For others, this year may mark a “first” that feels anything but joyful: first year without “them”, first year with the diagnosis, first year alone. And for others, it may not be a “first”, but this holiday season carries a heaviness that can’t quite be put into words, even if you tried.

Did you know that the word “holiday” comes from an Old English words meaning “holy day?” I believe this is so important because when we first think of the holiday season, it’s so easy to measure it on the scale of whether it’s going to be a “good” “bad” or “hard” holiday season. But what if the origin of this word opens up so much more meaning of the holidays for each of us, no matter what season we find ourselves in?

What if we asked Jesus, the author of our stories, the following questions as we kick off the seasons festivites:

Lord, what does clinging to your holiness in the brokenness look like this holiday season?
Jesus, how can I bring your sacred presence into my home, even if my family can’t get along?
God, what areas of my life am I not leaning on your holy presence?

My prayer for you, is that you would see these holy moments found in God’s presence all around you this holiday season. Not in spite of what you are carrying this year, but through it.

I pray that the “God of all comfort who comforts us in all our affliction” (2 Cor. 1:3-4) will draw near to you this year, nearer than you ever knew possible.

I pray that if you’re in the valley, Jesus would wrap his arms around you through His presence, His word, and His people. And if you are the friend walking alongside someone in the valley, that you would comfort them just as you have been comforted through the power of prayer and presence.

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that we as humans need two fundamental things in life: We need God and we need each other 🤍

Let’s be people who seek help when we needed this year and also be those who keep our eyes open for those who may need a smile, a hug, and prayer.

Happy Holy Days, friends 🫶🏼

The post A Note for the Holiday Season first appeared on Live Original.

Watch the full message linked here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W0rpBi92jI&t=89s

The post The Danger of Compromise first appeared on Live Original.

Oftentimes when you want to be something or do something, you have a role model or mentor. Someone who has already become a so-called “expert” in the subject you are trying to master. You watch this person closely and hang onto their every word in hopes to find some bit of the map to your desired destination. Piece by piece, word by word, story by story you’re closer to unveiling how to accomplish this ambition. Your mind begins to expand and your heart smiles as this goal of yours is slowly becoming a reality.

Our first thought for someone who is an “expert” on strength is probably someone with immense physical strength. Like Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, a man of enormous size and physical capabilities. His physical strength was so monstrous that he terrified an entire army and kept them from battle. Yes, an entire army. And if I’m honest, this will never be my kind of strength. I am 5’7. Paralyzing an army from my sheer physical strength and stature is not in the cards for me.

The kind of strength I desire is not this physical strength demonstrated by Goliath or what we typically think of described in the first definition of strong: “having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.”^[1]

The kind of strength I desire is that of David in the Goliath story. He exemplified the second more encompassing and true definition of strength that I believe is far more valuable than just the physical, to be “able to withstand great force or pressure.” ^[2]

When every soldier in the entire army trembled in fear at Goliath’s physical strength, David revealed what it means to be truly strong. He had every pressure to back down from battle but he withstood.

Fully aware that he was just a shepherd and not a soldier, David begged to go into battle against Goliath.

Fully aware that Goliath was a GIANT, David begged to go into battle against Goliath.

Fully aware of the warnings of fellow soldiers that he was not capable of winning, David begged to go into battle against Goliath.

When I read this story, I couldn’t help but wonder how David was able to withstand. How could David be so strong when everything in this world points to just giving in?

It actually took me flying 23 hours across the country, passing out in freezing weather, and climbing the tallest free standing mountain in the world to figure this one out. So I pray and hope this streamlines your process a bit.

The 23 hour flight was to Tanzania. Tanzania is home to a 19,341 foot Goliath of a mountain called Mount Kilimanjaro. I had the incredible opportunity to hike this mountain this summer to raise awareness and funds for Compassion International, an organization committed to freeing children from poverty in Jesus’s name. And that mountain is home to the freezing weather I mentioned a bit ago. For 6 days, this mountain was my home as well.

We ate on this mountain, talked on this mountain, laughed on this mountain, slept on this mountain, and yes…. went to the bathroom on this mountain. But more importantly, we hiked on this mountain.. for hours and hours. The first four days were honestly bliss. All my months of training for this trek had paid off. On the fourth night you wake up at midnight to climb the remaining 4000 feet to the top of the mountain. You eat breakfast in the pitch black with only stars and the moon illuminating the sky and begin your summit to the top.

Staring up at the stars, in the 9 degree weather, I looked up to the heavens and told God “this is one of the best days of my life”. I danced for the next 2-3 hours as I walked step by step up the mountain until something funny happened. I began to feel lightheaded. And then I would pass out. As I am climbing up rocks and in the snow, I begin to pass out for 1-2 seconds at a time and catch myself just before I hit the ground with my handy hiking poles.

Long story short, I did this for the next 2 hours of the hike. All my months of training never prepared me for this moment. My physical strength was gone. My mental strength diminished every time I passed out. I was not strong like David. The very real pressures of this circumstance were weighing on me like I had never experienced weight before and I was entirely too weak to withstand.

I started to pray and ask the Lord for strength because I no longer had it. I was absolutely desperate. And in my desperation, the Lord reminded me of the lyrics of the first song I ever sang in Church “I am weak but thou art strong”.

Step by step. I hiked this mountain for 6 more hours singing this song to myself.

“I am weak but thou art strong.”

And step by step. The Lord gave me strength. Strength to withstand the pressures and summit Mount Kilimanjaro.

I realize that this is how David did it. This is how David withstood the pressures and entered battle. This is how David slayed Goliath. This is how David was made strong.

By first recognizing He is weak but thou art strong.

He didn’t have the strength, but He walked with a God that did.

As I have been home I’ve faced days where the pressure feels like it’s coming from every side. And instead of trying to find the courage, I just simply surrender to God and say “I am weak, but thou art strong.” I put God back on the throne of my heart, I make Him the source of my strength, and humble myself that I am not strong.

And then I walk with the one that is. Just like David did. The song I sang on the mountain is actually a hymn called “just a closer walk with Thee”. How beautiful? I don’t have to muster up the strength, I simply need to walk closer to thee.

You don’t have to muster up the strength. Simply surrender. Say “God I am weak, but thou art strong.” And then walk with the one that is.

Remember how earlier I mentioned finding an expert, role model, or mentor? Jesus is that. He is my expert, role model, and mentor. He walked this earth and exemplified to us perfectly how to walk with thee. How to be strong amidst the pressures of this world. And He is so much more. He is the source of this very strength and life I desire.

I’ve learned that if I want to walk with thee, I need to study the one that did so perfectly. And you know what’s beautiful? As I study and read about Jesus’s life, pray, and surrender this crazy thing happens:

Piece by piece, word by word, story by story I’m becoming stronger although I am weak. My mind is expanding and my heart is smiling. Perhaps even doing a dance. And this goal of being strong, through Jesus has become a reality.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

And through Christ, it can be your reality too.

Maia Mae Huff is passionate about spreading love, truth, and light to all people. Whether that be through phone calls with a friend, her In This Together podcast, speaking, or any way that God leads.

Keep up with Maia Mae Huff on Instagram @maiamaehuff

The post I Am Weak, but Thou’ Art Strong first appeared on Live Original.

Today I want to share with you encouragement on what it looks like to walk confidently with God in the wilderness, even in a season when the world brings reason for confidence to be shattered. Not letting a bad grade sway your view of who God called you to be. Not letting a missed goal define you as a failure. I want to share with you from the Bible about who God is to his people in the wilderness. I want to share with you from the Bible about who God will be to you in your wilderness. Are you in a season where you wonder what God is doing or wondering how he could do anything at all with the little that you have? God can use your C to get the degree, I can personally testify lol. God wants to use the best shot you can give him and turn it into the dream you are believing for, even through a season of what can feel like the wilderness.

I have recently been reading through Leviticus…. A book that can feel like you are in the TRENCHES of God’s word. This is often the spot where bible plans go down the drain, you skip a day, try to catch up, and then months go by and you just give up on the old testament all together. But nonetheless it is a book that reveals the character of God’s heart, his care for details, and his longing for closeness with his people. It’s also a book that revealed the power of the wilderness to me. A wilderness that was set apart for growth, for miracles, for learning, and for the presence of God.

As the Israelites journeyed from Egypt to Canaan, they were guided by a cloud during the day and a fire at night. If either of those moved, so would they. If either of them stayed, so would they. The average travel time from Egypt to Canaan should take about 11 days but at this point in the story the Israelites had been in the wilderness for over a year. It would be naive to believe that they didn’t understand what God was doing, how he was using their season, and wondering what they did wrong to keep them on this journey for so long. I would think it was an “easier said than done” type of season, believing God was doing something but not fully convinced. Because if I had been on a hike that should take 11 days but we are on day 365, I would have to stop and say this math… is not mathing.

Can I be honest? I think it’s ok to have a moment to recognize that life just straight up feels like the wilderness. God loves when you are honest with him. He wants to hear about the good day, when you got the position on Exec that you wanted so badly. He also wants to hear about the bad day, the breakup when you feel unseen in your hurting. I also believe that in our moments of honesty, we can’t stay there, we must let God reveal his truth to our heart and let that be what fuels us further. The end of a semester can feel like the wilderness. It can feel full of hunger for that which really satisfies, call it an internship, call it a summer vacay, call it a date but maybe really call it purpose, call it love, call it the assurance of God in this season. Does it feel slow moving? Like you are on a journey that should take 11 days but you’re on day 365. Does it feel as if you are being held from the promise ahead of you, being forced to wait to fulfill your potential. Have you begun to second guess the journey? I know the Israelites did. I know I have. Believing that what was behind them was better than what was before them. Wishing they had what once was instead of believing in what God had in store.

It can be easy to miss the days we used to have, blind to what we are now blessed with. But in doing this we miss the miracle that God has been providing all along. I think about how manna wasn’t a one time miracle, but a daily miracle. Because the Israelites were discontent with what was in front of them, a moment we read as a miracle soon became not enough. As they lost their awe for the miracle of manna they began to crave what could be next. Missing the potential purpose of the wilderness season they were in. God didn’t take them through the wilderness because they were forgotten. The wilderness wasn’t a long journey because God thought they weren’t enough. It was in the wilderness God gifted them with time. Time to learn. Time to grow. Time to depend. Time to watch. Time to receive. Time with God. It is in your “wilderness” that God has gifted you with the same.

Let’s make this practical, what does “the wilderness” look like for us. It can look like forgotten purpose. It can look like a wardrobe malfunction on Bid day. The wilderness can be a breakup, a messed up CFA order, or a dress that doesn’t fit the way you want it to. The wilderness is a moment that you just want to look at God and say “are we serious???” Do you feel like you are in the wilderness? Did the bad test grade make you second guess the major you chose? Did your bad day at work make you feel like you aren’t enough? I believe this season you find yourself in (or save this post for when you are in it) is full of the same purpose that it was for the Israelites. I believe it is to strengthen, to grow, to learn. I believe God is teaching us to receive, to watch, to depend on the One who breathes true purpose into your life in the middle of the wilderness.

How can you optimize the wilderness you are in? Find ways to learn. Listen to a podcast, try a new workout studio, I have been doing a personal challenge each month of 2024. Last month was not eating out, this month is no diet coke 🙁 I will survive lol! Learn more about you, learn about God, learn about your friends. Another way you can optimize the wilderness is to receive. Receive more of God’s word, spend consistent time with him, try a new devotional. The third way you can make the most of the wilderness is to depend on God. What is something you are believing for this month that only God can do? Is it an opportunity you’re believing for? Is it enough money for school? Is it a restored relationship with your parents or for your parents? Believe in what God desires to do in your wilderness season.

God sees you and he cares about you enough to turn his head and listen to your desires. Don’t let the wilderness shake what God has built inside of you. Instead shake the wilderness with who you are and what God is doing through you.

Believing with you,

Scarlet

The post Optimizing a Season of Lost Purpose first appeared on Live Original.

Folks often ask me, “How did you endure so much grief? How did you climb out of the dark?” 

My scientific answer is, “Medicine balanced my serotonin, my hormones, my moods. Karaoke gave me a needed distraction, helped me laugh again. Gathering a new tribe of family and friends was imperative.” 

All these things were helpful or needed—except karaoke . . . it was just fun! But the real answer is the one thing. Just one thing. 

One night a few years back, Andrew Tenenbaum called me and said he had a few extra tickets to the 25th Anniversary showing of City Slickers. I was ecstatic. Billy Crystal has always been a favorite of mine. Since Andrew was also his manager, chances were great that I would at least be in the same room. Not only was I in the same room, but Zach and I were seated directly behind him. Just before the movie started, a man slipped in late and sat right beside me. Of course, I began a little small talk. My enthusiasm and southern accent were just enough to annoy everyone around us so Billy would have to turn around. When he did, I was ready! 

“Hi Billy, I’m Chonda. I’m a comic too. Andrew is my manager, so we’re practically cousins!” 

He smiled politely and shook my hand as Zach sunk down in his seat. I was on a roll! I turned to the man sitting beside me, “You must be family, a dear friend? You have a pretty good seat, so I’m guessing you might be Billy’s tailor!” When I get nervous or feel out of place, my mouth often runs without a pinch of decorum or sophistication. 

The gentleman looked sideways at me, and he may have rolled his eyes. “I’m Ron Underwood. I’m here for the Q and A afterward.” 

“Ah. Nice to meet you! And what did you do in the movie?” 

“I directed it.” Oops! I think in Hollywood it’s supposedly a big deal to know these things! 

Thank goodness the lights dimmed just as my face flushed bright pink and Zach whispered, “Mom, don’t talk anymore!” 

I love the movie City Slickers. Who doesn’t? But the reason I bring it all up is this one thing. Do you remember the scene? Billy’s character, Mitch, has been bouncing about on a horse for days with Jack Palance (Curly), a rugged cowboy who is tougher than nails and can rope a calf with his big toe. Mitch laments to Curly about his complicated midlife crisis. Curly finally asks, “Do you know what the secret to life is?” Mitch sits up taller on his horse. Leans in to hear. He’s dying to know. Needs to know. It will be the glue that puts his entire life back together. Curly lifts his finger cradled in his dusty leather work glove, “It’s this one thing. Just one thing.” 

Mitch says, “Your finger?” 

“No!” Curly chuckles. “It’s just one thing.” 

That’s my answer, too. The secret to getting through anything starts with just one thing. Faith.

Has my faith ever wavered in strength? Yes, way too often. Have I questioned “why even bother?” You’d better believe it. Have I wondered if it works? Every other day. But you know what happens? The next day shows up. Then the next and the next. Before long, I’ve passed through one of the most difficult weeks of my life. Because of that one thing. 

If you’re expecting your faith to help you get something you want or fix everything, well, you might as well put your faith in a statue of a little fat man or buy a lottery ticket. There have been some tough days. Not as bad as the jump-in-the-river days. Days where I beg God, “Please, please fix this. Fix me. I can’t make it through this anymore.” Like the clink of a couple of coins into a slot machine, I pull the lever. Nothing. 

Bart Millard is a songwriter and friend. I mean, it’s not like I have his cell phone number and we toss around song ideas, but he must have some sort of spiritual connection with me because it never fails that when I am at a low point in my grief, missing David or the kids, a song he has written floats through my radio and speaks to me—like MercyMe’s “Even If”: 

I know You’re able and I know You can 

Save through the fire with Your mighty hand 

But even if You don’t, My hope is You alone¹ 

Maybe faith is not about what you get. Maybe it’s about who you become. Maybe it’s not about believing your circumstances will change; maybe it’s about believing in God even if they never do. Period. Not the getting. The giving of faith. The adoration regardless of the outcome. In that regard, I have never lost my faith. I have complete faith that God can change things, fix things. Sometimes He does, sometimes He doesn’t. But putting my trust and faith in Him has changed me because I’ve learned what happens if I don’t.

A better question might be, “Have you ever lost Chonda?” I’m pretty sure God would say, “Oh, a few times we came close. She tried to hide. She slipped to the shadows. Tried to jump in the river, but it was too shallow. I drained it on purpose. But I knew where she was the whole time.”

The post Life Is Funny Until It’s Not first appeared on Live Original.

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2)

I was reaching my hand into the pantry for some trail mix when a terrible odor hit my nose. I looked to see where this stench was coming from but couldn’t find the source. So I let it be, hoping it would go away with time if I just ignored it. But a few hours later, I returned to the pantry for some peanut butter, and I smelled that terrible stench again. I then realized this odor was not going away unless I figured out where it was coming from. As I frantically searched the pantry, an old, rotten red onion caught my eye. Finally, after I threw it away, the smell of my pantry became much more bearable. It turns out things are much better when you get out the gunk.

In our own lives, we can go about our days with everything proceeding smoothly. But then we sense that something isn’t quite right. Something is a bit off . . . no matter how much we try to avoid it or act like it will go away on its own.

When we’re in a season of waiting, we can often let “gunk” filter in and clog up our spiritual and emotional lives. Whether through laziness, apathy, numbness, bitterness, or some other form of negativity, we can be tempted to relax our vigilance as we wait, so we start to let our spiritual health slide.

Being in a season of waiting doesn’t mean you do nothing. Perhaps if God is not changing your situation, He is trying to change you. Maybe He wants to rid you of your bad habit of gossiping, the lukewarm lifestyle youkeep falling into, or a lie you are believing that is hindering your ability to walk as a child of the King. Wherever the stench is coming from today, don’t be discouraged. It’s not there to stay. We get to allow God to search us and convict us of what He wants us to get rid of—and as we wait, we get to be made more like Him.

Prayer: God, I know that sometimes I miss the mark. Please reveal to me areas of my heart that are not pleasing to You and show me the gunk in my life You want to get rid of. I desire to do Your will, God. In Jesus’s name, amen.

DAY 7

“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (Hebrews 6:12)

Everything about the vacation in Miami was perfect. After a few days of basking in the sun, I was ready to get some movement in. Knowing a beachside coffee shop was only three miles down the road, I decided to run to it and reward myself with coffee.

As I started running, I felt very accomplished. Here I was on vacation, running. I checked my Apple Watch fifteen minutes into my run to see how far I’d gone. Feeling energized and eager as the crisp morning air refreshed my sink, I keep moving my legs forward with vigor.

Suddenly, I noticed the highway in front of me, which stopped me in my tracks. That’s when I realized…I was headed in the wrong direction. I called the friend who had recommended the coffee shop and asked her where it was. She then told me how to get back on track, which was inconveniently thirty minutes in the other direction.

As I resumed my run, I felt seriously humbled. I wondered if I should even still try to run to the coffee shop. Suddenly I realized I had to decided: Was I going to be someone who gives up when things get difficult? Or was I going to keep going even when it was hard?

I know running slightly more than three measly miles to a coffee shop is a small challenge in comparison to what you might be going through today. But I still had to ask the Lord for the strength to finish strong. After much effort, I finally got to my destination and put in my order…and the barista moved slowly.

Crazy, now that I had made it, I had to wait even longer. The girl in front of me was so fed up with the wait time that she just left.

Waiting for coffee isn’t a big deal compared to the important things in life. But that morning taught me three very important things: First, to receive any promise from God, we must be willing to wait. And third, enduring and waiting are hard in the moment, but they are always worth it in the long run.

As I walked back onto the beach, with my running shoes in one hand, and my coffee in the other, I smiled. Perhaps not giving up was worth it, after all.

Prayer: God, I admit that sometimes I grow weary doing the things You’ve called me to do. Help me to stay faithful today and finish the race You have for me. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Ashley Hetherington, author of The Joy of the In-Between is a writer, speaker, content creator, Jesus lover, and founder of The Honey Scoop, a lifestyle blog that encourages and equips young women to grow their faith and reach their full potential in God. As someone with a passion for connecting with young women about the struggles of young adult life, Ashley is also the creator of a membership program, The Tree, an online community that helps young women connect with God and read the Bible. Through her writing and speaking, Ashley is a faith leader for those who want to know the Word of God and let truth transform their lives. She has a degree in journalism and interactive media studies from Miami University and resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

The post The Joy of the In-Between first appeared on Live Original.

When my husband accepted his new job and we decided to move, we were both feeling a deep stirring in our hearts to simplify our lives. When I say simplify I mean, finding a smaller house, getting rid of all car payments, less eating out and less commitments all together. At the beginning of this move I thought the desire came from our dream of buying some land and building a house again one day. We knew if we wanted this dream to become a reality sooner rather than later we needed to take a step back for a season to save. What I’ve realized a few months into this move is the desire to simplify our lives wasn’t just to prepare ourselves for our dream but for spiritual growth too. As we simplify our lives, it reveals what truly matters most in our hearts.

I don’t know about you but I’ve heard the phrase “less is more” many times throughout my life. However, I can’t say I’ve really ever applied it to my life or understood the impact it can have if we follow the philosophy. Throughout my younger twenties I believed creating a successful and fulfilling life meant I needed to have things to show for it like having a bigger house, nicer car and more money. The problem with that mindset is as trends faded, discontentment would eventually arise within my heart. This was a pattern I began to notice within myself from year to year.

What I’ve discovered is there is a difference between making a mistake versus a reoccurring pattern in our lives. Mistakes need grace and mercy. Patterns need healing. Patterns reveal there is something beneath the surface that we need to bring to Jesus. What I’ve grown to love about God is that when he exposes something, like a negative pattern, it’s not to make us feel bad or shameful about ourselves. Rather it’s to reveal our need for Him and to draw our hearts closer to His. God wants to heal what he reveals and sanctify our hearts in the process. Every day and season is a chance to be developed. Sometimes he wants to develop our character and other times He wants to heal the deep wounds and misconceptions within. For me, I learned my need to have the next best thing was rooted in feeling like I needed to prove myself. Can you relate?

The question I’ve been prompted to ask myself in this season is: “ Am I truly satisfied with Jesus alone or am I only satisfied when I have Jesus plus something else?” Make no mistake– I love having nice things too! I enjoy my hair extensions, getting my nails done and dreaming of the house and land we will one day raise a family on! We love traveling and trying out the newest restaurant in our area too. None of these things are bad. In fact, they are all part of what makes life fun! Yet, I’ve discovered that in the midst of pursuing all these things, we can still be checking the purity of our motives by coming before Jesus and asking him to search our hearts. Have we caught ourselves in a round of keeping up with the joneses? Are we pursuing these things to prove our worth to a world that will never meet our deepest need to be seen? Are we trying to one up that family member or friend who upset us by getting something we know they can’t have? Are we trying to find value in things that will one day disappear forever?

Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Don’t store up treasures here on Earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Friend, I don’t know where you have found yourself today. Maybe you’re overwhelmed with keeping up with all the latest trends and your bank account is hurting because of it. Maybe you’ve over committed yourself to others that you can’t remember the last time you sat down and ate dinner with your family. Perhaps you feel spiritually dry and want to experience God’s presence in your life again. I see you. I was there just a few months ago.

What if the key to a more meaningful life is a simpler life? What if decluttering our lives is what leads us into a deeper relationship with Jesus and the people in our lives? Perhaps it’s in the season’s where we let go of the stuff we think we need most that we will discover the life God has in store is actually so much better than we could ask or think. Maybe it’s in the process of letting all striving cease that we will realize that we all have access to a simple life worth living. One that is full of joy, gratitude and contentment. A life that is deeply rooted in Jesus satisfying our every need to be known, loved and seen. We might even discover a deeper peace within our hearts that God has us right where He wants us and has provided us with all that we could ever need.

Katie Dietz is a born and raised Oklahoma girl who has a heart for sharing the light & hope of Jesus. She recently moved to NW Oklahoma with her husband Kory where they enjoy evening walks after work and finding new places to explore near OKC! She is a part time dental hygienist and is currently writing her first book with Our Daily Bread. She is the founder of Back Porch Devotionals- a community focused on encouraging women on their walk with Jesus through daily devotionals & faith- filled truth. Her 1st book is set to come out in 2026! In the meantime you can keep up with her on Instagram @katie.dietz & @back.porch.devos

The post A Simple Life Worth Living first appeared on Live Original.

The Bible is full to the brim of stories displaying God’s love for His people, so I have condensed those into a few major themes.

He created us, in His image and He didn’t have to. Genesis 1:27 says “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” We were made in His image, given dignity from the very beginning. Job 33:4 says “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” God does not need us, but we need Him. Only in Him do we have life, we could not and would not be here without Him. Thankfully, His love and creativity overflowed into His creation of mankind and the world.

Although we separate ourselves from Him, through our sin, He made a way for us to spend eternity with Him. Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Not one person on earth could earn the love of the Father, no one is righteous – except one, Jesus. Not only is He righteous, but His righteousness becomes our own when we accept Him. So even though we consistently fall short, because of the fact that He never fell short our lives are changed.

Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” His son, His choice, Jesus died for us so that we may live, and for FREE! We did not do anything to merit the gift that is salvation through Christ. In God’s LOVE and generosity and mercy he gifts us righteousness through Christ, all we have to do is accept it.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God loves us so much, He sent his son, while we were still sinners, to die for us, so that we may spend eternity with Him forever. While we were actively running away from Him, He ran toward us. He endured the cross while we mocked Him as our choices put Him there. In His love He stayed, died for us, and made a way to bridge the gap sin created between us and God.

He sacrificed for our benefit, and our eternity can be secure through Christ. John 17:3 says, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 1:12 says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” I struggle to think of how the Creator of the universe could love us more than by including us in His family, and offering us eternal life with Him.

This is the gospel, this is the GOOD NEWS! We can be coheirs in the kingdom of God! Titus 3:4-7 says, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Why does any of this matter?

If it is true that God loves me, why does that change my life?

I would challenge that once you know you are loved by God, everything you do no longer is about you but Him. I can trust Him, He loves me, my life is His! Friendships, relationships, work, hobbies, eating, drinking, exercise, everything is about him. What relief and freedom His love brings to not have to bear the burden of selfishness and control.

I am currently in a post-graduate fellowship program and one of our themes for the year is focusing on our belovedness. The acknowledgement and deep understanding of God’s love for us is what allows us to honor and enjoy Him all the days of our lives. God consistently describes His love as steadfast toward us. It is resolute, unchanging, and steady. It does not waver based upon our actions, it cannot be earned, and it is always consistent. He never leaves or forsakes us. In every season, every mountain and valley, God’s love for us is steadfast. No matter what you may be going through you can rest in God’s love for you. He calls you…

Blessed – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” – Ephesians 1:3

Free – “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.”- Romans 6:6-7

Beautiful – “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”- Psalm 139:13-14

Victorious – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37

Chosen – “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love” – Ephesians 1:4

Forgiven – “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” – Ephesians 1:7

Understanding our belovedness changes our identity. We are not defined by who anyone says we are, by our failures or accomplishments, or even who we think we are. We are defined by our Maker, as people created in his likeness, for his glory, out of His love. So if you get anything from reading this blog, I hope it is the simple and complex truth that God loves you.

Macy is from Orlando, FL, and currently resides in Nashville, TN. Keep up with Macy on Instagram at @macy_laegeler 🙂

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Thinking back on my past heartbreak experiences, through different seasons of life, I can confidently say that is the truth! The Lord has allowed me to walk through hard relationships, meet people who I thought was, “the one” and get my heart broken time after time. I was the girl growing up that said, “the first person I date, I want to be the one I marry!” Butttt…the Lord had other plans. Several failed relationships later, I am here, overwhelmingly thankful that was not the case.

I am now the girl that “loves” breakups. Sounds crazy, trust me, I know! But hear me out. The greatest lessons I have learned about my personal relationship with the Father was taught through times of heartbreak. The seasons where I experienced the most growth, refinement, and change, were seasons after that failed relationship with “the one.” The times when I have seen my closest friends flourish were the times after she finally broke up with the guy our friend group knew was not good for her. I love breakups.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).” This verse has often been used to comfort me during times of heartache. However, after I read the quote mentioned earlier, this verse has a whole new meaning.

Perhaps the Lord is near to the brokenhearted because He first allowed us to experience human failure of love to better understand His.

Perhaps the Lord is near to the brokenhearted because we must first be broken to be made new in Him.

Perhaps the Lord is near to the brokenhearted because His heart breaks with us.

Perhaps the Lord is near to the brokenhearted because He is refining our character, our definition of love, and our purpose to better align with His word.

This time last year, I went through a hard breakup. It is wild to be at a place where I can talk about it as part of my testimony and share the beautiful lessons the Lord allowed me to learn through that time. Total transparency though, this is not easy. This relationship was everything from “That’s the Way I Loved You” to “All too Well” (Swifities, you know the references) Over the years of us together, the Lord made it more and more clear that we were not for each other, so we broke up.

At the beginning of 2023, I would have never put on my “resolutions” list for me to go through yet another failed relationship. I thought 2023 was going to be the year I got married, graduated, and settled down. That is what I dreamt for myself.

However, as we know the Lord has plans of His own and man, am I thankful for that!

Instead of those things happening, the Lord took a situation that was destined for heartache, depression, and failure – and completely flipped my world upside down to be the best year of my life. Just to give you a glimpse…I went through heartbreak, got the opportunity to be an LO ambassador (wooohooo!!!), went to Thailand, called into missions, moved out of my childhood home into “the cottage” with my best friends, changed my major from Public Relations to a missions degree, and so much more.

When I say I am thankful that it is His plan and not my own, I mean it!

I share this with you only to say, none of that would have been possible without the first thing on that list; “heartbreak.”

It was not the relationship itself keeping me from experiencing these things, it was my lack of keeping my priorities in line to truly see what all the Lord had in store for me. The opportunities were there all along, I just needed to fix my heart, mind, and soul on Him to see them. I was too focused on the relationship I was in and not my relationship with the Father, everything was clouded and blurred. I was letting a human relationship that was inevitably going to fail me, define love for me and was not relying on God’s perfect, unfailing love.

It is evident when it is not from God. I mean how confusing would it be if God gave us peace about every relationship we got into? When we finally meet the one He has set apart for us, it will all make sense. We will have an undeniable peace that this is the one that will be an addition to my walk with the Lord. We will see how that person is better for us and for the greater good of His kingdom. It will be peace upon peace, no convincing necessary.

But sometimes, unfortunately, it takes going through the first thing on that list, to truly know it when we see it. Because of heartbreak, I better know the character and love of God.

I have seen human love fail me, and that is ok! It is part of it. But because of His word, His love letter written from His heart to ours, we know His love will never fail us.

Psalm 73:26,” My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

So, friend, this Valentine’s season, whether you are single, dating, heartbroken, engaged, or miss independent – I hope you can look back on the heartache and be thankful. Be thankful that the Lord allowed you to experience human failure so that you could better know His love for you. Be thankful it took a few failed relationships so that you could better recognize true love when it came into your life. Be thankful you have learned to guard your heart. Be thankful that you have gone through tough times so that way you can better relate and help others. Be thankful that each time you have gotten your heartbroken, the Lord has used that to redefine your definition of love to align with what it says in His word.

Because of heartache, we better know His love.

So, when I say I love breakups, it is because I have seen the Lord turn it around for good, time and time again!

Hey hey LO fam! My name is Raylee Evans and it is a joy to be here with you! I am a Senior Public Relations major at Lee University, which happens to be right in my hometown, Cleveland, TN! I am the second oldest of six in my family, which makes life so fun – never a dull moment! You can either find me on the pickleball courts, drinking coffee, or planning a last-minute trip. I currently work at Ever After Bridal as a bridal consultant, give campus tours at Lee to upcoming students, and I also have a little photography business on the side as well. I am a multi-passionate gal with a lotta dreams, 27 to be exact! My biggest prayer is that whatever dream I am pursing, that I am spreading His love, His joy, and His truth with everyone I come into contact with. Again, it is a joy to be here so thanks for being apart of one of those 27 dreams!

The post I Love Breakups! first appeared on Live Original.

To prevent crippling fear from creeping in sometimes, I do an exercise called “Fear Setting.” It’s been so effective in my life throughout the years that my husband started recommending it to his clients in therapy. Here’s the exercise in case you want to try too:

1. Write down one goal that you are afraid of (in question form).
2. Now, make a list of every fear you can think of as it relates to this goal. These can be realistic, highly irrational, or dramatic. Write down any and every little thing you can think of that could go wrong. This is not a time to be judgmental toward yourself or your fears. The more you write down, the better.
3. Then make a list of ways that you can prevent these fears from occurring. This is a great place to work on your brainstorming abilities and problem-solving skills.
4. Finally, if some of your fears do come true, list ways you can repair your life and recover from them.

Even with this soothing exercise in reach, there are some days when fear can be so paralyzing that moving forward feels more like navigating the forceful hands of quicksand. On days like those, I refer to the basics: What does God say about fear? I’ll thumb through the concordance and choose one word that I need to focus on that day. Sometimes it’s “fear” itself or “anxiety” or “worry.” Then I’ll look up each recommended scripture, reading them aloud to myself, pacing around the room, desperate for peace. Eventually, I’ll be so consumed with the Holy Spirit that putting in the work becomes an expression of my excitement rather than something to dread.

This is what I read today: “I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:3–5).

Graduating from a fear-based mindset to a faith-based one has been the most liberating and useful thing I’ve done these days. Maybe “graduating” isn’t the best word to use because it’s more like studying. It’s an ongoing process, not some place I’ve arrived. But it’s influencing everything—how I listen to God in my prayer life, who I call for help, and how authentically I try to parent and live and work. I don’t know anyone who lives without fear, not truly. But the skill I’m trying to master lately—I’m calling it a skill because it takes practice—is to welcome that fear, sit with it, pray through it, and then do the thing anyway. This skill has the power to change the course of my life if I let it. It’s entirely challenging, but I’m building childlike faith in the process. Even though caving into the fear, and the ice cream, is a much more natural solution, I’m gaining spiritual muscle by spending time reading my study Bible and praying every day when I’d rather put it off. I’m letting God know that I’m eager to be used and that my character is forming. He can trust me with a specific assignment, big or small or in between.

Fear might stop by to say, “Hello,” from time to time, but it no longer stays the night. Faith is the sink-or-swim moment in all our stories, and maintaining trust in God and His voice is essential, like clean water. Fear is its counterpart, entirely dirty, dark, and toxic to the insides.

I know it seems daunting to step out in full faith, like being the first one in a relationship to confess those “three little words.” The fear of not being loved in return is terrible and haunting and sickening all at once. Yet somehow, you clear your throat, look the other person in the eye, and muster the courage to say, “I love you.” Why? Because there’s a slight chance that person might say, “I love you too,” making that leap of faith worth any future rejection. So as fearful as I might be today, I have a choice: I can believe God, or I can ignore His calls, continually sending them to voice mail. I hope I choose faith. That hour after hour, I look to God as intensely as my husband and I looked for his wedding ring in the middle of the electric-blue Caribbean waters. We never found the wedding ring, but we always find God when we keep searching for Him. “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8).

I hope with this newfound perspective—this shift from fear to faith—that my mindset grows stronger with experience and repetition. That the more I do it, the more confident I become in the process. Because when God trusts me with something, He never reveals all of the steps to take. Not for me not asking him 24/7 though. I’ve pleaded with Him many times for clarification, requesting details and fretting over the what-ifs. But still, He does not unveil anything else until He wants to, and it’s usually never when I’d like Him to. I know, I know. Faith wouldn’t be required if I knew all the answers ahead of time. It’s okay. I’m starting to appreciate that, or at the very least, I’ve become more used to it. Now when God speaks, I jump with what appears to be a hard landing and no net. Then, like clockwork, like Superman, He catches me at the very last second, easing my anxious mind and glorifying Himself in the process.

Taken from Glasses Off: Seeing God When Your Vision Is Gone by Ciara Laine Myers (Westbow).

Ciara Laine Myers the author of Glasses Off: Seeing God When Your Vision Is Gone. She loves her family and friends, and she loves to read. Like you, she’s not just one thing. She’s a mother and an award-winning business owner. You can find her in the pages of this book and in Prosper, Texas, where she lives with her husband Paul, her daughters Audri and Averi, and her dog Zoey.

Keep up with Ciara on Instagram at @ciaralainemyers

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