In February, the word “love” is everywhere. We see it on cards, in movies, and on candy hearts. But for the believer, love isn’t just a sentiment or a fleeting emotion; it is the very essence of who God is.

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” - 1 John 4:8

The Bible makes a powerful statement in 1 John 4:8: God is love. Notice it doesn’t just say God is “loving” (an adjective) or that He “loves” (a verb). It says He is love (a noun). This means that love didn’t start with us; it started with Him. He is the source, the definition, and the standard.

The world often defines love based on how someone makes us feel. We use is loosely when we say we love a pair of jeans or coffee. And we can easily fall out of love when someone or something else comes along that reignites that love feeling.

But God defines love by who He is. His love is steadfast, unchanging, and entirely unmerited. Before we ever did anything to deserve it, He was already the embodiment of Love.

If the “noun” of love is God’s nature, the “verb” of love is found at the Cross.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” - John 15:13

Here, Jesus shows us that love is sacrificial, a choice of the will. It is the act of seeing the greatest need of humanity and meeting it at the highest cost to Himself. This is the God is love difference from our human love. Our love often seeks to gain something, but God’s love always seeks to give everything.

Because God is love, and because Christ showed love, we as believers are called to the service of love.

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” - 1 John 4:11

Our love for others is not a performance to win God’s favor, but a natural overflow of knowing Him. It’s the ability to look at our neighbor, our coworker, or the stranger in the grocery store and see them through the lens of God’s perfect love.

This month, let’s challenge ourselves to move past the world’s version of love. Let’s look for ways to be “verb” people. Let’s live out the gracious and sacrificial love that can only come from a God who is Love itself.

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” - Psalm 20:4

When I’ve read this verse in the past, my focus immediately went to the success part. But what about the “desire of your heart”? What if the key to unlocking the right plans and the right success is first understanding what that desire truly is?

Many of us spend our lives searching for purpose, believing this is something outside of ourselves, or a hidden treasure we need to discover.

But what if God planted purpose in you at the very beginning?

For years, I was on a desperate search for my God-given purpose. I framed purpose in my mind as needing a “special talent” or having a “specific degree.” I spent a lot of time trying to develop an external skill when I should have been looking internally. I believed it was something clear, measurable, and marketable.

I saw others who were talented and confident in their work and often wondered, “How did they discover their purpose?” And then I doubted myself. “I don’t have a gift that stands out.”

This is the trap many of us fall into. We compare our unique design and life experiences to someone else’s, thinking our purpose needs to look a certain way or fit the world’s standard.

My turning point came when I stopped searching for a talent that was connected to “purpose” and leaned into desire.

I realized that my purpose wasn’t so much an obvious external talent but the innate desire to come alongside and encourage those who are struggling.

I remembered when I was young having a pull to help people overcome life’s hardships and experience true emotional healing. Although I never got the degree to live out that desire; I simply needed to use the gift of empathy and the talent for listening that God so generously poured on me.

If your purpose feels hidden or unattainable, stop trying to force an outcome and instead go back to the source. Your truest, deepest desire is God-given with an eternal purpose uniquely designed for you.

Ask yourself what brought you the most joy in your younger years? Consider focusing on what you are naturally skilled at, such as encouraging, teaching, serving, or organizing. Could these skills be used to solve a problem in your community that points directly to your deepest sense of compassion?

You can also find purpose by reflecting on what makes you come alive. It shows up in doing something you enjoy, where time flies and you feel most authentically doing what comes naturally. That feeling is often the Holy Spirit aligning you with your purpose.

God weaves His design for you into the fabric of your personality.

The desire of your heart is not something you have to force externally; it is a seed that God planted in you when He designed you. When you recognize it, receive it, nourish it and allow it to grow.

When we understand that the “desire of our heart” is simply the way our God-given purpose expresses itself, we can confidently pray Psalm 20:4, trusting that He will indeed grant it and cause all of our God given plans to succeed.

Don’t search for talent. Search for the desire. It’s already there.

Last Christmas season, as I was working on a writing project, I found myself doing more than just recalling the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. I envisioned myself inside that stable in Bethlehem. I went there with an open heart, asking God to show me more.

I didn’t enter that sacred place singing “O Come Let Us Adore Him” or “Silent Night”; my soul wanted to grasp the reality of God with us. That writing reflection turned into a profound moment of conviction.

As I closed my eyes, I pictured the classic nativity scene: Baby Jesus lying in the manger surrounded by the wise men, the shepherds, Mary, and Joseph. Off to the side were a few curious sheep and the infamous donkey. The brightness of the star seemed to illuminate a path inviting me to come closer toward the Newborn King. As I made my way, the details became unmistakably real.

The air felt thick with the heavy scent of straw, livestock, and earth. This was nothing but a lowly, stinky stable with old wooden beams covered in cobwebs.

With every step I took, the stable’s pungent scent intensified. It wasn’t until I looked into the eyes of the baby, the very Son of God, that I realized the true source of the overpowering odor. It was not the animals or what they left behind; it was me

Looking at Jesus with an open heart exposed the painful truth of my sin. In the bright, pure light of His holiness, even my best efforts are nothing but filthy rags.

The prophet Isaiah captured this perfectly:

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” (Isaiah 64:6 NIV)

In that moment of conviction, my heart broke, I fell to my knees and embraced God’s gift to me. This baby clothed in swaddling cloths was born to wash me clean and exchange my filthy rags for a robe of righteousness.

When we turn from our sin and receive God’s priceless gift, we are not only forgiven, but we are clothed in garments of salvation. This is the true gift of Christmas!

My sin, so powerfully felt at my Savior’s birth, immediately compelled me to look to the Cross. God’s love for us is so great that He willingly gave His One and only Son to bear all of our shame and sin. The King of kings was born in a manger, died on a hill, and triumphed over death leaving behind an empty tomb. We simply can’t experience one miraculous event without recounting the others.

The nativity scene is the evidence of God’s pursuit of mankind. He did not remain far off from our brokenness, but entered into the filth of our humanity to bring us back to Him. This Christmas, as you celebrate the birth of our Savior, I want to challenge you to enter the stable and ask God to show you more.

We live in a world that is constantly demanding more of us.

Do more.
Be more.
Make more.
Have more.

The more we add, the heavier our load.

More stress.
More expectations.
More anxiety.
More conflict.
More guilt.

We’re weary and burdened, and our soul—the deepest part of who we are—is exhausted and left empty.

It is into this very specific weariness that Jesus speaks one of the most comforting invitations in scripture:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

This isn’t just about taking the weekend off or going on a vacation; it’s an invitation for a complete rest for our soul.

Notice that Jesus doesn’t say, “Try harder, be better, earn more, and then you can rest.” He says, “Come to me… and I will give you rest.”

The rest Jesus offers is a gift, not a reward for doing more. It is available to all who are weary and burdened, no exceptions. He meets us right where we are—at the end of our rope, when we have nothing left, when our cup is dry.

What always got me about this verse is that to get this rest I need to take up something that sounds like work: a yoke. A yoke is a wooden beam placed over the shoulders of two oxen, linking them together to share the load. It’s a tool for work.

The truth is we are already carrying a heavy yoke and we are not sure how much longer we can sustain the crushing weight. Whether it’s raising a family on our own, working endless hours to make ends meet, struggling through hardships, or dealing with broken relationships, we’ve been trying to pull the entire burden of life, control, and expectations all by ourselves.

When Jesus invites us to take His yoke upon us, He is inviting us into a rest that is found in surrendering all the weight of this world for His perfect, custom-fit yoke.

His yoke is easy and His burden is light because when we are yoked to Him, we are yoked to God. He walks alongside us. He is stronger, and better able to pull the weight of our burden. Our work becomes a learning and growing experience.

This rest is found in the character of our Teacher. Jesus tells us to learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble in heart.

When we learn the posture of gentleness and humility from Jesus, our load lightens and we find the true source of rest. We realize that we don’t need more, we need Jesus. We realize that we can’t do it all, and that is okay, because our Lord can.

This is how you will find true rest for your souls. It’s the deepest, most permanent kind of peace available.

Jesus is calling out to you, “Come to me, my daughter.”

Accept His invitation and find rest for your soul.

Many years ago, I read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. The habit that had the greatest impact was: “Begin with the End in Mind.” This concept challenges us to live a life of purpose, considering our legacy and intentionally working toward it daily.

This also forces us to ask a difficult, but essential question: How will I be remembered after I die?

I am always moved by the one statement that could be an inscription on King David’s resting place.

“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep...” - Acts 13:36 (NIV)

It challenges me to ask myself, “Am I serving God’s purpose for my own generation?”

Notice how Luke doesn’t mention David’s wealth, fame, or failures. It boils down his entire existence to one calling: Serving God’s purpose in his own generation.

This is how our lives gain true, lasting meaning—we find our purpose through serving. We are all created for a specific purpose for our own generation—a purpose far bigger than our job title, our bank account, or our social media following.

This focus on serving is not just a lesson from an Old Testament king; it is the essential lesson from Christ Himself. Jesus modeled this perfectly:

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Mark 10:45

If the Son of Man came to serve, how can we, His followers, expect our purpose to be found in any other way?

The reality is, we spend so much time chasing shallow goals, mindless scrolling, or binge-watching. These temporary things will never leave a lasting impact on those around us.

David’s purpose involved leading a nation, writing psalms, and fighting giants. Your purpose might involve raising faithful children, teaching a skill, mentoring a young mother, or conquering the giants of your own life and then helping others do the same. We must be willing to be used in every season of life.

And then David “fell asleep.” Our time is limited; we don’t know how much sand is left in our hourglass. Every day you spend distracted by the things of the world is another day you are not living out your divine God-given purpose.

Pray for discernment and an open heart to know what your purpose is in this season of life and step into your intended role.

Let’s live a life so intentional, so directed, and so impactful that when our time comes, the most fitting thing that can be said about us is: She served God’s purpose in her own generation.

Start serving God’s purpose today by being faithful in the little things you know you should be doing.

Now go, live your purpose, with purpose!

This powerful quote first found me during a season of intense group therapy, as I worked to heal from childhood trauma. At a crossroads, I could either drop out to avoid the painful work or persevere toward the freedom I knew was possible.

I chose to blossom.

Now, I feel that familiar pull again. It is more painful to stay quiet than it is to speak up. Though the world can feel out of control, I must remember that not everyone has experienced the hope I have found through a personal relationship with Jesus. 

I think of Saul, who, before he was set apart by God, believed he was honoring Him by persecuting Christians. Today, many people hold similar convictions—not out of malice, but because they simply cannot see the Truth.

In Acts 9, we read that it wasn't until the scales fell from Saul's eyes that he was able to see—not just physically, but for the first time, through the eyes of the Spirit of God.

So yesterday I was thinking about these scales that blinded Saul, that kept Judas in darkness and continue to deceive many.  

I want to share some insights, or let me just say some reminders, as to why some continue to walk in deception and darkness. 

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:4: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This verse suggests that a spiritual blindness, caused by the enemy, prevents people from seeing the Truth of the gospel. 

And in John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This is another reminder that Jesus is the only path to God, and without Him, people simply cannot see the way.

Makes me wonder if I didn't give my life to Jesus as a 17-year-old, what side would I be on today. 

Another barrier to seeing the Truth is the reliance on worldly wisdom that continues to keep people in darkness. In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul writes, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

This truth continues in 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 stating, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

What the world considers wise is seen as foolish by God. Worldly wisdom rather than God’s wisdom is a major scale.

There are a lot of false teachings and this is why it is crucial to not only know the word but the God of the word. 

When you do this you live for God and not for yourself. The Bible is clear about what it looks like in living for oneself and living for Christ. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 provides a detailed description: "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power."

These verses scream narcissism, which has become a form of idolatry in our culture. It is a false god, much like the one that blinded Judas into betraying the Son of God .

Think about someone in your life who is blinded by these heavy scales. It’s not our job to determine if they are a Saul or a Judas, so instead of passing judgment, let's pray for them. Ask the Holy Spirit to soften their heart or to shake up their life, just as He did for Saul. And then be prepared to be an Ananias in their life.

So, what will you choose today? The risk towards blossoming or the pain that comes with remaining where you are?

As I try to process all that has recently taken place and the fact that people can celebrate the assassination of a person who lived by his convictions with a life purpose of making the world a better place, brought me to the cross.

Jesus was publicly beaten, tortured, ridiculed, and spit on.

Many just stood there watching.

He hung on the cross with criminals on either side of him, with one of them hurling insults at him.

And many just stood there watching.

Even when rulers were sneering at him and when the soldiers mocked him.

Many just stood there watching.

In His deepest suffering, He didn’t respond with anger or judgment but with a prayer for their forgiveness.

His prayer wasn’t just for the soldiers and the crowd; it was for us, also.

As we recount the way Jesus suffered, don't forget that this evil is not new to the world.

It just hit home on a personal level. 

Instead of fighting evil the way the world does, we can live by the words of Christ. We are called to pray for our enemies and for those who persecute us, because they, more than anyone, need Jesus.

Prayer is a powerful weapon

and

so

is

FORGIVENESS.

So we can either stand by watching, scrolling, commenting…or humble ourselves on our knees, pray for our country, those around us and do the work our Lord Jesus commissioned us to do. 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”~ Matthew 28:19-20

In the flesh we can’t do this, only through the Holy Spirit can we do the supernatural. 

We will always need Jesus!