I heard someone express frustration with the time it took to enter their calling. With restlessness, they exclaimed, "You'd think by now, I would have gotten somewhere. I don't understand why God is holding out on me?" From their perspective, the Lord’s intentions should be immediate. This individual couldn't understand why the Lord hadn‘t already released his destiny. He saw this sense of uncertainty as an indictment against him. In his mind, the Lord was displeased and was judging him. As the future seemed less certain, uncomfortable questions had to be entertained.

Who am I and where do I belong? These are fundamental questions everyone is forced to answer. I think there are captivating observations in the following biblical story. Amid a terrible battle, the enemy surged. The King of Israel—Saul—and his son—Jonathan—were slain in battle. As the news of this defeat reached the people, confusion arose, and everybody scrambled. Sadly, the grandson of the slain king was maimed in this process. “Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled” (2 Samuel 4:4).

I encountered a loud, overpowering man one time. He wanted everyone to come into alignment with his thoughts and opinions. This man wasn’t interested in establishing a relationship, he just wanted his way. This is the type of attitude we see on social media and in other public forums. Many think everyone should be in sync with their mode of thinking. They have no room for anyone else’s opinions. Christians have discovered a life-changing, world-transforming message they naturally want to share with others. However, those who love Jesus don’t want to come across as harsh. They want to share what they’ve encountered, but not seem so overbearing. It’s not always easy to know the best approaches, but, fortunately, the Bible shows us the way.

Scandalous things took place in the Garden of Eden generations ago. Sin entrapped the world—eroding the beauty and purposes of God. I don’t think most families grasp all that fell apart due to this. When God spoke to the woman after the fall, He conceded there was a conflict between her and her husband. He said, “You will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you” (Genesis 3:16). The ravages of sin sparked a war in the household. Parties who pledged to love each other now encounter conflict and contention. This verse acknowledges that wives might endeavor to control, but—because of the brute strength and temperament of the man—they would not triumph. Through self-centered schemes, their husbands often gain the upper hand.

Bring God's goodness to Kansas City and around the globe. When you encounter God, experience transformation, and grow in Jesus, the next step is becoming a blessing to others. A fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ knows they are called to touch the lives of many people in their world and beyond.

Learn to live and love like Jesus in community with others. God never intended for His sons or daughters to be alone. He designed us to flourish and find our ultimate sense of meaning within the context of the community. The Lord declared to an isolated man in the Garden of Eden, "It is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). He also inspired the great sage, Solomon, to write, "Two are better than one" (Ecclesiastes 4:9). In the greater revelation of the New Testament, it is affirmed that “when two or three come together, the Lord will come down in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). 

Let God love you as you are and change you for good. It’s important to have powerful encounters with the Lord, but we must also let him change us. We weren’t made to just gaze upon the Lord, but to also be changed in His glory.  We’re so grateful God is actively pursuing us— despite our foolishness and sin. The Bible says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NIV). The Lord is helping us learn the power of sonship and our new identity in Christ.

Everyone deserves a chance to meet God! Meet God as He is, unfiltered. Powerful experiences defined the ancients. Adam and Eve encountered God in the cool of the evening. They walked with Him face-to-face (Genesis 3:8).