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37).

Where do you find yourself today, friend? Perhaps you feel like Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” (John 11:21) Maybe there are situations in your life where you can’t see God. Or perhaps you are confident in God’s presence in your life and relate to Mary Magdalene after she saw her risen Savior and declared, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18). 

Friend, the resurrected King Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, interceding for you (Romans 8:34). No matter what you face today, God has already conquered it, and He has a plan for you that is for your good and His glory. 

If I’m being honest, I can often relate to the Pharisees. The Pharisees knew the law—all 613 of its commands. They memorized it and monitored everyone else’s behavior with it. When Jesus came, He told the Pharisees that He would fulfill this law they claimed to love. However, this promise from our Lord and Savior was not a comfort to them but rather a threat. 

I relate to the Pharisees because I like the illusion of control. It makes me feel good when the floors are swept and the clutter is cleared away. It makes me feel even better when my children behave, my husband is gracious, and my friends are considerate. Unfortunately, this false sense of calm is fleeting because circumstances always change. 

In Matthew 5:20, Jesus says, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” Those listening in the crowd would have been perplexed, knowing the Pharisees appeared to be the most righteous people. However, many Pharisees were known to value the letter of the law over a covenant relationship with God. 

Jesus summed up all 613 laws into two commands: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands” (Matthew 22:37–40). Jesus did not come to help us complete a checklist to gain access to Him. Instead, Jesus came in the form of a lowly babe and gentle Savior to fulfill the Law and help us do two simple things: love God and love others. 

Is it really that simple? Love God and love others? Yes, friend, it is. Before Jesus came, people relied on the law and prophets to tell them the what and how of dealing with sin when in relationship with God. Jesus’s arrival brought a new covenant based on grace and faith alone because He alone fulfilled the law completely. Sometimes we don’t know what to do with the simplicity of grace. It seems easier to find peace in the illusory facade of control, but Jesus wants our hearts. When we surrender to His ways, we discover the joy of walking with Him exceeds the false control we thought we had. This is how we experience true peace—by trusting the Prince of Peace Himself. 

One of the greatest lessons I learned was not in the classroom but rather through walking alongside my friend, Barb. A native of the Pacific Northwest, Barb has called Chihuahua home for over thirty years, and I had the privilege of watching her make room for the poor by extending the love of Christ in simple yet profound ways. I distinctly remember the first time I visited her home, which was on a dirt road about twenty minutes outside of the city. She welcomed me and made me feel at home. But she didn’t just do that for me, her friend. She did that for everyone. 

Rarely did I spend time at Barb’s house without a neighbor stopping by or hearing a story about someone she was praying for or sharing the gospel with. After busy days of teaching kindergarten, she hosted a weekly backyard Bible club for children and a Bible study group for the mothers. She didn’t allow her lack of Spanish fluency to deter her but rather relied on the Holy Spirit to be the means of connection, knowing He would communicate the love in her heart to her neighbors and friends. While many peers in her season of life choose to pursue retirement—she was in her sixties, after all—Barb relentlessly marched forward, determined to demonstrate kindness and hospitality.

Deuteronomy 15:11 says, “For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘Open your hand willingly to your poor and needy brother in your land.’ ” When I reflect on Barb’s example, I see that loving the poor need not be extravagant or extreme. I simply need to be willing to go where others may not go, do what others may not do, and see the people others may not to see.

Friend, as you consider today’s Scripture, remember this: God doesn’t ask us to do things bigger and better for Him. He simply asks us to walk with Him. We need not overcomplicate a life of love. Barb didn’t, and I will forever be grateful for the lessons learned watching her live a life with open hands, ready to serve and love those in need. 

Many peers told me they wrote my name down for the “Friendliest Girl,” and I knew I would win. Much to my dismay, I sat through the assembly and never heard my name called. I believed this award would prove I was “somebody,” and when I didn’t receive it, the disappointment was crushing. Upon returning to my English class, I asked the teacher, who calculated the votes, how close it was to my loss of the “Friendliest” award. She said, “Oh, you were close. You were only one vote away.” I internally kicked myself, wishing I had voted for myself instead of trying to be humble. As I walked through the front door after school, I burst into tears, sobbing about how my name wasn’t called at the assembly. My mom had no idea what I was talking about but attempted to console me and help me look to the eternal rather than the temporal. 

Many of us struggle with the temptation to boast about our accomplishments. We believe if we put in the hard work to reach a goal, we can celebrate because of our efforts. We often forget to thank God for His grace and favor.

God turns everything upside down within His kingdom. The gospel is not a “Who’s Who” contest. The gospel is about recognizing that apart from Christ, we have nothing of eternal value to bring to the table. 

The stakes are higher than recognition at a high school assembly now, aren’t they?

As adults, we may be tempted to boast about a promotion at work, a sought-after relationship status, or belonging to a certain group.

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to remind them that everything they have is grace. When we consider any success or earthly blessing, we too must consider it in light of the grace of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” Consider all the gifts and abilities you have from God. Then compare them to His awe, majesty, and holy power. Those gifts we like to boast in seem like nothing compared to the beauty and wonder of a holy God. God gives us gifts to point others to Him and help us grow in our dependence upon His Holy Spirit. 

Sister, when you’re tempted to boast about all you are able to do, lift your eyes and give thanks to God, praising Him for His gift of grace in your life. He’s the only One worthy of praise.

First, the mission organization I was working with preferred teachers with at least two to three years of experience. I had just graduated from college. And while I was approved as a missionary just three months prior to moving to the field and needed to raise support for my salary, usually missionaries take several months or even a year to do so. Finally, though I studied Spanish through high school and college, I quickly found out how much I had to learn when immersed in a second language and culture. 

The call of God on each of our lives is to know Him and make Him known. Oftentimes, this call means He will ask us to do what seems impossible. When faced with the impossible, the temptation is to do one of two things: run away in fear or muster up our strength to do it on our own as a means of proving something to the Lord. I didn’t know how much I had to learn when I moved to Mexico. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize I was in over my head. After preparing for this move for several months and without any other viable options, I couldn’t run away. But the temptation to do it all in my own strength? That was a daily fight. 

The gift of grace given to us by our Savior shows us that He is mightier than the impossible acts before us. God doesn’t ask us to do the impossible and then leave us alone. He calls us to the impossible and then empowers us through His Spirit as we partner with Him. 

God, in His rich and bountiful grace, provided for each one of my impossible tasks. He gave me mentor teachers to help me learn and grow. Each month I had just enough to pay my bills, eat well, purchase clothing, and save money for trips home. My roommate was Mexican-American and welcomed me into her friend group, immersing me in Mexican culture and helping me attain the skills I needed to learn fluent Spanish. 

So often we want to know every detail of the plan before us. But to walk in faith is to acknowledge that we don’t know it all and surrender to the One who does. When we do, He equips us to fulfill the tasks He entrusts us with in order to bring glory to His name, the only One worthy of praise. Whatever tasks He lays before us are nothing short of anything He hasn’t already done. His victory over death on the cross grants us victory in our everyday life, no matter how impossible the task may seem.