Look How Far You’ve Come

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Philippians 1:6 — I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Summer always ends in a flash.

Watermelon, late-night swim parties, and sleeping in disappeared the moment Mom pulled out the camera and asked me to stand by the front door for a picture.

As a kid, I never understood why those back-to-school pictures mattered.

I smiled, waited for it to be over, and wondered what there was to celebrate.

It wasn’t until college that I finally understood.

My parents had spent years doing the quiet, often unnoticed work of raising me. They corrected me, encouraged me, and loved me through every phase.

Those pictures weren’t really for me.

They were for them.

They marked another year of watching God faithfully shape their child.

And now, when I look at those old snapshots, I realize something else.

While I was busy growing up, God was patiently working on me.

Through every awkward phase, every hard season, every bad attitude, and every ordinary day, He never stopped shaping me into who He created me to be.

The parents and teachers who endured sleepy mornings, teenage moods, and all the growing pains were some of the people He faithfully used along the way.

As children, the end of summer felt like bad news.

But looking back, I can see that every season had a purpose.

The difficult ones grew perseverance.

The joyful ones revealed God’s goodness.

And none of them were wasted.

That’s the promise of Philippians 1:6.

The God who begins the work is the God who finishes it.

He’s still working in the seasons you don’t understand.

He’s still working when you don’t see progress.

He’s still working when you look at your life and wonder, “Am I ever going to get there?”

Maybe that’s why those old school pictures mean so much now.

They’re little reminders that while life kept moving, God never stopped working.

So before you rush into whatever season comes next, take a moment to look back.

Remember where you started.

Remember what God has brought you through.

Remember the people He used along the way.

You may discover that the God who has carried you this far is still faithfully finishing the beautiful work He began.

And I’ve got pictures to prove it.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When you look back over the last few years, where can you see evidence that God has been working in your life?
  • What season of your life felt difficult at the time but now looks different in hindsight?
  • Who has God used to help shape you into the person you are today?
  • Is there an area of your life where you’ve become discouraged because you don’t see much progress? How does Philippians 1:6 speak to that?
  • What would change if you truly believed that God isn’t finished with you yet?
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The Seeds You Never See

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Matthew 13:31-32 — Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” 

I was scrolling Instagram the other day when a youth group friend posted an old photo of us from middle school.

I laughed at the awkward hairstyles and clothes, but then I stopped looking at the fashion and started looking at the faces.

Most of us have grown up and drifted apart.

Yet for a moment, I was right back in those church hallways where Wednesday nights felt ordinary and life felt simple.

We didn’t know we were making memories back then.

We just showed up to play games, talk with friends, and learn about Jesus.

Looking back, I realize God is still in the business of planting mustard seeds.

Those evenings were seeds that felt too ordinary to notice.

But that’s exactly how the Kingdom works.

It starts small.

A seed slips into the soil, and for a while, nobody sees anything happening. Nobody knows what it’s becoming.

The people who shaped me most weren’t on a stage.

They were the ones planting those tiny seeds.

Volunteers. Youth leaders. Faithful friends who simply kept showing up and pointing us gently toward Jesus.

I doubt they thought they were doing anything extraordinary. They probably just thought they were serving at church.

But decades later, I can see that those little seeds grew roots.

And their fingerprints are still all over my life.

That’s the beautiful thing about faithfulness: you may never know what God is growing through your obedience.

Somewhere tonight, someone is doing that for the next generation.

Maybe it’s you.

Maybe it feels like just another youth group night. Another conversation. Another game. Another Bible study. Another Wednesday when you’re tired but you show up anyway.

Don’t underestimate that seed.

Because what feels small in your hands may become something much bigger in God’s hands.

Years from now, someone may look back at an old photo and remember the person who showed up.

The person who cared.

The person who pointed them toward Jesus.

And they’ll thank God for the seed you planted.

So keep showing up.

Keep loving.

Keep planting.

You may not see the tree yet, but God sees what the seed can become.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Who planted a small “mustard seed” of faith in your life that eventually made a big difference?
  • Is there something you’re doing right now that feels ordinary or insignificant? How might God be using it?
  • Where might God be asking you to simply show up and be faithful?
  • What generation or group of people has God placed in front of you to encourage or point toward Jesus?
  • How does remembering that God controls the growth change the way you think about your role in planting seeds?
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You’re Not Your To-Do List

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1 John 3:1 — See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him.

Have you ever had one of those days where you’re doing everything you can… and still wonder if you’re doing enough?

Maybe it’s getting the kids out the door, remembering the snack for the class party, answering texts, and keeping up with your calendar.

I recently had a conversation with a friend who has younger children, and she shared how much life had been feeling like that lately.

And I understood.

My own kids are in their 30s now, but I still remember those frantic feelings.

Somewhere between the grocery store and the carpool lane, it can become easy to forget who we really are.

That’s why I love Ben Fuller’s song “Who I Am.”

It reminds me of a truth we all need to hear sometimes: our value isn’t found in how much we accomplish.

The Bible takes that truth even deeper.

First John 3:1 says, “See how very much our Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are his!”

Think about that.

God doesn’t call us His children because we’ve accomplished enough.

We don’t earn that title by checking every box, getting everything right, or holding our lives together.

It’s a relationship we receive.

And that changes everything.

Because when I know who I am to God, I don’t have to prove who I am to everyone else.

So today, if you feel overwhelmed or like you’re falling behind, remember this:

You are more than your to-do list.

You’re more than your mistakes.

You’re more than the things you accomplish.

You are a child of God, deeply loved by the God of the universe.

So take a moment to listen to “Who I Am” today and let that truth sink in.

Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is stop striving long enough to remember who we are to Him.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When do you most feel pressure to prove that you’re “doing enough”?
  • What does it mean to you that God calls you His child?
  • How might your choices change if you truly believed your worth isn’t based on what you accomplish?
  • What is one thing you need to stop striving for today?
  • When you feel overwhelmed, what truth about who you are in Christ do you need to remember?

 

LYRICS

I stand in front the mirror, But I don’t like who’s looking back at me
Wish I could see things clearer, like who I’m supposed to be
In every trial, lift me higher
Through the fire, hold me tighter
Remind me again, I was made for more

Who I am in the eyes of the Father, Who I am His love set free
Who I was I left at the altar, I am Yours Lord, I believe

It’s who I am – I’m a child of the most-high God and the most-high God’s for me
It’s who I am – I’m a child of the most-high God and the most-high God’s for me

Everything has been changing, You haven’t left a stone unturned
Anything I’ve been facing, I’ll keep standing on Your word
In the water, take me under
Fill my lungs to, to speak Your wonder
You brought me of the darkness, I was made for more

Who I am in the eyes of the father, Who I am His love set free
Who I was I left at the altar, I am Yours Lord I believe

It’s who I am – I’m a child of the most-high God and the most-high God’s for me
It’s who I am – I’m a child of the most-high God and the most-high God’s for me

You gave up everything, for me to have everything
For all of eternity, a song in my lungs to sing

I’m a child of the most-high God and the most-high God’s for me
I’m a child of the most-high God and the most-high God’s for me

Songwriters: Ben Fuller, David Spencer, Krystal Polychronis

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Letting Our Legacy be His Story

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Philippians 1:20 — For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.

Now picture this.

There’s a group of kids standing around a hole in the ground right outside the entrance to the school.

The year is 1985.

We all dropped some treasures in—some memories, things that felt important at the time—and then we covered it up with dirt and walked away.

Nobody knew what the world would look like when it was opened again.

Well, you see, that was my middle school graduating class.

They finally opened that time capsule last year, and can I just tell you?

It was wild.

Looking at those old items felt like opening a message from another planet. There were pictures of hairstyles, toys, handwritten notes, and even a math book.

They were all things we thought would matter forever.

And for a few moments, I felt like I met the kid version of myself again.

Think about that.

Years after you’re gone, what would you want people to know about you?

I don’t think it’s what phone you carried or what trends you followed. Definitely not how many followers you had.

Because someday, every one of us leaves behind a time capsule of sorts.

It’s not buried in a stainless-steel container.

It’s buried in the lives of the people we’ve loved.

And when this life is over, I don’t just want people to remember me.

I want them to remember the Jesus they saw through me.

That’s what makes Paul’s words in Philippians so powerful. He says he wants his life to bring honor to Christ—to live boldly for Him, no matter what comes.

That’s the kind of legacy I want.

Because what endures isn’t what we possessed. It’s the love of Christ that found its way into someone else’s life because we were here.

You see, the greatest legacy isn’t being remembered.

It’s making Christ unforgettable.

So maybe the better question isn’t, “What are we leaving behind?”

It’s this:

Is the way I’m living today telling a story about Jesus that’s worth carrying into tomorrow?

Because long after our names are forgotten, the impact of Christ’s love can keep living in the people we touched.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • If someone opened your “life time capsule” today, what would your life reveal about you?
  • What does it mean to you to live boldly for Christ?
  • Who has helped make Jesus more real to you through the way they lived?
  • What part of your life currently brings the most honor to Christ?
  • What is one thing you could do today that might leave a lasting spiritual impact on someone else?
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Claimed by the Creator

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Isaiah 43:1 — But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.”

I saw something the other day that took me straight back to being a kid in grade school. Someone was talking about decorating their kids’ textbook covers.

And I suddenly remembered, “Hey, wait a minute… I had book covers too.”

Now, this person was talking about having one of those pre-made book covers and kind of bedazzling it. But for me, it was brown paper grocery bags.

You’d cut them open. Fold them just right. And somehow, that plain brown paper turned into a masterpiece because you made it yours.

If it was my history book, I’d write in bubble letters, put stickers and doodles all over it, and if I was really proud of it, I’d write my name in big letters across the front.

Looking back, those covers never really lasted the whole year. Truth be told, they probably lasted three weeks before the corners got torn and the tape started peeling.

But for a little while, that book felt like it belonged just to me because it carried my name.

And it made me think about something else…

How God does something similar with our lives.

We show up a little torn and a little imperfect. Well, who are we kidding? A lot imperfect. We carry stories, scars, and plenty of worn edges.

But God doesn’t wait until we’re polished before He claims us.

Our Creator says, “I have called you by name; you are mine.”

Think about that.

God knows your name. He knows your story, your scars, your mistakes, and every worn-out place, and He still calls you His.

He doesn’t just repair what’s broken. He redeems what was overlooked. He chooses ordinary people—not because they’re impressive, but because they’re willing to place their lives in His hands.

The beauty was never in the paper.

The beauty was in whose name it carried.

So today, if you’ve been defining yourself by the tears, the wrinkles, the mistakes, or the worn-out places, don’t lose heart.

Remember whose hands you’re in.

And remember whose name is lovingly written over your life.

You are known.

You are chosen.

You are His.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What part of your story makes you feel “worn” or imperfect?
  • What does it mean to you personally that God says, “I have called you by name; you are mine”?
  • Are you defining yourself by your past, or by what God says about you?
  • How does knowing God fully knows you—and still claims you—change the way you see yourself?
  • Who is someone in your life who may need to be reminded today that they are known, loved, and valuable to God?
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Hope in Life’s Riptides

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Nahum 1:7 — The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him.

When you’re swimming, lifeguards are there for one reason: they see what you can’t.

If there’s danger, they move fast. If someone’s struggling, they jump in.

I’m so thankful that last summer there were lifeguards on the beach when my son got caught in a riptide. He’s a pretty good swimmer, but later he told me he couldn’t catch his breath. Every time he thought he was making progress, the current pulled him under again.

But praise the Lord, an alert lifeguard saw what none of us could and brought him safely back to shore.

And honestly, that’s such a picture of God.

Nahum tells us, “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him.”

There are moments in life when you feel like you’re drowning in stress, heartbreak, loneliness, or regret. Sometimes you don’t even have the strength to ask for help.

But God doesn’t wait for our strength. He draws near in our weakness.

He’s the safe refuge you can run to when life feels stronger than you are. He’s the One who remains good when everything else feels uncertain. He sees the struggle before anybody else notices, and He isn’t standing far away shouting instructions.

He steps into our mess Himself.

The Savior didn’t simply point us toward rescue.

He became our rescue.

So if life feels deep right now, don’t forget who walks on water. Trust Him. Run to Him. The God who is your refuge is already moving toward you.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When life feels overwhelming, where do you instinctively turn first for comfort or security?
  • What does it mean to you that God is not only your rescuer, but also your refuge?
  • Can you think of a time when God protected or carried you through a difficult season, even if you didn’t recognize it at the time?
  • Is there a burden you’re trying to keep afloat on your own instead of trusting God with it?
  • How can you intentionally take refuge in God’s presence this week through prayer, worship, or time in His Word?
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Fireworks Fade, Freedom Lasts

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1 Timothy 2:5-6 — For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

Not long ago, we celebrated my husband Don’s birthday. And if that wasn’t memorable enough, he was born on the 4th of July at 4:44 in the morning. I know… I couldn’t make that up if I tried.

Some people get a birthday cake and a few candles. My husband gets the entire country setting off fireworks. Talk about raising the expectations.

Every year, as his birthday comes and goes, I’m reminded of something. We spend a lot of time celebrating the things that make us feel free: milestones, accomplishments, opportunities, and new beginnings. There’s nothing wrong with that. Many of those things are gifts from God.

But none of them can give us what our hearts need most.

The freedom we need isn’t freedom from a schedule, a burden, or a difficult season. It’s freedom from the separation that exists between us and God because of sin.

The good news is that God didn’t leave us to figure that out on our own.

First Timothy 2:5-6 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.”

What a powerful reminder.

Jesus didn’t simply point us toward God. He stepped into the gap that stood between us and Him and paid a price that we could never pay.

In a world full of people searching for answers, searching for purpose, and searching for a way to be enough, Scripture reminds us that there is only one Savior and one way to reconciliation with God. His name is Jesus.

As we move through these final weeks of summer and begin looking ahead to a new season, remember this: your hope is not found in what you’ve accomplished, what you’ve overcome, or what you plan to do next. Your hope is found in the One who gave Himself as a ransom for you.

The greatest gift you’ll ever receive isn’t another year, another opportunity, or another fresh start.

It’s Jesus, and He has already made a way for you to come back to God.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When you think about “freedom,” what usually comes to mind? How does Scripture redefine what true freedom really is?
  • Why is it important to remember that Jesus didn’t just show us the way to God—He became the only way to reconciliation with Him?
  • Are you placing your hope more in your accomplishments, circumstances, or in what Christ has already accomplished for you?
  • How does knowing Jesus paid the price you could never pay change the way you view God’s love and grace?
  • As you step into a new season, what is one way you can intentionally keep your focus on Christ instead of everything competing for your attention?
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Rescued From Life’s Riptide

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Psalm 34:18 — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

When you’re swimming, lifeguards are there for one reason: they see what you can’t.

If there’s danger, they move fast. If someone’s struggling, they jump in. I’m so thankful that last summer there were lifeguards on the beach when my son got caught in a riptide.

He’s a pretty good swimmer, but he said he couldn’t catch his breath and kept getting pulled under. I’m so thankful an alert lifeguard was there to bring him to safety.

Honestly, that’s such a picture of God.

There are moments in life when you feel like you’re drowning emotionally with stress, heartbreak, loneliness, or regret. Sometimes you don’t even have the strength to ask for help.

But God is a watchful Rescuer.

He sees the panic before anyone else notices. He sees the tears before they fall. And His Word reminds us that He is close to the brokenhearted. He draws near, not after we’ve recovered, but right in the middle of the pain.

He’s close.

Not distant.

Not annoyed.

Not waiting for you to clean yourself up first.

Close.

Jesus isn’t standing far away shouting instructions from the shore. He steps into our mess with us.

When the current is strongest, His presence is often the closest.

So, if life feels deep right now, don’t focus on how far you’re being pulled. Look to the One who walks on water.

The same Savior who rules the waves is still near to the brokenhearted, and He is still rescuing people every day.

Maybe today is a good day to stop fighting the current alone and simply call out to Him.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Have you ever experienced a time when God felt especially close during a difficult season?
  • What burden or heartache do you need to bring to Jesus today instead of carrying it alone?
  • Why is it comforting to know that God comes near before your circumstances change?
  • How does the image of Jesus as a Rescuer change the way you view your current struggles?
  • Who in your life may need to experience God’s love and nearness through your encouragement this week?
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Trusting God in the Freefall

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Psalm 91:2 — This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.

Roller coasters are fun… until you’re halfway up that first giant hill wondering why you agreed to this in the first place.

Your stomach drops. Your hands sweat. Suddenly, you realize you’re completely out of control.

Honestly, faith can feel like that too.

There are seasons when life feels steady… and then everything changes. Plans fall apart. Relationships shift. Doors close, and you’re left holding on, wondering what God is doing.

But Psalm 91 reminds us:

“This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.”

That verse hits differently when life stops making sense.

Because trust isn’t really trust when you can see the whole track ahead. If you can explain everything, faith isn’t required.

Sometimes faith means believing God is still good while you’re in the middle of the freefall.

Maybe that’s why Scripture calls Him our refuge and fortress. Not because life never shakes, but because He remains steady when everything else does.

And here’s the thing about roller coasters: while you’re on the ride, the fear feels overwhelming. But when it’s over, you realize the ride didn’t break you.

The same is true with God.

The trial you’re walking through may feel overwhelming today, but the One holding you is stronger than the storm surrounding you.

So, if you’re in the middle of a drop right now, don’t just focus on holding on tighter.

Lift your eyes to the One who has been holding you all along.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What “roller coaster” are you facing in your life right now?
  • When life feels out of control, where do you usually look for security?
  • How does knowing God is your refuge and place of safety change the way you face uncertainty?
  • Is there an area where God is asking you to trust Him even though you can’t see what’s ahead?
  • What is one practical way you can place your confidence in God’s faithfulness today instead of your circumstances?
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What Really Grows in the Dirt

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Colossians 2:6-7 — And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Summer gardens are wild to me.

You can always tell which plants are healthy by the roots.

The flowers might look beautiful for a little while, but if the roots are weak, eventually the summer heat exposes it.

My son Jeffrey and his wife Katelyn’s church is going through a series right now called “Rooted,” and I just love that title because, honestly…

It’s something all of us need.

A lot of us spend more time trying to look okay than actually becoming okay.

We want the right image.

The right vibe.

The approval of the people around us.

But God never asked us to build our lives from the surface down.

He invites us to build from the roots up.

That’s why Paul writes, “Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him.”

Roots aren’t exciting.

You don’t see them.

But they’re what keep a tree standing when the wind starts blowing.

The same is true for us.

When our lives are rooted in Jesus, we find strength that doesn’t depend on our circumstances.

Hard seasons still come.

Anxiety still happens.

Disappointment still hurts.

But rooted people don’t fall apart every time life gets difficult because their foundation goes deeper than their feelings.

Maybe that’s what God wants for you today.

Not just a better-looking life.

A deeper one.

So instead of asking,

“How do I look?”

Maybe ask,

“What am I rooted in?”

Because the strongest faith usually grows underground before anyone else ever sees it.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What are you currently rooting your identity in—Jesus, or something that could easily be shaken?
  • Are you spending more energy looking spiritually healthy or becoming spiritually healthy?
  • What daily habit could help your roots grow deeper in Christ this week?
  • How has God used a difficult season to strengthen your faith rather than weaken it?
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