In the darkest moments, when I had no hope,

there you were.

in my anxious fear, sadness and confusion,

there you were

when I turned and ran, away from You,

there you were

I ran and ran, to everything else, it left my soul empty with doubt

my heart hard and my tongue cursed, my mind restless and my body hurt

I left myself alone and lonely with no way to bear

but there you were

Your hand, Your rod, Your staff, Your voice, they comfort me. with peace and poise, my eyes shut, I breathe my last, I open up and…

there You are.

Hayden

Come Holy Spirit.

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You have probably heard something along these lines at some point in your life.

You’re too much.
Too intense.
Too emotional.
Too passionate.

Or maybe it’s the opposite.

You’re not enough.
Not loud enough.
Not articulate enough.
Not emotional enough.

Some of those voices come from others, parents, friends, spouses, etc.

But some of them come from inside you.

Maybe yours sounds like this:

You’re too far behind. Everyone else is ahead.
Look at their marriage. Their body. Their platform. Their prayer life.
You should be further.

Or these from the enemy Satan:

You should be over this by now.
You’re still struggling with that sin?
You’re still insecure?
You will never measure up.

All of which are stating the same lies.

• You are not finished.

• You are not clean.

• You are not enough.

• There is still more you must do to earn.

And if I am honest, I have believed every single one of those.

Pastor and Author John Mark Comer says, “You are not what you do. You are not what you have. You are not what others say about you. You are the beloved of God.”

The first part of our verse, “After, He had provided purification for sins…” shows the act is a finishing act in the past tense. One that has happened and is done. I believe it is a foreshadowing to the author of Hebrews writing in Chapter 10: “For by one sacrifice, He has made perfect, forever those who are being made holy.”

This great paradox.

At one moment we are made perfect, seen by the Father, but still a very real aspect of sanctification or being made holy. That day we are fully Holy is not until the day that we die.

But how is that done?

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” — James 1:4

Suffering and perseverance is one of the many ways.

In addition, Peter lists out multiple qualities in 2 Peter 1 exhorting and writing in honesty to the audience.

The qualities are:

• faith

• goodness

• knowledge

• self-control

• perseverance

• godliness

• mutual affection

• love

Peter states that if we grow in these qualities, we will be useful and fruitful. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

“For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.” — 2 Peter 1:9

So, by the logic of this verse, when we walk in these qualities, or through suffering and perseverance, we are remembering our purification from our former sins.

The phrase of Jesus seated in heaven is mentioned over 30+ times throughout the New Testament. It is important we do not just breeze over this.

Jesus sitting is significant for the sheer fact that He completed the purification of our sins. It also shows Jesus’ ultimate position at the right hand of the Father. Jesus is above all else, there is no rival, no competitors, the throne is His. Christ is superior.

Remember what we talked about last week? How we are to be co-heirs with Christ?

“and raised us up with him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” — Ephesians 2:6

Unbelievable? Confusing? Encouraging? All the things, right?

In the mornings, I like to verbally remind myself:

“Jesus came, Jesus lived, Jesus died, Jesus rose, and Jesus will come back again”

One thing I am going to add, “Jesus is seated on the right hand.”

Gentle reminders, creating lasting understanding.

We are in a fight, one that we are not alone in and one that we do not bear on our shoulders. We do not fight for victory, we are fighting from victory. We are fighting from the place that our Savior already led us to.

God is telling a story with your life. Step into it.

God wants to speak to you, use you, be apart of your life. Step into it.

May the Lord bless this to your eyes and ears.

To Him be the glory forever and ever,

Hayden

Discussion

• Where are you still trying to do the work yourself?

• Peter says we can “forget” our purification (2 Peter 1:9). What practices or reminders help you remember that you’ve already been cleansed and are growing from acceptance, not for it?

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We remember from the last couple weeks/verses, Jesus is the possessor of everything and everything is created through Him. We will add onto that today with the first part of verse 3.

• Verse 2: shows Jesus’ divinity

• Verse 3: shows Jesus’ divinity

• Verse 4: shows Jesus’ divinity

• Verse 5: shows Jesus’ divinity

I don’t want to spoil it—but there is plenty more as well.

Quick points if you do not read anything past this:

• Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory

• Jesus is the expressed image of God’s glory

• The Word of God upholds all things.

Well what is shining?

The Glory of God, according to our verse above. And if the glory of God is shining, then that is, in-turn, another exemplified statement of Jesus’ divinity. This is the intensity this book brings…

Well what is the Glory of God? (not limited to)

• His Mercy

• His Justice

• His Love

• His Power

• His Beauty

• His Holiness

• His Majesty

There is no comparison to God’s glory, we can try with words, but there is no end.

We have several other quotes from John iterating this point. Here are 2.

"In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” — John 1:4

“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” — John 1:9

This phrase also comes up frequently in the Old Testament literature. Here are 2.

“For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life” — Psalm 56:13

“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” — Micah 7:8

Bringing these two together, we see what Jesus means when he says “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

The light of life, for He is the Way, the Truth, The Life (John 14:6).

Exact Representation of His Being

I love the phrase “exact representation of His being.” I think it captures a complex idea in a phrase. Depending on the translation, you can have different phrases for this part of the verse. One greek scholar said “exact imprint” and this has stuck with me. How Jesus is the exact imprint of the nature of God. Sometimes we can forget the lovely complexity of Jesus’ being. Fully God, Fully man.

Re-iterating the point from last week…If Jesus is the exact imprint of God’s being, then He cannot be a created being.

Discipleship to Jesus changes everything. Jesus’ teachings, life, healings, values, all teach us unique things. And, we should be moved to look more like Christ in all of it. Tim Keller said “The gospel is not just about individual salvation. It is about the renewal of the whole world.”

Sustaining All things By His Powerful Word

The same powerful Word through whom all things were made is the Word who sustains. Sustaining is such a powerful word. If I am sustaining something, I am actively doing things to maintain or keep up with. But if I stop, then whatever I was sustaining, is suddenly changing. The Triune God is actively sustaining us.

David Platt elaborates “Everything created by the Word of God and not just created, UPHELD right now, you and I and everything we see around us, they’re all upheld by the Word of Jesus, who is God by the Word of His power.”

Men, if this is all true, if Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory, the exact imprint of His being and able to sustain all things through his word—then we do not get to casually follow him.

The same voice that said, “Let there be light”, is the same voice that says “Follow me.”

The same Word through whom all things were made is the Word who says,
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Everything changes.

Jesus being the exact representation of God shows us what strength really is.

You are being sustained by Christ Himself. There is joy in the surrender. I pray you find it.

To Him be the glory forever and ever,

Hayden

Discussion

• If Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory, what would it look like for you to reflect that glory in your home, work, or friendships?

• Where in your life do you most need to be reminded that Jesus is sustaining all things by His powerful word?

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Lord, prepare our hearts, we are Yours.

The Son of God existed before His birth from Mary and was very much in the process of creation of all things. The verse above says that the universe was made through Jesus Christ.

John 1:1 tells us “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” From this verse we can trust that Jesus was very much a part of the story before the beginning that we know. Sometimes we portray Jesus Christ to be the fallback or alternative plan. No, that is incorrect. Jesus was the plan from the beginning. There is no contingency plan, the beautiful Triune God is and has been in utmost control from the very beginning.

And in John 8, Jesus makes a very clear and direct claiming of divinity.

“Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” — John 8:56-57

Ego eimi is the term Jesus uses here for “I am.” Do not overthink this, Jesus is directly referring to Exodus 3:14 where Yahweh gives His name to a wondering Moses. Notice how Jesus does not say “Before Abraham was, I was”, Jesus has no beginning. Why? Because He is giving a declarative statement of divinity “I am the beginning.”

Isaiah 44 attests to this, “I the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by myself and spreading out the earth all alone…” He is “alone” because the Trinity is One, Triune God. It is one divine essence.

This same truth is also revealed in the very first chapter of Genesis: “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky…” (v.26).

“Us, Our, Our”, the Triune God from the very start.

I want to start wrapping up these truths and take them into the first part of our Hebrews 1 verse. Let us look at Colossians 1 as a way to do that.

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” — Colossians 1:16-18

Here we see what the Author of Hebrews is referring to when they write “whom He appointed heir of all things.” First place is for Jesus and no one else. Inheritance, gifting, anointing, and appointing are all words that show up throughout the Bible. Some mean similar things, some are different. Appointing means to set, put, place, or to establish and ordain. The greek word tithēmi is used in both literal and figurative moments. In all of the different definitions, and literal or figuratively, Jesus fulfills this “appointed” moment.

Jesus says in Matthew 28 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (v.18). Then again while Jesus is praying, Jesus says He has been given authority of all flesh (John 17:2). Jesus then says “All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you” —John 16:15

Shew. Lots of quotes right there. I am using several to show how imperative it is to know and not only know, but to trust. We can have a great deal of trust in our God, that is what He wants from us.

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As if there was not already enough verses to blow our minds, and ability to comprehend, I want to share a last one. Think about what we have seen already. We know Jesus is the beginning, through Him all things are created, He is heir of all things, has power over all, and defeated death for the purpose of reconciliation and relationship.

The heir of all things shares His inheritance.

That is the freedom, the confidence that God wants us to walk in. God is sharing with us His glory. God wants us to be co-heirs! How amazing and unbelievable is that? I cannot fathom it, but God wants that. This is something I know in my head but walking through how that changes my day to day living. Peter says that our inheritance is imperishable, it cannot spoil or fade, and that it is reserved in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4). This inheritance has been set out for us. This is a priceless inheritance, one that we cannot imagine or experience any better.

Men, I pray you see what God desires for you, to do with you, and what He wants to do through you.

We are called to be co-heirs with Christ, let’s walk in the strength that brings. Ruminate on this. Co-heirs with the One who has everything.

I am praying these truths penetrate to your heart.

Live today as if you are co-heir, walk in the joy that brings, because ultimately it is God and His beautiful glory.

To Him be the glory, forever and ever,

Hayden

Discussion

• What would it actually look like to live this week as a co-heir with Christ?

• If Jesus truly is “heir of all things,” what does that change about how we view power, success, and influence in our own lives?

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• “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1

• “The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.” — Leviticus 1:1

• “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” — Job 1:1

• “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” — Matthew 1:1

• “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1

• “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son... ” — Hebrews 1:1-2a

• “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” — 1 John 1:1

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So many of the Old Testament prophets started their writings with an explanation of how the Lord spoke to them. In the New Testament, Paul, introduced himself. But in Hebrews, we do not get that. Their are a lot of different opinions on who wrote the book of Hebrews. However, we can assume that the book of Hebrews author was respected and accredited at the time, because of the validation of being categorized in the cannon. It is also really interesting to think that the author of Hebrews calls this out immediately, saying “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways..” (v. 1) and the hammer is the following information of Jesus Christ. All of Hebrews 1 is an absolute workhorse to the gospel, a heavy hitter, a clear yet rich set of Scripture. We have talked about how “Jesus is the better ____” and this continues.

The author of Hebrews is saying Jesus is better than all other ways God has shown and communicated. We are going from messengers to Messiah, from knowledge of Him to shedding His blood.

I have often said “I wish God would just speak to me" and sometimes I feel convicted knowing how much God has spoke already. Can God speak in supernatural ways? Yes. Can God speak in uniquely simple ways? Yes. Has God already spoke in flesh through the words of Jesus Christ? Yes!

Prophets were messengers of God’s word, they were not perfect, and they were sinful just as you and me. However, God used them in mighty ways. Let’s distinguish the difference between messengers and the Messiah.

• When prophets carried given words // Jesus carried words in fullness

• When prophets pointed others forward // Jesus pointed others forward and inward to Himself

• When prophets were faithful in great ways // Jesus was faithful in every way in perfection

• When prophets spoke of Jesus’ coming // Jesus came and died, and resurrected.

“In these last days” (Heb. 1:1) is simply referring to days after Jesus, knowing Jesus is going to return soon, then the author lands a HUGE plane, saying “but in these last days, he has spoken to us by his son.” Each prophet paved a way, each prophecy being a testament to Christ, each piece of Scripture, holding truths of Jesus Christ. Now, coming into fullness, God spoke by His son.

God self-disclosed Himself in plain sight, in flesh and blood. Yet, He was still not understood, still not respected, and still not accepted. Thus, Christ being killed.

I want you to know that Yeshua, Jesus Christ, our Messiah, has come in flesh and blood for you. Do you see the pursuit God has for His people? He wants you. He wants you deeply. He wants you so much that He came to live a life of perfection so we can have reconciliation. Do you believe that?

I pray that we do not become numb to the gospel and I pray that while you read this, you come to a rekindled fire of understand of God’s sacrifice.

May God bless you, Men.

To Him be the glory forever, and ever,

Hayden

Discussion

• What does it look like to become numb to the gospel, and how can we guard against that drift?

• Which phrase resonates more with you right now: “God has spoken” or “God is still speaking”? Why do you think that is?

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It has been awhile. When I started writing these, I wanted to make sure that what I was writing was genuine and thought out. I told myself that I would take a break if life got busy and it began to feel like I was forced to finish a blog every Friday. So, with the past month and a half needing more of my time elsewhere, this was put on the back burner, temporarily.

Thank you for your patience, and genuinely, thank you for being here.

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I have been ruminating on this lyric: “May the Lamb receive His reward in me” from the song Lamb. I cannot tell you guys how much I have thought about this, it has overtaken the better part of my last week. It’s followed me through quiet moments, prayer, work, and worship. How many times have I sang that without understanding the full meaning. Dozens upon dozens. Maybe you have done the same, maybe not. I want to share what I have learned from my contemplation, with you.

What does the “May the Lamb receive his reward in me” mean?

It is a both/ and

On one hand it is a cry for salvation in:

May our souls be reconciled with Jesus the Christ through the suffering of the cross

On the other hand it is a cry of surrender in:

May I live a life worthy of the death of Jesus the Christ

THIS IS WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO: RECONCILE, REDEEM, AND RESTORE

I want to break this down even more.

“May the Lamb” = Let Jesus Christ on the cross

“Receive his reward in me” = have what He desires in me

Let Jesus Christ on the cross have what He desires in me.

He desires a relationship in reconciliation (your soul) and obedience (worship). Please do not hear what I am not saying, I am not coming to this as legalistic, I am coming at it from Jesus wants you to follow His teachings because they are what leads to a life of fruitfulness and eternally fulfilling.

Do you believe that Jesus wants you? That Jesus wants the best for you? Do you believe that Jesus on the Cross shed His blood for you? I wonder what would change if that goes from head knowledge in us to heart.

In 1732, two young Moravian missionaries, Johann Dober and David Nitschmann, became burdened with a concern for the enslaved people of the Danish West Indies. They believed that every human being bears the image of God and that the gospel of Jesus belongs wherever that image is found, especially among those the world forgets. The enslaved people of St. Thomas lived under brutal conditions. Plantation owners feared Christianity because they understood its implications. The gospel speaks of freedom. It refuses to leave systems untouched. Because of this fear, missionaries were forbidden from speaking with the slaves. Only slaves were allowed to talk with slaves. The story is often told that they were chained, loaded onto a ship as cargo, and as the harbor disappeared behind them, they cried out, “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.” The Moravians were not driven by impact, legacy, or success. May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering. In our obedience. In our surrender. In lives fully given to God.

God has bought us, He wanted us. This is the gospel.

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” - Acts 20:28

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” - 1 Peter 1:18-19

Back in Genesis we see correlations to this imagery. Genesis 22:8 says, “Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.””

Abraham received a reward in his obedience (v. 18) and in the same picture with Yahweh, we see the fullness of the Trinity receiving a reward after providing His Son as the spotless Lamb. What a beautiful picture.

We will be back on regular schedule next week walking through verses—excited to be back in the rhythm with you guys.

May God stir up in your soul what it means to live a life worthy of the cross.

To Him be the glory forever and ever,

Hayden

Discussion

• When you pray or sing, “May the Lamb receive His reward in me,” what parts of your life feel genuinely surrendered? And what parts do you instinctively protect or withhold? Why?

• What does faithful surrender look like in your context right now, not in theory, but in practice?

Here is the link to the song:

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Holy Spirit Come.

This week I am going to go back to my childhood city and it will be the first time that I have to stay in a hotel. This is not because of the fact that I am married or because of space—but because I do not have a home in that city anymore. My childhood home is now sold, and a new family is in there. Praise God. Pray for them, pray for a renewal of the walls. But while I have been processing what it will be like staying in a hotel; it ultimately led me to Jesus’ feet. I have come to remind myself that this is not my home, I have an eternal home with an eternal Father that awaits.

I am coming to accept that was my house, but not my home.

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Let’s go back a little.

I used to be so afraid of death. I remember I was at my first overnight camp. The rapper Flame was performing and pre-teen Hayden was loving it. Then somewhere I heard about death and I would start to ponder about the “what if’s?” This would turn into a cycle.

I would sprial —> Someone would try to say something to help —> It would make it worse.

I understand how people try to describe eternal but boy, we have to be careful with our words. *I am typing this with a smile*

I could not grasp death.

Why would we die? Why would we have to spend eternity somewhere else? Why do we have to die? What about our family and friends?

I could not comprehend heaven, because in my head, heaven was here on earth.

Over the next several years, I started to become aware of how earth is not perfect, my family is broken, friends aren’t all great, and there’s more to life than athletic accomplishments.

Don’t get me wrong, there is something sweet—maybe even beautiful to me not wanting to leave my family, my people, my home. But the more I learned about the world and the more I learned about Jesus, my ideas just swapped. I became fearful of the world (in a healthy way) and started to look forward to Heaven. It is very similar to becoming aware of your sin. At first, sin is tasteful, filling, enjoyable and you become more and more disgusted, opposed, and realize it is distasteful and evil.

It is a death to the worldly desires.

When I ponder on death, I always find myself coming back to how monks view death. Christian monks place a skull on there desk to remind themselves of the death and create a disconnect from the world. In other traditions, in the mornings, monks will walk together past the cemetery. They often keep a dug grave open, symbolizing it can be any one of them next.

Talk about sobering.

Are we going to walk past a cemetery every morning and contemplate if we will be the next one in there? Probably not.

But, what if we shifted our mind to believing what Paul says to the Corinthians:

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands” — 2 Corinthians 5:1

There is a beautiful thing called the The Law of First Mention in biblical studies. It is essentially finding the foundational meaning in said word in the first time it was recorded. With that being said we can tell a lot about the depth and even foreshadow of the word.

The word Paul uses here for “house” is οἰκία or oikia. And the very first time this word is used is in Matthew 2:11— “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

The wise men go into the house, see Jesus as a baby with his mother. They fall to the ground and worship! They were overwhelmed with the presence of Jesus, and their reaction is to worship. And, that will be our experience in Heaven too.

So Paul is saying to the Corinthians, this temporary house our body lives in will be destroyed, but we have an eternal oikia or home that we will fall and worship the feet of God in.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” — Matthew 6:19

This world is corrupt, it is broken, it is evil. Even with all of that, Yahweh’s glory shines through like the sun (Isaiah 60:1).

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” — John 8:12

I can grieve the loss of a house and the memories attached but the life God has provided and promises me, overdoes anything this world can offer. Whatever you are holding on to, whatever seems like your home outside of the Kingdom of Heaven, I pray that God gently reveals your true home, your dwelling place.

We are to bring as much of Heaven as we can possibly bring, here to earth. If we are in Christ Jesus, Heaven is our home, and through the Holy Spirit, we can display that here on earth.

So let the way you live be a testament to the confidence of an eternal home.

To Him be the glory forever, and ever.

Thanks for reading,

Hayden

Discussion:

• How does the idea that “this world is not our home” change the way we view our relationships, possessions, and ambitions here on earth?

• What practices or reminders help you stay focused on God’s promises rather than worldly distractions?

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Over the past two months—life, work, school, all have been at a constant ebb and flow of stress and workload. Nothing new; that is normal for all of us. But amid those ebbs and flows, there is a constant steadfastness that the Lord provides. This makes me think of a multitude of verses, stories and ideas…

The Steadfast Father

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast in you, because they trust in you” — Isaiah 26:3

“…surely goodness and mercy will follow me all of my days…” — Psalm 23

Yahweh is in a steadfast pursuit of us, eagerly wanting His children to return home. He longs for reconciliation of His beloved. Will we take Him up on that?

I think of the picture of a Father teaching his child a skill— throwing a baseball, hammering a nail, the list goes on. The child will (likely) not be good at these skills prior to the father teaching. So then the parent is the teacher, the guide, the guardian. The father will hopefully not be angry, shaming, or negative. Rather, he may be patient.

That is Yahweh.

Jesus’ patience throughout the New Testament is incredible and it demonstrates His Father’s.

^“Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” — John 5:19

A Patient Pursuit.

“The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 AM for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access” — Tim Keller

I think about this quote a lot my friends, a lot. What better picture of patience than a King being woke up at 3:00AM from a child.

Patient Practice of Love

A verse that is read at almost every wedding.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud”

— 1 Corinthians 13:4

If this verse is true, then that means:

• Patient is love

• Patient is kind

You might be saying, well of course. But seriously, think about this. If love is patient and kind, then patience is love and patience is kind. So why is it so hard to demonstrate patience? Sometimes you are able to be patient easily and others, you act as if you are on a short fuse.

Patient at the Cross

At Jesus’ crucifixion, the time where, if He wanted— He had every right to be angry, loud, inpatient, and unkind. He chose the oppisite saying “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing” — Luke 23:34

Living out His teachings earlier:

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”

— Matthew 5:44

The word for love that is used here is agapaō or agape.

C.S. Lewis describes this love as he states: “This is our chief aim, the unconditional love of the Father given to us through his Son.”

Which is different from the sexual love, friendship love, and affectionate or family love.

Formative Patience

Brothers, our generation is addicted to immediacy. We want things fast and now. We live in a hurry of selfishness rather than a patience of love. However, so much of this Pilgrimage of our faith journey is long, slow, and hidden. Discipleship and formation often happens behind the curtains. Same with giving and serving.

When no one claps. When no one posts. When no one acknowledges. When it feels like nothing is changing.

That is often exactly where everything is changing my friend.

We are trained for acceleration through Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, successes, validation, etc.

Jesus teaches us how to abide, patiently.

Scripture is rich and plentiful. I pray that there is something today, this week that makes you smile ear to ear with the joy of the Lord from this revelation we get to read every day.

We must remember patience is:

• ultimate trust

• faith in what is at hand of the Father

• surrender

• merciful

Patience is formative.

Thanks for reading.

To Him be the glory forever, and ever,

Hayden

Discussion:

• Where in your life right now is God inviting you to slow down?

• How do you typically respond to waiting — with control or with communion//What might it look like to see waiting not as punishment, but as formation?

• When have you experienced the Father’s patience toward you personally?

• What practices could help you build “well-worn paths” into God’s presence this week?
  (Think: prayer rhythms, memorization, Sabbath, silence, Scripture meditation. The slow habits that grow depth.)

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“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

— 2 Corinthians 7:10

My brother Hayden wrote that repentance is a gift — something granted by God. That’s true and the article was so good, if you haven’t already, I encourage you to read it as this builds on that. In part two, I want to focus on repentance as also something grown by God. Where Hayden explored the definition of repentance, I want to explore the process of it and what it looks like when a person begins to live daily in repentance.

Dallas Willard said repentance is “rethinking your strategy for living.” It’s not just turning away from sin, it’s learning to think, desire, and love in the Kingdom of God. I’ve been learning a lot about this from Romans, Ephesians, and Dallas Willard. So I’m going to use all three sources. It’s blowing my mind.

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1. Living a Life of Repentance

“We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with… so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” — Romans 6:6

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” — Colossians 3:2

Romans 6 reminds us: repentance is not a one-time act but a lifestyle of dying and rising. For me, this often looks like confronting my old patterns — for example sexual sin. I’ve found that obsessing over sin only strengthens its hold. As Willard said, “We fail in our efforts to resist evil because we focus upon the evil itself and do not set our minds on the good that is to replace it.”

When we focus on the flesh, we descend deeper into it. The way out is not more striving but more surrender, to flee and fix our minds on heaven, which can be defined as God’s presence here and now. Heaven isn’t somewhere far off; it’s where God reigns. You can live in Heaven now. Jesus did that for you. We still have our flesh that is difficult to fend off, but this is the journey towards God of increase in happiness, freedom, and overall peace and joy, brought by sacrifice of the flesh.

For example, if you kill the flesh by cooperating with the Holy Spirit’s power and God given desire of Him, you will never die.

Those in Christ will never die.

He defeated death. We have to join him in dying to our flesh now, then when it comes time to die on this earth, we are more of the spirit than of our flesh, and we don’t die. We continue living forever. A good question to ponder the seriousness of repentance living, a life after God’s own heart, is people often ask what is your 5 year plan. A better question…what is your 500 year plan?

2. Noticing the Movements of the Heart

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” — Psalm 139:23–24

True repentance begins with awareness. The Spirit invites us to notice our hearts where irritation, lust, self-pity, or fear begin to form. These inner movements, left unseen, become actions. Willard taught that spiritual formation starts with the renovation of thought and desire. Repentance, then, is becoming curious about what’s happening in your heart — not condemning it, but bringing it into the light of God’s presence.

A good practice I have is to write down during the day or go back during your morning time or mid day or as you are going to bed and reflect on negative emotion. Like anxiety, fear, sadness, anger. Those are normally sources where I’m living in sin believing a lie. Living in sin is not something I feel bad about most of the time, it’s not about shame. For me, when I’m healthy, I am pumped about this reflection time of repentance because my life sucks in a certain way from negative emotion, and I’m waiting to figure out why that is, and let God solve it and heal me. Then I’m happier! Now, sometimes I’m sad and it’s good sadness. That’s different. And I’m sure that’s true for other negative emotions. However those are deeply fulfilling times, rather than the times I’m talking about reflecting on.

Most of the time, doing the emotional wheel and talking to God about why I felt this way, uncovering the lie in prayer that I’m believing, leads to deep kindness of God entering my soul. It’ll be things like I felt anxiety, and what’s really happening is that I feel worthless because I’m not doing enough at work. The lie I was believing is that I was worthless, and that I needed something on this earth to make it fill that hole. If I let God repair that, he says I’m worthwhile for his time, even his masterpiece, I care way less about this world and don’t need work to feel worthwhile. Maybe I’ll still work hard and that’s a good thing, but I begin to do it with him instead of being on my own. It’s a good shift. Most of the times I yell at my wife or get frustrated with a kid or have negative emotion, are because I am believing I am alone or worthless. God is kinder to me than that thanks be to him. Then, I end up in his peace and joy. What a better place to live!!

3. God’s Gentleness and the Inside-Out Work

“First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” — Matthew 23:26

“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” — Matthew 5:28

God does not expose everything at once. He is gentle. He reveals sin layer by layer, not to shame us, but to heal us. Jesus’ teaching on adultery wasn’t about moral policing rather about exposing where sin really begins! In the imagination and in desire.

When we only change external behaviors, pride often grows in the hidden spaces. But when the inside is washed and when the heart is softened, the outside naturally follows. Real repentance doesn’t just change what you do; it changes what you want.

You then become the kind of person who wouldn’t think about lusting. This is crazy to say, but it’s true if you follow this path. Jesus made it clear. If you focus on not lusting, it’s not going to go anywhere. You are living in evil. If you focus on renewing your mind on christ, placing heaven (God’s presence) before you, memorizing his scripture, thinking of him, slowly (and slowly is important this does not happen overnight, sin happens overnight) you will become more like Jesus.

This slow is important. Sin is fast and fun at first and then all of a sudden, you’re in a deep dark pit wondering what happened. It starts so small! People that cheat on their wife don’t start with that. They start with years of compromises that are small and grow. Spiritual life is the opposite. It starts with not much fruit in the beginning, just not comprising on small things and not feeling prideful about it, or when you do, repenting for that. I have to do that a lot. But, then you find yourself is this beautiful pasture where you no longer have the same chains you used to, and your desire is totally different. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit. The work of us is to set our mind on Christ and cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Where is God moving in you and follow that.

4. Discipled by Jesus Himself

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” — Matthew 11:29

Like Hayden said last week, repentance is not merely saying “sorry” it’s stepping into apprenticeship under Jesus. Willard wrote that discipleship is “learning from Jesus how to live your actual life as he would if he were you.” Repentance is the posture of the learner: humble, eager, and unhurried. We don’t just confess sin; we train in righteousness through His Spirit.

5. How Repentance Heals Relationships

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” — James 5:16

“If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.” — 1 John 1:7

Repentance heals what sin fractures — intimacy. A life of repentance restores both our relationship with God and with others. When you confess honestly, humility replaces self-protection. In marriage, friendships, and families, repentance opens the door for love to breathe again.

I try to practice this in my own home. When a father admits where he’s wrong, freedom ripples through the family. Children learn that the good life isn’t perfection but it’s humility. Instead of praying at the dinner table for your family, tell them sorry for something you did wrong in front of them or that you’re learning personally you did wrong, and that God heals you when you repent. Maybe others will follow maybe not, but they’ll be led by love and strength from their Dad.

This is amazing to be able to repent to friends that receive you with God’s love. “Greet each other as if they are Christ.” I pray that you would develop friendships this way.

I have a couple friends this way, and additionally my wife, and they are such a source of deep encouragement to me. Those took years of developing and repenting to each other so if you don’t have them now, ask seek and knock for them.

6. Practicing Repentance Daily and Weekly

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” — Proverbs 28:13

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5

The best way to become a repentant person is to practice repentance.

• Daily: Confess before God as a heart posture and way of living.

• Weekly: Share honestly with a trusted friend or spouse.

• Communally: Practice saying sorry to your family — not for small mistakes alone, but for real moments where you fell short.

When you do, you’ll see freedom and joy emerge. Willard would say, “Grace is not opposed to effort; it’s opposed to earning.” These small, sincere acts of repentance are effort toward love, not to earn forgiveness, but to live inside it.

7. Repentance Brings Joy and Freedom

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” — Romans 12:2

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” — Psalm 32:3–5

David’s bones wasted away in silence. That’s what unrepented sin does. But when he confessed, joy returned. Repentance brings happiness because it shifts the weight off of you. You are no longer responsible for saving yourself.

The word transformed in Romans 12 is metamorphoō or “to change form entirely.” When we repent, we turn toward a new way of seeing. It’s stepping into a new perspective.

Repentance when biblical is a joy, because you aren’t afraid of what will happen to your flesh.

May God bless you,

Collin

Recommended Practice: Journaling with God

Find a quiet moment with your journal. Pray the words of Psalm 139:

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

• Ask the Spirit to show you where your heart has gone off course — in your marriage, parenting, friendships, thought life, or any hidden area.

• Write them down, not to wallow in guilt but to name reality.

• Then, ask God to speak truth over you — that you are forgiven, cleansed, and loved. Sit quietly and let His love wash over you. Really spend time here.

• Ask God if there’s anything he wants to tell you so you can remember his forgiveness

• Finally, ask if there’s anyone you need to repent to. If you already know who, do it soon. You are safe in His love.

Repentance is not just turning away from sin — it’s turning toward love. And when we live there, we are already tasting heaven.

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Repentance is a daily invitation we are called to, gifted, and taught by Christ to do.

“Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God…” (Hebrews 6:1, NASB).

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We often mistake repentance as a feeling, rather than an action. Repentance can be associated with feelings, but it is not the emotion itself. Eugene Patterson calls it a “feet-on-the-ground" kind of word. It puts a person in touch with the reality that God creates” (A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, p. 24).

To repent is to change one’s mind about sin. If one’s mind changes on sin, everything else changes. The true mind-body connection.

Repentance is a core teaching, a teaching of Christ that we have to be willing to die for. Martin Luther understood that.

I think it is very possible that Martin Luther recognized the immediate urgency of repentance. Matthew 1 and 3, Mark 6, Luke 5, 13, Acts 2, 3, 11, 13, and so many more all show the urgency of repentance. I love in Acts 11 when Peter says “When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life” (v.18). Granted. He has granted us repentance. The greek word used here is “didōmi” which has several different biblical usages (all in the same realm). Upon these meanings are “giving, bestow/grant, entrust, and my favorite, commission.” That is a pretty wild idea to think about, right? That God has commissioned us repentance? Men want to be commissioned to something until it is something like that. But what if we see it as a commission? As a gift, a responsibility to uphold, something we have been generously granted? What would change?

Voddie Baucham said “Repentance is the battle cry of every Christian.” This meaning it is a unification of forces, and an expression to the enemy. *Side-note: who is with you fighting?*

Paul in Romans 2:4, “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”

Repentance is one of the hardest things to do though. It is looking face-to-face with your sin and saying “I want this no longer.” What I have seen is men are unable to look at their sin like that, it brings the guilt, shame, anger, etc. And this is sometimes what keeps us from repenting.

Men, we have been given the gift of repentance.

Use it. Cherish it. Ring it out.

The hardest thing we can do is take accountability for our sin, but it that which will lead to changing our direction.

To wrap up…

1. Repentance is more than regret

2. Repentance is rooted in God’s grace

3. Repentance is continuous

4. Repentance costs

5. Repentance requires humility

The Kingdom of God is at hand, let us repent and love what is good.

Thanks for reading.

To Him be the glory forever, and ever,

Hayden

Discussion:

• How does seeing repentance as freedom change the way we approach sin and confession?

• How might comfort, pride, or self-justification keep us from true change?

• What might it look like to live as someone who repents daily—not out of guilt, but because of a deep awareness of God’s grace?

• What false repentance action is taking the spot of true repentance?

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To not listen is to be content being selfish.

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James 1:19 calls us to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

How many times a day do I absolutely contradict this and am slow to hear, fast to speak, and fast to anger? Pretty much every single day.

We live in an age that is so hurried, so busy, so noisy.

John Mark Comer writes: “The quiet place wasn’t a onetime thing. It was an ongoing part of [Jesus’] life rhythm.” If even Jesus carved out time for silence, how much more do we need to make space?

So what do we do? Do we contribute to the noise? Should we add to the confusion and ruckus? Or do you pave a path for your family and those around you?

Types of Listening

There are several different types of listening.

• passive vs active

• listening to God

• listening to others

• listening to your own body

When we are passively listening, we are sitting across from our wife in a blank stare, too selfish to focus on the very words coming out of her mouth. When we are active listening, we hear each and every word, tracking through the story and completely present with her.

Big difference.

There are barriers that we hold when it comes to listening. Whether it be noise, distraction or a constant stimulating action, it eats at our listening. Do you think your attention span is as good as it was before you had a phone, or worse? I can tell you mine is worse. We must listen—not to receive something for ourselves but rather to honor God.

God deserves a creation who pay attention to Him, who wants Him.

In John 10, Jesus makes it clear that His sheep know His voice. Are we people that know our heavenly Father’s voice well? Are we able to discern with confidence? Do we lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance and teaching?

“Our failure to hear His voice when we want to is due to the fact that we do not in general want to hear it, that we want it only when we think we need it.”
― Dallas Willard, Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God

One of my favorite listening prayers is based on Psalm 139. I ask God to turn my heart inside out and reveal to me (search me) for He knows me. There is something sweet to the way God reveals to us our sin and impure desires in just the right amount that we can process. In this time, He also brings to mind things that are “true, noble, and right” (Philippians 4:8).

There are several ways to start incorporating silence and solitude into your weekly rhythms. Do whatever works for you. Here are some ideas.

• Lectio Divina: An app that leads you through a 5-15 minute prayer and devotion. You can set times throughout the day. Download Here

• A silent morning or night (no audio or talking for 1-2 hours)

• Listening prayer

*Here is a video on this topic* Tyler Staton Sermon on Discernment

I find that when I wake up in the morning, I am immediately listening, whether that is to my own thoughts, the Holy Spirit, or the enemy. So, I want God’s voice, God’s word, God’s truth to speak to my ears first. If I am not able to listen to God, listening to others becomes hard. I have to draw strength from my Father. If I am not connected to the Father, listening to the enemy becomes much easier as well.

As believers, we must be willing to listen to others. This is incredibly selfless, sacrificial, especially in certain scenarios.

18 inches from your head to your heart. How do we get from head knowledge to heart knowledge? One of the disciplines we must have is listening.

Listening is not merely retaining, it is understanding.

I can “listen” to a teacher, “listen” to worship, “listen” to God, all without truly understanding what deep down I know I am being offered.

Ask yourself, do you listen to understand? Do you listen to counter? Do you listen to be stimulated? Do you listen to be fulfilled?

I wonder what it would look like if listening became a giving action.

• we love and desire God so we are going to give our awareness

• we cherish our spouses so we are going to give our attention

• we value friends and community so we are going to give our curiosity

• we desire connection and unity so we are going to give our respect

Listening is giving friends.

• Where can you give this week?

• Who is the hardest to listen to right now? You should start by listening there.

So thankful for you guys,

To Him be the glory, forever and ever,

Hayden

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“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

Yahweh in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament both asked questions to people that they knew the answer to. Why? Because there is power to verbalizing emotions, opinions, and confessions. Verbalizing is an act of declaring, whether it is declaring you have sinned and being open and honest, or declaring a blessing over one’s life, it is authoritative. God knows you have sinned, you are not telling Him anything He does not know, but you have the opportunity to tell Him your response.

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We must also call back to scripture on the importance of confessing sin to one another. Being surrounded by older, younger, same aged men is crucial. Adopt the humility to learn from each and every person. The day we stop learning is the day we start dying.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” — James 5:16

I just had a conversation today with a pastor about the nature of sin. He used the picture of feeding a snake. The owners would drop the mice in the cage and you would think it would immediately strike at the mouse, but it does not. The mouse starts out nervous, cowering to the other side, then it senses it is safe and it goes near the snake, on the snake, drinking the snakes water, everything. Then after a period of time, when the mouse least expects it, the snake strikes and before the mouse knows it, it suffocates and swallowed into the belly of the snake. Some describe it as a baby tiger that is in your backyard. It is cute and fluffy and harmless and if you let it stay, it will destroy you, and your family.

The point is: sin when left unattended and unconfessed, will rule over you and your family.

^{16 “}So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

— Galatians 5:16-23

We must stay in step with the spirit, so put your running shoes on. We are in a fight. The moment we do not think we are, there is a tiger in our house. The blood of Jesus has won. We are now in a fight for the Kingdom of God at hand. Fight the good fight and hold fast. Confessing is hard, take leap of faith. Watch what God will do with honesty.

A part of staying in step with the spirit is confessing.

A part of confessing is vulnerability.

A part of vulnerability is humility.

A part of humility is surrender.

A part of surrender is trust.

None of this will be easy, none of it is suppose to be. Sin is evil and destructive. Address it as such. You have all you need to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3).

Thankful for you guys.

To Him be the glory forever and ever,

Hayden

Discussion

• What part of your life is still in the dark? What is your plan to bring it to light?

• Who are safe people to be open and honest with to start the habit of confession?

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There are over 30 accounts of Jesus being interrupted in the bible. These include while He was teaching, eating, resting, in conversations, etc. What does that say?

Jesus understood the importance of being available.

Think about it. He is the Son of Man, the Anointed One, He who was without sin had every reason not to be interrupted. Yet, he was the one who was most devoted to being interrupted. Jesus did not complain of these, He sat with and was fully present.

Two main ideas I want to talk about today are:

• How Jesus welcomed interruptions for opportunities

• Jesus was a man that people felt safe interrupting

I am making my way through Mark currently and I am astonished by the amount of interruptions that take place even in the first 10 chapters.

Mark 1:21-39

Jesus is teaching in the synagogue, but is interrupted by a demon-possessed man.

Mark 2:1-12

While teaching in Peter's house, a paralytic man is lowered through the roof by his friends, interrupting Jesus's sermon.

Mark 5:22-43

A woman with a hemorrhage of blood touches Jesus's cloak, interrupting His journey to heal Jairus's daughter.

Mark 6:30-34

After hearing of John the Baptist's death, Jesus withdraws to a quiet place, but is interrupted by a crowd that follows Him.

Mark 10:46-52

As Jesus is leaving Jericho, He is interrupted by blind Bartimaeus, who calls out for him to be healed.

We see in each one of these stories, a different aspect of Jesus that is showed to the interrupter. There are several consistent factors throughout these stories in Mark. First, Jesus was not angry for being interrupted. We know that Jesus had righteous anger (Mark 11) but that is not what we see in these interruptions.

Time after time, interruption to connection, interruption to connection.

Jesus welcomed interruptions and saw them as opportunities

Jesus welcomed interruptions by being available and able. As men, we should long to do the same. Being too busy for family is not cool, being too busy to have community does not make you better, being too busy to not be interrupted is not the way Jesus lived. By no means was Jesus not productive, but most things He did had the ability to be put on pause. What does that look like in your life? Are you able to put your plans on pause for someone else’s? That is the question.

Are you willing?

Jesus was a man that people felt safe interrupting

If you read this blog, I pray that this is one thing that will stick with you. Jesus cultivated a way of life that people felt safe interrupting. Think of old friends that reach out to you years later, they felt safe, they felt known. Jesus had that authority and favor with each and every person, as He should. But, because He was gentle and lowly, because He preached an upside down Kingdom, because He was compassionate to the poor, because He sought the forgotten, because He was loving.

Start the day with 10 minutes, listen from God, ask Him for opportunities to be interrupted for His namesake.

WHEN they come, do not resist them. Welcome them.

So men, check your heart. Let yourself be interrupted, those are the times where we must be willing to sacrifice.

Be the person that others can go to. Live a life that is worthy of the calling.

Your life is not more important than others.

To Him be the glory forever and ever,

Hayden

Discussion Questions

• Would others say you are an easily interrupted person? Answer honestly not aspirationally.

• What is one thing you can do this week to be more available to be interrupted by others?

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Gary Chapman, a Baptist minister, wrote a book titled The 5 Love Languages (1992). In that book, he explains how in relationships, we communicate in a certain language and we also want to be communicated in a certain language. For instance, I may give words of affirmation really easily but I actually receive acts of service better. If that does not make sense, here are the five.

• Acts of service

• Quality time

• Physical touch

• Words of affirmation

• Receiving gifts

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What I find really interesting is this is the best or “standard” humans can come up for on the basis of communicating love. What is my point for listing out all of these different types of loves? It is because this is the best effort man has at defining love. If you combine all of these or even just the languages, they cover the different facets of love, right?

Jesus embodied each and more.

I want to go over each of the languages and tie in biblical stories of Jesus for each one. So here we go!

Acts of Service

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” — John 13:3-7

Here, Jesus, God in flesh takes on the role of a servant. Washing feet was one of the lowliest tasks, but Jesus used it to demonstrate what true leadership looks like. He shows us that love serves. That His Kingdom is not one like this world.

Quality Time

“He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve...” — Matthew 26:18-20

Here we see Jesus desiring time with the disciples towards the end of His time on earth. In just a few verses later, we see how Jesus also desires that time with the Father.

“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” — Matthew 26:36-38

Jesus spent intentional time with people, and not just large crowds, but also in small, intimate settings. He valued presence over performance, showing us that quality time communicates love deeply.

Physical Touch

“When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” — Mark 5:27-29

“And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” — Mark 10:16

In a culture where many people were considered “untouchable” because of illness, sin, or status, Jesus used touch to restore dignity. He healed with a touch, comforted with a hand, and welcomed with an embrace.

Words of Affirmation

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus’ words didn’t just inform, they transformed. He spoke encouragement, blessing, truth, and identity into people’s lives. His affirmations weren’t flattery; they were rooted in eternal truth.

Receiving Gifts

“Then Mary took about a pint^[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” — John 12:3

Mary’s gift to Jesus was costly, but Jesus Himself is the ultimate giver. The greatest gift He gives is salvation, offered freely through His sacrifice on the cross. Paul reminds us in Romans 6:23: “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jesus Showing All in a Story…

*this happens more than once, Jesus shows all 5 in the upper-room with the disciples as well*

I have been thinking about the woman at the well over the last few weeks. It has not been something I am intentionally seeking out but it seems to always come to my mind in various conversations, thoughts or writings. But, I am so glad it has because I am really amazed by this story and its richness right now.

Newsflash, Jesus knows how to love well. He does it perfectly and we get to read scriptures of Him doing just that.

Jesus actually shows all 5 love languages in this story.

• Jesus shows acts of service with His sacrificial commitment to being there, speaking with her while He was tired

• Jesus shows quality time with sitting with this woman, walking her through who He is and what He wants for her life

• Jesus shows physical touch by sitting with her and providing His presence. (I am confident that Jesus also touched her shoulder or shouldered her head, but it is not in scripture so I don’t want to say for certain.)

• Jesus shows gifts by one asking for water from her and two giving her living water.

• Jesus gave words of affirmation through encouragement and acknowledging who she is and her past and revealing who He is through a parable

  ---

Okay, what is the point of this? Jesus loves more perfect than we could ever imagine. Story after story, Jesus shows us how to love, how we are more than just a personality type or character trait. Love is for all. Love is not a multitude of languages, or even words, it is the person of Jesus in living form. The love languages are a helpful tool. They remind us that people experience love differently, and that being mindful of those differences strengthens our relationships.

But they are not the full picture.

Jesus doesn’t just “speak” the 5 love languages, He is love itself (1 John 4:8). Where human love is limited, Jesus’ love is complete. Where our attempts to define love fall short, His life redefines it completely.

Our goal isn’t just to learn to love better through frameworks like the 5 love languages. Our ultimate calling is to love like Jesus.

Of what man can concept of love, Jesus shatters it in pieces.

I hope that you guys thought this was interesting. It was just a fun topic that I wanted to write on. Back to the schedule next week!

To Him be the glory forever and ever,

Hayden

Discussion

• Pick one of the languages and think about how Jesus exemplifies it.

• How does recognizing that Jesus embodies all the love languages challenge the way we love others?

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“Gratefulness is the most basic way to love God back.”

I don’t know who said this.. Or if it was made up in my head.. But it has been echoing in my head lately. It’s simple, almost too simple. But then I open my Bible to 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

There it is. God’s will for me. No guessing, no mystical deciphering. Give thanks in all circumstances. It’s right there in black and white.

And then I think about Micah 6:8, the famous “walk humbly” verse that Hayden was thinking when he asked me to write about “walk humbly” the next part in the series;

“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

I know this may be a funny way to start this, an article about humility, talking about gratitude.

However, my point is that gratitude and humility are inseparably intertwined.

Why Gratitude and Humility Belong Together

When I thank God for my life—my breath, my family, the food on the table—I’m confessing that I’m receiving, not achieving. Gratitude is admitting I am not self-made.

Physiologically, gratitude rewires the brain. Studies show it lowers stress hormones, increases resilience, and literally shifts your nervous system from “fight or flight” into “rest and enjoy.” But biblically, it’s even deeper—it reorients my soul to reality: I’m a creature, not the Creator.

And here’s where humility comes in. Humility says, “God’s way is better than mine.” Thankfulness is the practice that makes humility sustainable, because it keeps me aware of what I’ve been given rather than obsessed with what I lack.

Confession: I’m the Last Person Who Should Write This

If I’m being honest, I’m terrible at this. I walk around much of the time wanting something else—another outcome, another circumstance, more fun—and trying to nudge (or shove) people into my preferred direction.

Sometimes I think we feel humility is about acting humble—turning down compliments, giving credit to others (which I think matters). But I do an okay job about saying those things and I still feel puffy when people list my accomplishments or, to personalize it… And there’s still many scenarios like where I speak for 70% of the meeting (myself). Oops. I don’t think God is primarily saying to act humbly in the Bible. That’s actually good news for me—because I can’t act humble for very long.

I want to be known as successful! Helpful! A servant! But when I want to be known for these things, am I being humble by acting it?

Reading through the Gospel of Matthew, it’s hard to escape the insight that God cares deeply about our heart—its openness, its childlikeness—toward Him. Having an open heart is more about humility than acting like it. Almost all of the parables seem to be about that. Willingness to God.

Walking Humbly Means Walking Open-Handed

“Walk humbly with your God” is so rich. Walk with an open heart, open hands, with your Savior and Provider. Know your place—that you can’t even control 1% of the millions of processes going on inside your body to keep you alive until your next breath.

This applies when your wife or mom or whoever gives you something they imagine you need to improve upon. Or when you get negative criticism at work, or someone cuts you off in the car. How do we respond then? These things are windows into our heart, and what’s inside it. Good to notice.

How much is God’s? How much is mine? Hardly anything. Success is so often attributed to people who simply had good outcomes. But how much of that was mine? How much of that was God’s? I’d continue here, but there’s a much smarter man (insert humility here 😉) who has written on this far better than me.

So instead, I’ll encourage you: meditate on it. And be thankful today!

Here’s a quote I like on humility:

“We must put away all notion of self-importance. God will not bless the man who thinks himself great.”

— Charles Spurgeon

Notes on the meditation: I recommend going outside or by a window to a field, get off your phone, and start with deep breaths. Then start with the Lord’s prayer, or simply talking to Jesus about how you are currently feeling. Then read this slowly, and spend a few minutes on each paragraph, imagining the answers or possibilities. Then after you’re done, thank the Lord, and journal about the time.

Prayer of Consideration: The Lilies of the Field//St. Ignatius

Jesus called on His disciples to "consider" the lilies of the field, and we should do the same.

“The lily does not choose in which field it will stand. When it grows from seed or runner, it finds itself in this field, with this hard clay or soft loam. So do I find myself on a "field" - the twentieth century, America, a state, city, town, neighborhood? How much of my life world is my making; how much is God’s?

The lily has no control over what grows around it. When it shoots up, it might have to fight for its life with thorns or clumps of crabgrass. Or it might be outshone by great sunflowers. So have I very little control over what surrounds me. I live in corporate structures, in political processes. I am caught up in earning a living, buying insurance, preparing for illness and old age. I cannot change the stock market or banking practices or taxation. I cannot make the ghettos disappear, or dry up acid rain. How much of my life world is my making; how much is God’s?

The lily of the field has absolutely no control over the weather - rain or drought, it must simply stand and endure. So have I no control over nations warring on one another, or over international cartels poisoning the air with pollutants. I cannot control whether people around me drug themselves and fill the atmosphere of my life world with fear and violence. I cannot control people feeling prejudice toward me and my kind. I cannot make male chauvinism or strident feminism go away, or stop people from aborting babies or abusing their children. How much of my life world is my making; how much is God’s?

The lily came up a certain kind of lily of a certain color and shape, and its shapeliness an health depended on the spring and the summer, and whether grazing cattle let it grow. So did I come up a certain kind of person, of a certain color and shape. So were my psychic health and physical shape much influenced by the forces around me when I was coming up. And until now, all created things have let me live and even thrive, though many, many threatened and still threaten me. How much of my life growth is my making: how much is God’s?

For all that, not even Solomon dressed up in gold-embroidered brocade was any more lovely than that lily. So for all that has shaped and misshaped me, for all that has given me health and inflicted ill health on me - I am precious in the eyes of God, and honored, and God loves me as I am. Otherwise, I would not be as I am, though God would be glad were I to slough off my selfish sins. But they are trash compared to God’s creating love in me, whose love will burn them away like flakes on the bark of a flaming pine log. how much of me is mine; how much can be God’s?”

Thanks for reading,

Collin

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A Prophetic Voice in a Corrupt World

The prophet Micah spoke during a dark and fractured period in Israel’s history. Writing in the 8th century BC, during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, Micah prophesied to both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Corruption filled the land. The powerful exploited the poor. Idolatry polluted worship. Justice had been distorted, and mercy forgotten. Against this backdrop of covenant failure, Micah delivered both stern warnings of judgment and powerful promises of restoration.

Near the center of his message stands a striking summary of God’s desire for His people: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God.

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This verse is often quoted in isolation, but when read in context and in light of the larger biblical narrative, it reveals a deep and integrated vision of life with God. To fully grasp what it means to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly, we must first let Scripture redefine these very ideas.

Reframing Foundational Ideas

Genesis shapes our foundational understanding of what it means to live. Life is not simply biological survival but is defined by communion with God.

1 John reveals that love is not a feeling or a mutual agreement for pleasure maximization. “God is love,” and to know Him is to become capable of true love.

Micah, speaking into a world where justice had been corrupted, shows us that justice and mercy are not rival virtues but are bound together in relationship with God. Even within Genesis, we see glimpses of this harmony. God judges Adam and Eve, yet still clothes them. He warns Cain before his brutal sin is committed and even protects him after it. Justice and grace are not separate acts but two expressions of God's redemptive pursuit.

These biblical foundations stand in stark contrast to many modern frameworks. In our world, life is often reduced to physical function, love is characterized by unwavering affirmation, and justice is viewed as something detached from mercy. The Bible invites us to see these concepts differently.

What Is Life?

In Genesis, Yahweh invites Adam and Eve to trust in His design for humanity. They are given the choice to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, warning that if they do, they will surely die. Yet when they eat, they do not immediately lose their physical lives. Instead, they are driven from the presence of God.

This suggests that in the biblical imagination, life is not simply defined by biological function. Life is not just heartbeats and brainwaves. Life is found in communion with God. To be cut off from His presence is to experience death in its most essential form.

That rupture does not only fracture the bond between people. It also breaks creation itself. The ground is cursed. Work becomes toil. Childbearing becomes painful. Human relationships, once marked by unity and trust, are now ruled by shame, blame, and hiding.

What Is Love?

We see two very different examples of how Adam and Eve love one another in Genesis 3. Before taking the fruit, they are vulnerable with each other and at peace, trusting that God is enough, even when His ways remain a mystery. After taking the fruit, which is to say they chose to define for themselves what was right and wrong, we see two people suddenly motivated to insulate themselves from each other and from Yahweh.

This understanding of life as communion with God also reshapes our view of love. According to 1 John 4:8, God is love. Love, then, is not merely about supporting someone’s pursuit of pleasure or personal fulfillment. It is rooted in the very nature of God.

To dwell in His presence is to dwell with love itself. As verse 11 of 1 John 4 shows, once we have received and known that love, only then are we able to love one another in the way God intended. Just as separation from God distorts love, a restored relationship with Him makes true love possible again.

Where Justice Meets Grace

From this foundation, we can also reconsider how justice and grace work together. These concepts often appear to be in tension. How can a just judge offer mercy without compromising justice? But if life is defined as restored relationship with God, then justice and grace are not opposites. They are both movements toward healing what was broken.

We see this dynamic even in God's response to Adam and Eve. Though He casts them out of the garden, He does not abandon them. He clothes them. He speaks to them.

And in the very next chapter, we see Him pursue their son, Cain. Even after Cain murders his brother, God warns him about sin's power and places a mark of protection on him to prevent further violence. This is not justice void of grace. It is justice expressed through mercy and pursuit.

And this pattern continues throughout Scripture. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2, while we were still dead in our sins, God made us alive together with Christ. He did not wait for us to return to Him. He came to us. He took on flesh, bore the judgment we deserved, and poured out the fullness of grace. The Judge took the judgment upon Himself.

Justice and Mercy Together

Micah 6:8 captures this integrated vision. To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God is not a checklist of moral duties. It is a description of a life reconnected with the One who defines justice and mercy by His very character.

Justice without kindness is no longer truly just. Kindness without justice is no longer truly kind. In the biblical narrative, justice and grace are not rivals. They are inseparable aspects of God's restoring work. Both aim at the same end: reconciling humanity to God and to one another.

The Word invites us to see that life, love, and justice are not abstract ideals but relational realities. They all flow from the presence of God. And through grace, they find their truest meaning in the lived reality of walking with Him.

“There where justice and mercy collide
At the wonderful cross of Christ.”

Heath

For Your Consideration

• How might your relationships change if mercy cost you something?

• What would it look like if the person who wronged you never had to pay you back?

• What would happen to your heart if you treated mercy as a first instinct instead of a last resort?

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You’re telling one of those stories you could not wait to tell someone else and it just does not re-live the moment. You may end the story with, “it just doesn’t do it justice.” You captured a scenic view but you say, “the picture doesn’t do it justice.” You are madly in love and trying to craft words to explain that into a poem, “words just cannot do it justice.” The documentary was accurate, great and really did “the event justice.”

These are some of the ideas that came to my mind while thinking about how we use the word justice. Our verbal language, what we have read, and what we have learned is how our knowledge of justice has been developed. Why am I listing these out? Two reasons. One, as humans, we have a desire for justice. We know that there has to be something better, more complete, more fair, more overall justice. Two, we misunderstand justice, a lot.

We have the side of justice that is Yahweh’s judgment, His right of judgment. Then we have our side of justice that we can provide. Justice is foundational to God’s character (Psalm 89:14).

Prophets repeatedly call for justice as the true worship God desires (Isaiah 1, Amos 5).

Jesus showed this to us through loving the poor, sharing with the lowly and yearning for justice by inviting them into the Kingdom of Heaven. Martin Luther taught true faith produces outward works of justice; Christian freedom leads to serving others, especially the oppressed.

To “do justice” is calling for both charity and advocacy. This is again taught by Jesus and a way we can reflect the character of Christ unto others.

I think it is important to note that justice is not merely avoiding wrongdoing but speaking up and against injustice. Justice means a lot to Yahweh, and therefore, it should mean a lot to us, His children.

Here is some helpful insight into the Hebrew word for “justice”

• “Justice” (Hebrew: מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat):

  • Meaning: To render judgments that are fair, equitable, and right; to uphold the rights of the vulnerable and oppressed

  • judgment, justice, ordinance

    1. judgment

       1. act of deciding a case

       2. place, court, seat of judgment

       3. process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

       4. case, cause (presented for judgment)

       5. sentence, decision (of judgment)

       6. execution (of judgment)

       7. time (of judgment)

    2. justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man)

    3. ordinance

    4. decision (in law)

    5. right, privilege, due (legal)

    6. proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan

  • Mishpat is often paired with צְדָקָה (tsedaqah), meaning righteousness or community loyalty; together, they express God’s vision for a just society

  • Not only legal fairness, but action for those wronged or marginalized

  Rule of firsts…

  The first time “מִשְׁפָּט” is used in the bible is Genesis 18:19: “For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”

  I don’t find it to be a coincidence that that the first time it is used and the last time it is used both complement each other. And, not only that, but to reiterate the same point.

  Justice is an action, and we are called to it.

  Malachi 4:4 is the last time in the Old Testament it is used, saying, “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.”

  Justice is both a personal and systemic issue. It involves individual acts and challenging unjust structures. Living in America, there are countless unjust structures we come in contact with every single day, how do we challenge, how do we bridge the gap, how do we provide tangible justice?

  The word justice in this context means more than legal fairness; it’s restorative, communal, and protective of the vulnerable. Christian tradition, from the early church to today’s leadership, affirms that justice is at the heart of faithful discipleship.

  Modern application requires both personal transformation and public action—justice is love in public.

  I want to end this with a prayer from an anonymous author.

  Grant us, Lord God, a vision of your world as your love would have it:
  a world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor;
  a world where the riches of creation are shared, and everyone can enjoy them;
  a world where different races and cultures live in harmony and mutual respect;
  a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love.
  Give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  - Author Unknown

  To Him be the glory forever, and ever,

  Hayden

  ---

  Discussion:

• Where do you see injustice in your sphere of influence? What does it stir within you?

• Is there a particular injustice that weighs heavy on your heart? Pray for them.

  ---

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Today we will be finishing chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians. This verse is one that grows roots in the ground the more I read and study it. Honestly, this was a unique one for me to write. I felt like there were so many routes to go with the verse, so, I trust that the Holy Spirit will be inside and through these words.

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It is important to remember that the bible was not formatted in ancient times the same way as it is now. Paul did not write 1 Corinthians with a chapter and verse strategy, rather, this is done by scholars who break up the texts, doing their best to maintain authenticity. Taking that into consideration, on one hand, we have a verse that looks like it is wrapping up the chapter on love, but, on the other hand, 1 Corinthians 14:1 has just as much relevance.

So now we understand the full range of this verse, we also have to remember the context, Paul is talking about love here but in relation to spiritual gifts. “And now these three remain…” is a direct call-out, saying, spiritual gifts will pass away but these three stay (faith, hope, and love). The role of spiritual gifts is to point us to God and love. Yahweh being love in His very most inner character trait. Spiritual gifts are so awesome and supernatural, yet, in heaven, those spiritual gifts will not be needed. But what will be? Faith, Hope, Love. Paul says the greatest of these is love, and perfect love is what makes the spiritual gifts not needed. So now, we need them, because we live in a far from perfect love world.

Faith

I was reading a book awhile back called, “Ruthless Trust”, I appreciated it and would recommend it. Brennan Manning, the author, told a story from a guy he knew about an interaction with Mother Teresa.

“When the brilliant ethicist John Kavanaugh went to work for three months at ‘the house of the dying’ in Calcutta, he was seeking a clear answer as to how best to spend the rest of his life. On the first morning there he met Mother Teresa. She asked, ‘And what can I do for you?’ Kavanaugh asked her to pray for him.

‘What do you want me to pray for?’ she asked. He voiced the request that he had borne thousands of miles from the United States: ‘Pray that I have clarity.’

She said firmly, ‘No, I will not do that.’ When he asked her why, she said, ‘Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.’ When Kavanaugh commented that she always seemed to have the clarity he longed for, she laughed and said, ‘I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.’”

— Ruthless Trust (p.5)

Man, I pray for clarity all the time and this really convicted me to pray for faith trust. I absolutely love this story and I think it applies in two ways to the verse we are talking through. First, faith and trust are very similar, we mentioned that awhile back, I will link the post HERE. We must have faith in this life. True faith leads us to repentance.

Two, once we die or Jesus returns, our faith, will become sight. We will be able to touch what we could not grasp, and feel what we could not feel. Faith will still be present just transformed.

Hope

Christian hope is more than wishful thinking. David Platt has said, “Hope isn’t a concept—it’s a person. His name is Jesus.” Hope is the confident expectation that what God has promised will come to fruition.

In a time where despair seems to rule headlines and cynicism is treated like wisdom, hope is a countercultural act of resistance. Hope interrupts the world with peace. The peace that transcends all understanding. It lifts our eyes beyond present suffering to eternal glory.

Hope is our fuel for endurance and the vision of the world as it will be when Jesus returns. And hope doesn’t eliminate pain but it can most certainly anchor us in it.

In heaven, our hope will be fulfilled. It will be satisfied and met at the throne of God the Father, and God the Son. Hope will still be present, again, just transformed.

Love

R.C. Sproul taught that while doctrine matters deeply, without love, doctrine becomes a weapon rather than a witness. Tim Keller said that love is the foundation for both justice and evangelism. Truth without love is harsh, and love without truth is hollow.

Now these are two guys that are way smarter than me, may God rest their souls. I love how the both understood the magnitude of love and the hurt without love. Now let’s look at what Jesus says about love.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” — John 15:9-11

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:34-35

"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." — Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus was big on love, obviously. These are just a few, I recommend you continue to read more, Jesus embodied love, perfectly. I am encouraged time and time again to see how deep and wide Jesus’ love runs for us.

So why love? Love is at the root of our faith, and the root of our hope. As a Christian, I base my entire life on the concept of love, I have to. I have been shown radical love by a great Father who delights in me. How could I keep it to myself? Paul said earlier in chapter 13:

“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” — 1 Corinthians 13:2

To make this practical

• Faith and no love? I am nothing.

• Hope and no love? I am nothing.

• Rich and no love? I am nothing.

• Leader and no love? I am nothing.

• Romantic and no love? I am nothing.

• Attractive and no love? I am nothing.

• Athletic and no love? I am nothing.

• Hardworking and no love? I am nothing.

Paul does not care if we are these things if we have no love. A man without love is not a man! You can have everything this world offers you, you can do all the Christian things, you can sacrifice, you can claim anything, but when it comes to it, if we are not embodying love, we are nothing. Not my words, Paul’s words.

This one was a little heavy. The Lord loves you, He is desiring a relationship, faith, hope, and love. Jesus demonstrates how to do them all for us.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33

May the Lord bless you today, and your weekend.

Please pray for my fiance and I this week as we get married next weekend. Pray for protection, smooth planning, and execution.

With love and joy,

To Him be the glory forever and ever,

Hayden

Discussion

• What way(s) do you misunderstand love?

• Where is God calling you to walk-out/display love to others?

• Do you find it easy or hard to love?

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We are living in a world of contested vision. The “information age” promised clarity—but instead has delivered something closer to distortion. Tribalism parades as truth. Preference masquerades as purity. And in the church, we are not immune.

The Apostle Paul’s poetic reflection in 1 Corinthians 13:12 cuts straight through the confusion. “Now we see in a mirror dimly,” he says—not with high-definition optics, but like ancient Corinthian bronze, polished just enough to make out a shadow. We see something real, but it is not yet whole.

It’s easy to forget this. It’s even easier to pretend otherwise.

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The 20th-century philosopher Slavoj Žižek remarked that ideology is not simply what we think—it is what we assume without noticing. And in the modern church, many of us operate within systems of ideology we have confused with the gospel.

I find it helpful to think of ideology in terms of concentric circles:

• Absolutes: The core confessions of Christian doctrine.

• Convictions: Strong beliefs informed by Scripture, but not at the level of essentials.

• Opinions: Personal conclusions often shaped more by culture than by Scripture.

• Questions: The unresolved tensions we all carry.

But here’s the danger: when we take opinions or convictions and promote them to the center—into the absolutes—we cloud the mirror even more. We displace Jesus from the center of our theology and replace Him with political allegiance, cultural assumptions, or ecclesial preferences.

For instance:

• When one assumes a particular political party is “God’s party,”

• When one’s worship style is equated with spiritual maturity,

• When methods of parenting, education, or theological nuance are treated as tests of faith

We’ve shifted the weight of the gospel onto foundations it never intended to bear. And ironically, we lose sight of Jesus in the process.

Let us say it plainly:

The miracle of our faith is not a book. The miracle of our faith is not the church. The miracle of our faith is the person of Jesus, God incarnate.

Yes, the Scriptures are sacred. Yes, the Church is Christ’s body. But both exist to point us to Him. From the ancient hymn of 1 Corinthians 15 to the firsthand testimony of 1 John, the New Testament continually returns us not to ideology, but to incarnation—to Jesus Himself.

We are not invited into a system. We are invited into communion with a living Lord.

To fix our eyes on being “right” is to miss the point.
To fix our eyes on being right with Christ—this is what clarifies the mirror.
And what we see through the mirror is not simply abstract truth—it is a face.

We must ask ourselves:

• What is fogging your mirror?

• What have you elevated to the level of gospel essential that does not belong there?

• Have you allowed political views, theological systems, or denominational identities to distort your vision of Christ?

We are not called to abandon conviction. But we are called to locate it properly. There is a vast difference between being rooted in Christ and being rooted in ideology baptized with Christian language.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,” the hymn says.
“Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.”

Paul’s words are not just poetic—they are prophetic. He’s pointing us forward. The mirror won’t always be dim. The partial knowledge will not remain partial forever.

There is a moment coming—a very real, physical, bodily moment—when we will see the Lord face to face.

To anyone steeped in the story of Scripture, this is electrifying.

In Exodus 33, Moses—already the friend of God, already the covenant mediator—begs to see God’s glory. “Show me Your glory,” he cries with holy desperation. Yahweh answers with a compromise: Moses may see His back, but not His face. “For man shall not see me and live.”

But Paul says what Moses could only glimpse is what we will one day fully see. What was once forbidden will one day be fulfilled.

The Christian hope is not escapism. It is not floating souls in a disembodied heaven. The Christian hope is resurrection and renewal—a restored creation where we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).

We will see, face to face, the One Moses longed for and the apostles proclaimed.

This is the end toward which all of history is headed. Not ideological victory. Not cultural dominance.
But a wedding feast—where the mirror is gone and the Bride beholds her Bridegroom.

Until that day, we must be honest: we still see in part.

But we are not without hope. The mirror may be dim, but the light behind it shines. And when we re-center our lives on Jesus—not on being “right,” but on being right with Him—we begin to see more clearly.

Let us be people of clarity, yes—but clarity rooted in the person of Jesus Christ.

Let us be people of conviction, yes—but conviction that keeps Christ at the center, and all else in perspective.

Let us not forget that the goal is not a better system, a sharper debate, or a cleaner label.

The goal is to behold His face.
And the miracle is that, one day, we will.

Heath

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I do not want to take this verse out of context. Paul is using this verse as analogy to further the understanding of the message he is trying to convey. That message is in the previous verse (11) “But when the perfect comes, the partial will come to an end.” Becoming a man is not the perfect, Christ’s return is. It is when our soul is with God in heaven.

This is the same point where Paul mentions,

I have had a shift in perspective over the past couple months in regard to this topic. I have received peace knowing that eventually, every prayer is answered, in its own way, in heaven. A lot of healing’s occur here on earth, but a lot do not happen until heaven. There is a peace about that now that I can be confident in.

I think Paul is eluding to how our earthly (fleshly) desires will become less and less desirable as we mature more in our relationship with Christ. The familiar sins we have participated in, or sinful ways of thinking, they become part of our story. However, the old is gone and the new has come!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, the new has come into being.”

— 2 Corinthians 5:17

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When I think of manhood, I think of times that signify it. For instance, there are many “rites of passages” throughout the years and through different countries and cultures. Some of those used to be having to return back to the tribe with a dead tiger, now it is different. Something that has impacted me was seeing an old friends dad “induct” him into manhood on his 16th birthday with a sword and scripture on that sword. Last year, my brother in-law, did a similar thing with me in Clear Creek River, the same spot I was baptized. He took me there, we did a cold plunge, and he blessed me. He blessed my future marriage, children, and relationships. He also used that time to speak life into me, differentiating me from generations and sin patterns and breaking strongholds. Marriage is also a huge transition, where man and woman are called to leave and cleave.

A rites of passage moment is marked by the increase in responsibility.

The Quarry Project is a father-son camp out in Alaska that does this so well. I have a friend who is out there now and did it last year, helping lead camps. They utilize nature, suffering, physical, mental exhaustion to better establish relationships. I have heard a lot of the campers and their fathers, believe this is a coming of age experience.

If you have not had a moment like that, it is okay. I feel blessed to have it from someone taking on that fatherly role. However, God is eager to do it, for you, for me, for all His sons. Pray, ask God to bring you up, let the Holy Spirit rise inside of you and live a life worthy of the calling He has for you.

I want to acknowledge the less formal “rites of passage” moments.

Not limited to:

• Unresolved grief of family members or friends

• Taking on too much responsibility from a young age

• Parents having to depend on a child from a young age, emotionally, physically, financially

There are so many more, these are just what popped into my head. Trauma often requires us to grow up faster, to try to adapt an overcome. These may be thought of as unconventional, but they are pivotal parts of our stories.

“When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”

— C.S. Lewis

So much of this journey is slow and steady. That is not to say God cannot move radically. I have heard it said “God can move supernaturally or subtlety.” You may feel like you’re still wrestling with childish things and trying to put those behind you. Train to do that. Trying does not last, but the strengthening of muscles to do so, does. Maturity isn’t about perfection now, in this very instance, instead, it is about formation. It’s about knowing that the work will be completed on the day of Christ.

Until then, keep growing. Keep praying. Keep asking God to mature you, not just outwardly, but inwardly.

He has entrusted you already with so much.

To Him be the glory forever,

Hayden

Discussion

• Have you experienced a rites of passage moment? Is that something you long for?

• Who in your life has modeled spiritual maturity in a way that you admire?

  • What particularly stood out to you?

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