Stop Waiting, Start Stepping

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James 2:26 — Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

You know, sometimes I sit around waiting on my breakthrough like it’s going to knock on the door carrying a casserole dish.

But here’s the truth: real change often begins when I trust God enough to take the next step instead of waiting for everything to feel certain.

You see that pattern all throughout Scripture.

God parted the Red Sea, but Moses stretched out his hand.

Jesus called Peter out of the boat, but Peter had to step onto the water.

Time and again, faith responded with obedience.

Because faith was never meant to sit still.

And honestly, that’s where I get stuck sometimes.

I pray.

I believe.

I ask God to move.

But then I wait for certainty before I move.

James reminds us that living faith isn’t just something we believe in our hearts. It’s something that shows up in the way we live.

Faith comes alive when it obeys.

Our responsibility is simply to take the next faithful step and trust God with the results.

So today, don’t just wait.

Pray like it depends on God.

Then take the next step He has placed in front of you.

Send that text.

Make the phone call.

Offer forgiveness.

Sign up to serve.

Encourage a friend.

Whatever God is asking of you, trust Him enough to obey.

Because living faith doesn’t stay seated.

It gets up and walks.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Is there a step of obedience you’ve been delaying while waiting for certainty?
  • How can your actions this week demonstrate that your faith in Christ is alive?
  • What is one practical way you can trust God enough to take the next faithful step today?
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Road Rage Meets Mercy

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Isaiah 55:6-7 — Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

I have a confession.

True story. I was driving the other day, and somebody nearly ran me off the road. It scared me to death, and then I did something a Christian probably shouldn’t do…

I’m not even going to tell you what it was.

But I know in that moment God was thinking, “Girl, what are you doing?”

I immediately said, “Lord, please forgive me.”

Instead of getting upset, I should have been praying for that driver. There’s probably a reason they were flying down the road like that.

And honestly, I needed to pray for myself too.

Because why is it so easy to lose my patience behind the wheel?

(Especially with an 88.7 The Cross bumper sticker on the back of my car!)

But here’s what I love about God.

He’s never surprised by my humanity.

He isn’t shocked when I fail, and He isn’t waiting for me to clean myself up before I come back to Him.

The moment I turned to Him, He was already ready to meet me with mercy.

Not pushing me away…

Pulling me closer.

That’s exactly what Isaiah reminds us.

God invites us to seek Him, to turn away from the things that pull us from Him, and to return because He forgives generously.

The fastest way forward has never been pretending we didn’t fail.

It’s repentance.

It’s turning around and running back to the Father who never grows tired of showing mercy.

God loves us exactly where we are.

But He loves us too much to leave us there.

So if you’ve had one of those moments today, don’t run from Him.

Turn toward Him.

He’s ready to forgive.

Ready to help you grow.

And ready to keep shaping you into the person He created you to be.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Is there an area of your life where God is inviting you to turn back to Him instead of hiding from Him?
  • How does knowing that God forgives generously change the way you respond after you’ve sinned?
  • What is one practical step of repentance you can take today as you seek the Lord with your whole heart?
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Secure Even When Scared

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Deuteronomy 31:6 — Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

I recently stepped way out of my comfort zone. I let my 14-year-old nephew talk me into doing a ropes course. You know, the kind with obstacles suspended high in the trees—tightropes, swinging bridges, and shaky ladders that seem much farther off the ground once you’re standing on them.

You’re secured in a harness the entire time, always clipped to a safety cable that’s designed to keep you from falling. But your brain doesn’t care about that. Your brain is convinced you’re about to plummet to your death.

Even my nephew came to one section and said, “I can’t do it.”

I smiled and said, “Yes, you can. You can’t fall. That harness has you safe and secure.”

But there was no convincing his fear.

So I reassured him again. “Just focus on taking one step at a time. Put one foot in front of the other. Don’t listen to the fear.”

Then I reminded him of something even bigger than the obstacle in front of him: he wasn’t up there alone. I’d prayed for him before we ever climbed, and I knew God was with us.

I said, “That harness is holding you. And more importantly, God is with you. Just take the next step.”

And he did.

Watching him take that next step made me think about all the scary and uncertain things we face in life. We stand at the edge of a diagnosis, a difficult decision, a loss, or a new calling, and our minds immediately imagine all the ways we could fall.

But what if we remembered we’re held by Someone stronger than our fear?

Just like that harness never let go of my nephew, God never lets go of us. He says, “Be strong and courageous.” He promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

So whatever is in front of you today, don’t let fear make the decision. Take the next step. Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to trust the One who’s holding you.

Because you’re not walking alone.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What “ropes course” are you facing right now that feels intimidating or uncertain?
  • How does God’s promise to never leave or forsake you change the way you view that situation?
  • What is one courageous next step you can take today, trusting that God is with you?
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Alone Was Never the Answer

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Genesis 2:18 — Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for Him.”

Call me crazy, but one summer I traveled to Europe alone.

Yep. I knew no foreign languages, had very little money, and already knew I would be high maintenance with my weird eating and sleep schedule. Not to mention, I had never traveled to a time zone that was seven or eight hours different from mine.

I got jet lag just flying to Atlanta and back. So I thought, “Well, I’m not subjecting somebody else to that. My crazy would probably make their crazy, crazier.”

Bless it.

But going alone, knowing nothing besides the King’s English, left me in quite a lurch. This was before smartphones could magically translate everything for you. So buying train tickets was hard, ordering food was hard, and even figuring out where I was supposed to be was hard.

I ended up broke, exhausted, and lonely, and my twenty-one day trip turned into a seven day trip.

Looking back, I think part of what made it so hard was simply this: I chose to do it alone. I made it about my schedule, my comfort, and my preferences, and I didn’t want anyone slowing me down. But I’ve learned something since then—life loses a lot of its sweetness when there’s nobody beside you to share it with.

From the beginning, God knew that. He looked at Adam in a world that was otherwise good and said, “It is not good for man to be alone.”

Human beings were never meant to carry life in isolation. We were created with room in us for community.

You don’t have to be married to live that out, but you do need people. Maybe that’s family, maybe it’s a church, maybe it’s new friendships, a small group, or even a place to start again.

Because who cares if you see the Eiffel Tower in person if you can’t turn to somebody and say, “Would you look at that?”

Experiences were meant to be shared. And no, scrolling through them later doesn’t quite count.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where in your life are you currently trying to “do it alone” instead of inviting others in?
  • Who has God already placed around you that you might need to reconnect with or lean on more intentionally?
  • What is one simple step you could take this week to build or strengthen community—join something, reach out, or say yes to connection?
  • When was the last time you shared a meaningful moment with someone instead of just experiencing it alone or online?
  • How might your daily life look different if you truly believed that community isn’t optional—but part of God’s design for you?
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Having Fun is Serious Business

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Nehemiah 8:10 — Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!

I think we need to get serious about having fun.

Somewhere along the way, adulthood started to feel like a slow stacking of weight. Things like bills, responsibilities, taking care of the kids, then our parents, deadlines, and expectations pulling at us.

Before long, it’s like life has quietly taken the life right out of us. Not all at once. Just little by little, until laughter feels like something we used to do.

Think about it for a second. What did you love to do as a kid? The kind of things you wouldn’t suggest doing now because it feels… a little childlike.

Maybe it’s a waterpark. Go-karts. Putt-putt. What about riding a horse?

Here’s the thing. You still could do those things!

It’s kind of sad that we feel like we have to carve out time on our calendars just to have fun, but the truth is, we were designed to live lives full of joy. We were meant to live with a childlike sense of wonder and joy.

Researchers say laughing is like “jogging on the inside.” It’s cardio for your core.

Researchers say laughing is like “jogging on the inside.” It lowers stress, engages your body, and reminds you that joy isn’t frivolous—it’s restorative.

Because joy was never meant to be separate from a faith filled life. It was meant to sustain it.

The strength you need from God won’t always come from pushing harder. It often comes from receiving the joy He gives. I’m not talking about a shallow escape or avoiding responsibility, but I’m talking about a steady, rooted gladness that reminds you God is still good in the middle of real life.

Because the God who calls you to faithfulness also invites you to joy. So maybe this isn’t about adding something extra to your life. Maybe it’s about returning to something you were never meant to lose.

Take the trip to the waterpark. Play a round of putt-putt. Laugh until your stomach hurts. Not because you’re ignoring life’s responsibilities, but because you’re remembering that God is still good.

And when you do, you may discover something surprising: joy isn’t a distraction from the life God has given you. It’s one of the ways He gives you strength to keep living it.

The joy of the Lord really is your strength.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What is something you loved doing as a child that brought you genuine joy?
  • Have responsibilities crowded out healthy joy in your life? What might God be inviting you to rediscover?
  • What is one simple, life-giving thing you can do this week to enjoy God’s goodness and be refreshed by His joy?
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Faith After the Fallout

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2 Corinthians 4:18 — So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Storms don’t knock. They just show up and start rearranging things you thought were settled.

I had only been in my new house six months before I learned that truth the hard way. One minute it was just a normal day. The next, the wind had picked up, the sky went dark, and an entire tree fell into my house.

In that moment, everything went strangely still, and my mind kicked in.

How can I fix this? What is this going to cost? Who is my insurance guy again?

My mind was swirling—exhausted, overwhelmed, and searching for answers.

But standing there, looking at what was broken open, another thought began to surface—quieter, but steadier.

You’re still here. Still breathing. Still standing. God’s going to carry you through this.

Because yes, it mattered that a tree fell into the house. It was inconvenient, costly, and disruptive in ways I didn’t plan for.

But it was not the truest thing happening.

In life, what can be seen—splintered wood, exposed ceilings, unexpected bills, broken plans—often feels loud because it’s right in front of you.

But it won’t last.

And that’s where faith finds its footing. Not by pretending the storm didn’t hit, but by remembering it doesn’t get to decide the ending.

So, let’s not look at the troubles that can be seen. Instead, let’s fix our gaze on the things of God that cannot be seen because those things will last forever.

And if that’s true… then even here, even now, you’re not dealing with damage.

You’re being carried through it.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What visible challenge or “storm damage” is demanding most of your attention right now?
  • How does focusing on God’s unseen promises change your perspective on that situation?
  • Have you ever experienced God carrying you through something you didn’t think you could endure?
  • What does it mean to you that your current troubles are temporary but God’s faithfulness is eternal?
  • Where do you need to shift your gaze from what is seen to what is unseen?
  • How can you remind yourself this week that your circumstances are not the truest thing happening?
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When Grief Keeps Going

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Philippians 2:16 — Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

The air felt thick the moment I stepped out of the car in Start, Louisiana. I came expecting a small-town 5K, but the town had practically doubled in size.

Cars lined the road. People gathered in clusters. And I kept hearing one name—Hillary—spoken like everyone knew her.

That’s when the story started to come into focus. There is a pastor here—Jeff Thomas. He runs to support St. Jude. You see, his daughter, Hillary, died at five months old. She was on her way there for treatment, but she didn’t make it.

And somehow… Pastor Jeff kept running.

Not away from it—but straight through it. For her and for other families.

I saw Pastor Jeff out there running to remember his daughter and help other families. And all around him were others—locals, visitors, and strangers—moving in that same direction.

By the time it was over, I knew this was sacred.

It was about what happens when someone decides to keep going—and entrusts the ache to God. You see, we all carry things. Some of them heavy. Some of them unresolved. But there is a way to keep moving forward. Not by pretending it doesn’t hurt, and not by letting grief define the story, but by holding firmly to the word of God and continuing to live with hope.

And maybe that looks like one more step today. One step toward giving the hard things to a good God who can help you carry them.

And trusting that even now… none of it is in vain.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • What burden or grief have you been trying to carry on your own lately?
  • What does it look like for you to “keep going” while still being honest about your pain?
  • How can holding firmly to God’s Word help you endure this season with hope?
  • Is there one step of faith or surrender God may be asking you to take today?
  • Where have you seen God bring purpose or impact out of something painful in your life?

 

Want to Run with Pastor Jeff? Click for Details

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The Prayer Closet Roadmap

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Galatians 5:25 – Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Do you have a prayer closet?

I do, but it’s more of a prayer kitchen.

It’s where my day starts with coffee brewing, Bible open, and the house still quiet. And somewhere between stirring creamer and waiting, I find myself talking to God. I’m not sure why I chose the kitchen, but it’s where my prayers seem to come most naturally.

My friend Mary says the same thing. She’ll stand at her kitchen window, not even doing anything, just looking out and praying. She told me she used to ask God for a roadmap. Her prayers were for directions that would come clear and detailed enough to follow without guessing.

But that’s not usually what happens.

Instead, in her prayer kitchen, she feels a gentle nudge. Not the full picture or a detailed explanation—just enough direction to take the next step. Even when the road ahead feels hidden, she has learned to trust that God will guide her when she needs it.

Somewhere along the way, she discovered what it means to keep in step with God—to move when He moves, not before and not after.

And that’s what I want to encourage you with too. When you walk with God, you don’t need the whole map—just the willingness to follow Him.

Find God’s direction in your prayer closet. Or kitchen if you’re like me. Because that’s how we live by the Spirit. When you do that, the next step is always within reach.

So, if things feel unclear today, you’re not behind. You might just be standing at the edge of your next step waiting for that gentle nudge. Even though the road ahead feels unclear, God’s guidance is more than enough to see you through.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where do you most naturally connect with God during your day?
  • Have you been waiting for a full roadmap when God may only be giving you the next step?
  • What “gentle nudge” from God have you sensed recently?
  • What does it look like for you to stay in step with the Spirit in everyday life?
  • How can you create more quiet space to hear God’s direction this week?
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Stretching Makes Faith Strong

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Romans 5:3-4 — Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

You know, in our lives, we are constantly reaching for comfort. We crave ease. We want to live on easy street, right? We plan for leisure and fun and rest.

And I am that person. I want every day to go smoothly.

I want to go to the beach, head to the mountains, or stay home and bake cookies. But that’s not real life. And more often than not, it’s not the plan God has for us either.

Our flesh loves the easy places that come with predictable schedules, smooth roads, and everything working out just right. But growth rarely happens there.

Think about it. Muscles don’t strengthen without resistance.

And faith? It doesn’t deepen without stretching.

Jesus never promised a life of ease. He promised a life that matters—a life with purpose. He points to the kind of life that asks you to let go of what feels safe so you can actually find what is real.

Because the truth is, those hard seasons are not pointless. They’re producing something—things like steadiness, endurance, and hope.

Not to harm us, but to shape us and to lead to our hope.

Because comfort feels good in the moment. But calling? Calling carries meaning that lasts.

And maybe that tension you’re feeling right now, you were not meant to try to escape it or retreat to your comfort zone. This is the very place where something in you is being built that comfort could never produce.

So friend, just stay a little longer—and see what God might be growing in you.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • Where in your life are you most tempted to run back toward comfort instead of trusting God through the process?
  • Can you think of a difficult season that ultimately produced growth, endurance, or deeper faith in you?
  • What might God be building in your character through the tension or struggle you are facing right now?
  • How can you choose purpose over comfort in one practical way this week?
  • What would it look like to stay steady and trust God instead of trying to escape the hard season immediately?
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Kindness in the Crossfire

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Ephesians 4:31-32 — Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

You know, there’s a different kind of sting when someone doesn’t just hurt you, but they actually criticize you to a boss, coworker, or friend.

They didn’t come to you first and say, “Hey, I didn’t like the way you handled that.”

They went around you and over you.

I experienced that recently. And I have to tell you, I felt it deeply. I felt blindsided. Betrayed. It got to the point where I didn’t even want to be in the same room with them.

But here’s what the Holy Spirit keeps whispering to my heart:

“You don’t have to win this. Just represent me.”

He reminded me that as a Christian, I’m called to put away the things that grow sharp inside me—bitterness, anger, and offense. And in their place, choose a different way—a way that looks like kindness when it’s not deserved.

Jesus understood what it meant to be misrepresented too.

People twisted His words. They questioned His motives and talked about Him instead of to Him. And still—He didn’t lash out. He didn’t scramble to protect His image. He stayed anchored in something deeper than public opinion.

So, here’s the hard truth I’m learning: you can’t control how they handled it, but you can control what it grows inside you.

Being Christ-like doesn’t mean pretending it didn’t hurt. It means refusing to let the hurt harden you. You’re choosing to stay free instead of becoming bitter. Because when you honor God, the victory shows up in the moments you refuse to plant bitter seeds.

So today, if something happens that stings, I want to encourage you to pause before reacting. Let the wave of emotion pass. Then deliberately choose who you are going to represent in that moment. Even at the heart level.

Lay down the need to be right and pick up kindness… tenderhearted… forgiving—just like you’ve been forgiven. Lean into compassion. Choose forgiveness—even if it’s one step at a time.

Because the real victory isn’t proving a point. It’s protecting your heart.

When you refuse to plant bitterness, you make room for something better to grow.

And that changes you.

 

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

  • When someone hurts you, what tends to grow in your heart first—bitterness or grace?
  • Is there a situation right now where you feel misunderstood or misrepresented?
  • What would it look like to “represent Christ” in that situation instead of defending yourself?
  • Are you holding onto offense that is beginning to harden your heart?
  • What is one practical step you can take today toward kindness or forgiveness?
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