Between the Blogs

Personal Epiphany: Often it’s the quiet, unassuming moments that redefine our lives.

Between the Blogs

Personal Epiphany: God often uses the smallest acts of kindness to change the world.

Between the Blogs

Personal Commitment: Sometimes, simple is better; so this week I’m committing to listening to the whispers of the Holy Spirit nudging me to listen a little harder, to be a little kinder, to love a little deeper—to daily reflect the character of God.

Small Acts (Big Outcome)

Along the way I’ve discovered that it is often small, seemingly unimportant acts that impact my life the most. There are, of course, big moments that have shaped my life (moving out of my parent’s house, my first job, graduating college, my wedding day, etc.); however, there are also many small, unassuming moments that have inexorably changed the course of my life. When I look back at the accumulation of these small acts, I clearly see how they have helped shape my character—simple acts of love that revealed the face of God.  

This realization has brought new meaning to my life. In the past, I erroneously believed I needed to do something big, something powerful, something grandiose in order to impact people’s lives, but God has recently reminded me that more often He uses small, seemingly unimportant acts to change people’s hearts—acts that for just one shining moment reveal God’s heart of love for His children.

So join me as I lay aside my prideful dreams of personal glory and instead allow God’s love to work through me in His way and in His time.

Final Thought: It isn’t always the big outlandish gestures that bring people to God, but God often uses our simple acts of love to reveal His character.

Between the Blogs

Personal Epiphany: Time spent with friends is priceless.

Between the Blogs

Personal Commitment: Making connections is not about me, but it is about truly listening to the wants and needs of those around me. So, I am recommitting myself to truly listening to those around me, listening to the words they say with their mouth and the words they say with their heart—allowing God to work through me to meet the needs of all I come in contact with.

My Loving Mission (Revealing God’s Love)

Along the way I’ve discovered that love is my mission. When Christ lived out this simple concept, He transformed the world. His mission of revealing to the universe the character of God was played out in His love for His Father and His love for His people.

While searching the Scriptures, I’ve discovered God’s character of love throughout the Old and New Testaments. When asked which was the greatest of the Commandments, Christ revealed the very essence of God: “He said, ‘ “Love the Lord your God with everything you’ve got: your heart, your soul, your mind—everything!” This is the first and most important commandment. And the second commandment goes hand-in-hand with the first: “Love others every bit as much as you love yourself.” These two commandments are inseparable. They are the bedrock that all the other commandments and teachings stand on.’ ” ~Matthew 22:37-40 (Randy Reed Paraphrased Version)

I’ve found that it’s one thing to quote texts and say God is love, but it’s a wholly different experience to dig deep, to discover, and to live out this truth in my own life.

It’s kind of funny to discover that after all my seeking, my deep soul searching, my anguish of spirit, that the answer is so simple, so obvious, so available; but there it is—the meaning of life: To reveal God’s love to the world—nothing more grandiose, nothing more glamorous; instead it’s a simple, beautiful, profound message.

So join me as I take the words of Christ seriously and choose to simply love—both Him and my fellow man.

Final Thought: But the question remains: If love is the answer, how do I reveal the love of God to the world? The answer is equally simple: The Bible is God’s love letter to us, a flawless guide on how to love.

Between the Blogs

Personal Epiphany: If our idea of love does not align with the character of God, then we must redefine our definition of love.

Between the Blogs

Personal Commitment: The things that seem the simplest can often be the most difficult (and the most rewarding). After much searching, I’ve discovered that my mission is to follow in the footsteps of Christ—to love with reckless abandon: Simple, powerful, and only possible when I maintain a close, personal relationship with God. So I am committed to allowing the unfailing love of God to live in and through me every day of my life.

Discovering My Mission (Finding Love)

Along the way I’ve discovered that when I dig deep, when I scrap away all the useless clutter in my life, when I seek those things that truly matter, those things that last, those things that I want to be remembered for, those things that make life worth living, it isn’t what I own, it isn’t my outward beauty, it isn’t my accomplishments, it isn’t how wise I am, or even how many people I lead to God—what really matters is love. The thing that truly matters when I strip away all the empty window dressings, the thing that is important in the end, is how I loved my fellow man.

This is such a simple yet profound realization, a realization that has begun to transform my thinking, bringing me closer to the truth about God, the truth about Who He is, and the truth about who He created me to be.

You see, for several years now I’ve been on a great quest to find my mission, to discover my place in this world, to be led to the one thing that God created me to do; but it’s only recently that I have discovered that thing. God created me to love, and if I can do that one thing well, everything else become superfluous.

So join me as I allow God to transform my heart, allowing His love to shine through my every action.

Final Thought: It really is all about love.

Between the Blogs

Personal Epiphany: The best study I can undertake is the study of the life of Christ.

Between the Blogs

Personal Commitment: Christ said: “You’ve been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don’t understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, ‘Where is the Father?’ ” John 14:9 (MSG). God’s Son made it clear that the best way to know God was to know Him; so I am committed to spending time getting to know Him through daily reading His Word and by spending time in prayer. I’ve come to realize that I cannot be a true follower of Christ unless I have a close, personal, life-changing relationship with Him, unless I spend quality time daily getting to know Him as my Lord and Savior and Friend.