September 7, 2024
What Are You Building On?
Matthew 7:24-27 New Living Translation
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
I spent some time at the ocean recently, and I was talking with God. I was standing in the sand as the waves of the ocean came onto the shore. Every time the water reached me, my feet shifted as the sand moved underneath me. I needed to balance myself so I would not fall over with the shifting sand. Sometimes, I needed to actually move to a different place, because the sand was so loose under my feet and was no longer stable.
God spoke to me and asked, “what are you building your life on? Are you building it on temporary things or eternal things?”. He talked to me about the waves of life coming in and shifting what I hold onto in my life. If I am basing my life on worldly, temporary things, I can miss what He wants to do in my life. My focus needs to be on eternal things, the things that really matter.
I also cannot base my life on people. Yes, God has placed people in my life to help me grow and to do life with them. However, my sense of being okay must be based on my relationship with God. People will fail us, but God never will. I have to be in a place where I know I am serving Him, not people. I am so blessed with the people God has placed in my life, but they cannot be who God is in my life.
What about you? What are you building your life on? Is it on the rock, Jesus, or is it on the things of the world that can only satisfy for a short time?
August 16, 2024
Standing Out
Luke 12:7 NLT And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Have you ever felt like someone was overlooking you or passing you by for someone else, like maybe you weren’t good enough for them to take notice of you? I was at a conference not long ago, walking to a different building between events with a friend of mine. We passed by a young woman who mentioned to my friend that she “stood out” to her in a space where many people were, including myself. I had some mixed feelings about this. I was happy for my friend, but I also wondered why I did NOT stand out to this young woman. It’s really easy for the enemy to make us think that we are not as important as someone else, or that God doesn’t value us as much as someone else. It can make us think that, because we don’t “stand out” as much as other people, maybe we’re less important. Jesus cares about every single person, down to the smallest details, such as the numbers of hair on our heads. If God cares that much about us and the smallest details of our lives, we can trust that He is going to bring us before the right people at the right time. He will make us “stand out” to the right people. He will help us to accomplish the purpose that He has for OUR lives.
I also was reminded that my purpose is not the same as my friend’s. We may have common threads within our purposes, but I am the only one who can fulfill MY purpose. God still has plans for me, even when I feel like I’m at a standstill or not moving forward. He has not forgotten about me, and He never will!
I’m grateful that God is a God of individualized response. He loves us as individuals. We’re not just lost in a big group. There’s a song called “Sea of Faces” by a group called Kutless. Part of the chorus says “I am not just a man vastly lost in this world, lost in a sea of faces”. I am choosing to believe, through every season of being hidden and being brought forth, that God is still working behind the scenes.
The cup in this picture was given to me by a friend of mine several years ago. I love the message of it-being who you are. It reminds me that I am unique in my own way, and that God created me that way. It doesn’t mean I can use that as an excuse to stop growing, but it means I don’t have to try to be someone else.
Are you feeling lost or hidden? Trust God through the process. It will be worth it!
August 1, 2024
No More “Business as Usual”
Have you heard the phrase “business as usual”? I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately and how tired I am of things just continuing on like they have been for so long. I recently returned from a Creatives conference in the Dallas area. It was incredible! I don’t really have the words yet to describe it, but it reinforced even more how I don’t want things to just keep on going like they were before. My heart has been changed, and I want my life to reflect those changes. I want to move forward and stop getting stuck in doing the same things I’ve always done, the ways I’ve always done them. I’m sensing that God is doing some new things in my life and in the lives of those around me. I also sense that God is breaking up the ground of how things used to be and creating new growth. Growth can be hard and painful at times. These are the times I have to lean into what God has and trust Him even more.
Isaiah 43:18-19a says “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” God was reminding the people of Israel of so many amazing things He had done for them in the past, but He was also saying He was not done yet! When we dwell on the past and expecting God to move as He has done before, we can miss out on the new things He is trying to do.
I want to live with expectancy and know that God is a God of new beginnings. He has been talking with me about not putting Him in a box and expecting Him to be the same as He has always been. He is such a creative God, and He is so much bigger than what I can imagine. I want to give Him full permission to work in whatever way He wants to work. I don’t want to limit Him or limit what He can do because of my own mindsets or my own lack of faith. I’m so grateful that He knows the best path for me and that I can trust Him to fulfill His promises.
I chose this picture of a new plant I have to signify new growth. I have never been great at keeping plants alive, but I’m trying with this one. I was watering it one day, and I saw the new growth underneath some of the older, bigger leaves.
How about you? Are you ready to move past “business as usual” and step into the new things God has for you? I’d love to hear from you!
September 30, 2023
Dear Future Me,
Have you ever thought about what you would want to tell your future self? I have had several situations where this has come up recently. I have been struggling with eating healthy and staying on track, and a close friend of mine challenged me to write a letter to my future self to read when I get discouraged. It would be a way to encourage myself to keep going. This same friend just released a book of letters she had written to herself to help her keep going when she faced different circumstances. The book is called “Hey You”, and you can get it here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sarah+nicole+butler+hey+you&crid=3V4F38VGXT97K&sprefix=sarah+nicole+butler+hey+you%2Caps%2C134&ref=nb_sb_noss.
At work yesterday, we were given a list of questions to discuss at our table groups. One question was something like “what question would you like to ask your future self?”. It made me think about this “future me” letter. I actually found out there are websites where you can write yourself a letter to read in the future and set a date for it to be delivered to yourself!
Sometimes, I can be so hard on myself when I make a mistake that I get even more discouraged. I can quickly go from thinking “wow, that was a mistake” to thinking “you really messed up, and you should just give up on this”. Maybe you have felt the same way at times.
Tonight, I wrote myself the letter my friend asked me to write. It is still a work in progress, but I basically just reminded myself that life will not always be easy. I will need to remind myself of truth and rely on God to help me through the challenge I’m facing at that moment. I can do hard things, and I need to keep going and not give up.
What would you want to tell YOUR future self, especially during those challenging times?
March 29, 2023
Living with Open Hands
Have you ever thought about what it means to live with open hands, specifically in regards to what God wants for your life? I have been thinking about it a lot lately. I am actually working on a new song about living with open hands and living in surrender to God. It is definitely not an easy thing to do! Living with open hands means that I have to be willing to let go of what I want and allow God to do what HE wants in my life. It means releasing my desires and trusting Him to direct my steps. It involves sacrificing my wants and knowing that His plans are always better for me in the end. It may mean letting go of people and places I am comfortable in to follow His plans for my life.
We used to sing a song called “I SurrenderAll” in church (we still sing it sometimes). One verse of the song talks about freely giving our everything to God, loving and trusting Him, and living in His presence daily. When we choose to live in His presence on a daily basis, it becomes easier to trust Him and to trust His plan. When I trust Him, I can willingly answer His calling on my life with no hesitation. I can step out and say “here I am”.
Even though it can be challenging and almost overwhelming to think about at times, I want to always be in the place of giving God access to my whole life. I want to live with open hands, in complete surrender to Him. It really is the best place to be.
Are there areas in your life where you need to surrender to God?
February 10, 2023
Light of Glory
By Sarah Nicole Butler
Note: Sarah co-wrote this song with me. This is the story behind the song.
I’ve often wondered how it may have been the night that Jesus was born. How much awe and wonder surrounded this young child who carried so much weight and destiny. The salvation of humanity was resting on His shoulders… but He was only a baby. Only a baby, whose purpose would change the trajectory of the world.
The question is famously asked of Mary in a well-known Christmas song, “Mary Did You Know?”. In “Light of Glory” the question is asked of Jesus, “How could You know what tomorrow brings?”. And I think that question could be asked of you too.
There is a weight and destiny that’s on all of us to fulfill something we have been placed on the earth to do. How could you know what tomorrow brings? If someone was reading your story 50, 100, 500 years from now, how much awe and wonder will they have because of your impact?
It’s easy to see only here, where we are right now, and forget that God has placed something on the inside of us that is meant to impact the trajectory of the world for Him. Things may seem so small right now, infantile, and insignificant. But how could you know what tomorrow brings?
We’ve had one Savior. He’s come, done everything He needed to bring us all back to relationship with Him, and He’s coming again. Now, all of creation is watching and waiting for the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:22). I know what’s it like to ache for something without knowing what I’m aching for. And I think every single person experiences it, because we were made to both know the Light, and then be the light. People are aching for the unfolding of you. For Light - for Him - to be revealed through your life.
All of creation is watching the Savior of the world, through you. As you go through what may seem mundane, may He begin and continue to fulfill the promises He’s made to others, through you… And may you come to see His promises for you fulfilled too.
October 21, 2022
Time to Stand
I get this notification on my Apple Watch during the hours I don’t stand up and move around (or when my watch doesn’t recognize that I’ve been standing, but that’s a whole other post). It always happens at 50 minutes past the hour, so it gives you enough time to stand up and move around for a minute to get your hour on your stand goal accomplished.
I have been thinking recently about times when I need to stand, maybe not physically but on other levels. I have needed to stand and advocate for people and situations in the past. I am called to stand for my faith every day. In my current job, I am asked to advocate for childcare providers and help them accomplish what will help them to continue to serve children and families. I have stood up on my behalf of my mom and others during court hearings and legislative hearings when they could not be there to stand for themselves.
Standing is not always easy, but it is necessary. I would rather stand for what is right than to let it go and find out I should have stood my ground. Ephesians 6:13 says “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” We have to take a stand against the enemy of our souls and to stand firm in what we believe. The reward at the end of our stand is great and completely worth it!
Are there areas in your life where you need to take a stand?
Jesus and Me
I commissioned this painting from a friend recently. I asked her to do something that has to do with music, and I told her I like blues, greens, and pinks. This is what she painted for me. When she first showed it to me, she said, “Jesus and you”. I love this, because it has so many meanings!
First, this painting was made to be used in my music area. It hangs right above my keyboard. I love thinking about Jesus being with me as I’m creating music and listening for His voice.
Second, I want Jesus to always be the biggest influence on my music. I want to always write what He lays on my heart and what He speaks to me. He is in every part of my music. He is the reason for my purpose being fulfilled. He is the heart of it all, so it’s so appropriate that a representation of Him is always right there in the heart of my music-creating space.
Third, I love that the painting shows me leaning on Jesus. It reminds me that I can always lean on Him and trust Him to always know what’s best for me. He knows the timing of when songs should be released and how to make the most impact on my listeners. He knows all the ins and outs of the whole process. Leaning on Him and into Him is a place of comfort and strength.
I’m grateful to have this reminder of who Jesus is in my life. I look forward to continuing to create music in this space. I’m waiting in expectation to see how His will unfolds in my life.
What are the areas of your life where you may need to lean into Jesus more?
June 30, 2022
Never Stop
I updated my letter board the other day. I try to do this fairly often, or whenever I feel the need to remind myself of something else. :) It serves as a reminder to myself, to anyone who comes to my apartment, or anyone who notices on Zoom calls!
I’ve had times when I found myself NOT dreaming or believing in what God has called me to do. We all have times when we struggle and may not FEEL like going on with moving forward in our purpose. In some of my quiet times with the Lord, I’ve heard Him say “don’t stop dreaming”. I always want to live in that place of being content with what I have but also looking forward to the dreams and promises God has given me.
Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) says “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
I am grateful that God is constantly working in my life, constantly giving me something to look forward to and working during times that I may not FEEL like things are happening. I am also grateful that my life does not have to be built on what I feel, but it can be based on the truth of who I am in God and in what He is doing in my life (and in the lives of those around me!).
What are your God-given dreams? Never stop believing in what God can do through the dreams He’s given you!
May 30, 2022
Friends Help You Remember the Words
“Friends help you remember the words to your song when you’ve forgotten how to sing it.” I feel like this was a quote I read somewhere at some point in my life, but maybe it’s some other variation. Either way, it’s so true! I’ve had this happen, both in literal ways and figuratively speaking. When I was recording the song story for “Breath of Life”, I had to ask some friends what the words were to a part of the song. They had been working with the song for about a month at that point, so they knew exactly what the words were.
This happens in figurative ways as well. We all have a life song, and sometimes, when we are struggling, we forget how to sing it. Our friends, and those we do life with, help us to remember how to keep going and how to keep living the life God has planned for us. They help us remember how our own unique songs go.
I’m so incredibly grateful for some friends who have become family to me, as well as my natural family, who help me to keep going and to remember what my purpose is. I’m also grateful for those same people who have grown with me as my life song has changed and become even richer.
Who do you have in your life to help you remember the words to your own unique song?
April 2022
Spring is in the Air
I really enjoy spring time, because it means warmer weather is coming. It also means the flowers start blooming! I love flowers! I saw this flowering tree on my way home tonight, and I had to stop and get a closer look. These are NOT cherry blossoms, but they remind me of them. I love the colors and the beauty of them.
Spring is also a time of renewal. Last year, during this time, I heard God say to my heart, “Spring is coming! Are you ready?”. It really spoke to my heart, because I want to always be ready for what God has for me. I knew it would be a time for renewed hope and dead things coming back to life. God is such a good Father, and He gives His children so many amazing gifts, both in the natural and in the Spirit.
Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) says “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” What a hopeful, life-giving verse! I love how God can take anything, turn it around, and bring something new out of it. He makes a way where there seems to be no way. He sustains us and waters our souls and spirits.
I will ask you what God asked me last year…are you ready for spring?
4/22/22
Worth the Wait
I have a letter board in my kitchen that currently says “Worth the wait-be fearless!”. I have kept this quote up there for a while, because it has a lot of meaning to me, especially in this season (it’s been a long waiting season). There are MANY things I have been waiting for, promises God has given me, and I am trusting Him to fulfill them. I feel like this quote has several aspects to it. 1. The things I have been waiting for are WORTH waiting for. I know that God has purpose for everything, even in the waiting. 2. I want to walk in bold confidence that God is able to fulfill His plans and purpose in my life. Being fearless and not giving in to fear is evidence of that confidence. 3. It helps me know that I can walk without fear, knowing that God has given me power, love, and a sound mind, not fear. 4. I don’t have to try to control things or be afraid that they won’t happen. I can rest, knowing that God will work all things for my good, in His timing.
For anyone who is in a season of waiting, I hope this encourages you and brings new thoughts to mind. My other letter board, which is in my living room, says “Hold on to God’s promises”. They fit together quite well. :) God is so good and so faithful, and He is worth waiting for!