There are seasons in life when you feel like nothing is happening.

You pray, but you don’t see the answer. You prepare, but no opportunity seems to come. You grow, but nobody seems to notice. You believe God has spoken something over your life, yet everything around you seems strangely quiet. Oh boy do I feel that one.

And in the silence, you may begin to wonder:

“ God did I hear You correctly?”

Maybe you haven’t been forgotten.

Maybe you’re being prepared.

God Does Some of His Deepest Work in Hidden Places

We often want God to prepare us publicly.

We want the platform, the opportunities, the open door, the recognition, and the visible evidence that we’re moving forward.

But God frequently works differently.

Before David stood before Israel as King, he was tending sheep.

Before Moses led Israel out of Egypt, he spent years in the wilderness.

Before Jesus began his public ministry, He lived approximately thirty years in relative obscurity.

The hidden season isn’t necessarily a season of punishment.

It can be a season of preparation.

God may be developing your character before He develops your influence.

He may be strengthening your faith before increasing your responsibility.

He may be teaching you how to steward something privately before entrusting it to you publicly.

“ But your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:4

God sees what people don’t see.

He sees the prayer nobody hears.

He sees the tears you wipe away before anyone notices.

He sees you choosing faith when you don’t have all the answers.

Nothing done with God is wasted.

The Hidden Season is Not a Wasted Season

We live in a culture that constantly tells us to put ourselves out there.

Post it.

Share it.

Build your platform.

Show everyone what you’re doing.

But God isn’t impressed by visibility. He is interested in faithfulness.

Sometimes God will intentionally keep something hidden while He works on the person who will eventually carry it.

Think about a seed. When you plant a seed you don’t immediately see a tree.

For a while it looks like nothing is happening.

But underneath the soil, something is taking place.

Roots are developing.

Growth is happening where nobody can see it.

Your hidden season may be doing the same thing in you.

You may not see the fruit yet, but God may be developing roots.

And roots matter.

Because when the storms come, the strength of the tree depends on what was developed beneath the surface.

Don’t Despise Small Beginnings

Zechariah 4:10 says:

“ Do not despise these small beginnings.”

We often want the finished product.

God often starts with something small.

A conversation.

A Bible Study.

A quiet prayer.

A small ministry opportunity.

A single act of obedience.

A hidden talent.

A dream that hasn’t fully developed yet.

A burden God keeps placing on your heart.

Don’t despise it because it doesn’t look impressive yet.

Small does not mean insignificant.

Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish.

A mustard seed became an illustration of great faith.

A young shepherd became king.

A teenage girl named Mary carried the Savior of the world.

God has always been able to take something that looks small and use it for something far greater than anyone have imagined.

What If God is Preparing You, Not Punishing You?

Sometimes we interpret waiting as rejection.

We think:

“ Maybe God doesn’t want this for me.”

“ Maybe I’m behind.”

“ Maybe everyone else is moving forward while I’m standing still.”

“ Maybe God has forgotten about me.”

But what if the delay isn’t denial?”

What if it’s development?

What if God is protecting you from stepping into something before you are ready to carry it?

Because receiving something before you’re prepared for it can become a burden rather then a blessing.

God isn’t just concerned about giving you the promise.

He’s concerned about preparing you to steward the promise.

Before the platform, there must be character.

Before influence, there must be integrity .

Before leadership, there must be humility.

Before greater responsibility, there must be faithfulness.

God cares about who you are becoming just as much as where you are going.

Learn to Love the Secret Place

One of the greatest things you can learn during a hidden season is how to be with God when nobody is watching.

Can you worship without an audience?

Can you pray without receiving recognition?

Can you serve when nobody says thank you?

Can you obey God when nobody knows you obeyed?

Can you keep believing when there is no immediate evidence?

That’s where intimacy with God becomes deeper then performance.

The secret place teaches you to love God for who he is, not simply for what He can give you.

Jesus said:

“ But when you pray, go into your private room and shut the door. Pray to your Father who is in secret. “ – Matthew 6:6

There is something beautiful about a faith that doesn’t need an audience.

God sees.

Sometimes that is enough.

Don’t neglect your season of preparation. You may be wondering when, how, or why. But God is intentional with the doors he’s leading you to. There’s a necessity for growth, wisdom, trust, and being much more like Him to prepare you for His next move.

Hidden Does Not Mean Forgotten

If you’re in a hidden season right now, remember this:

God Sees You

He sees the work you’re doing.

He sees your faithfulness.

He sees your obedience.

He sees the prayers you’ve prayed over and over.

He sees the dream you’ve been afraid to speak about.

He sees the places where you’re growing.

He sees the areas where your still healing.

He sees the person you’re becoming.

Psalm 139 reminds us that there is nowhere we can go where Gods presence isn’t with us.

You are not invisible to God

You are not overlooked by Him.

You are not forgotten.

You are being held by the God who sees you completely.

Trust What God is Doing Beneath the Surface

You may not understand this season yet.

That’s okay.

You don’t have to understand everything to trust God

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us:

“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will guide you.

Sometimes faith looks like moving forward without seeing the entire path.

Sometimes faith looks like moving forward without seeing the entire path.

Sometimes faith looks like staying when you want to run.

Sometimes faith looks like saying:

“ God, I don’t understand what you are doing but I trust you.”

That’s faith.

Your Hidden Season Has Purpose

One day, you may look back at this season differently.

You may realize that the waiting taught you patience.

The disappointment taught you surrender.

The loneliness taught you intimacy with God.

The small assignments taught you faithfulness.

The closed doors protected you.

The unanswered prayers redirected you.

The quiet season strengthened you.

And the person you became in the process was more important than the thing you were waiting to receive.

Don’t rush the preparation.

Don’t despise the ordinary

Don’t compare your journey.

Don’t assume silence means absence.

And don’t mistake hiddeness for abandonment.

God may be doing some of His most important work in you right now.

So keep showing up.

Keep praying.

Keep studying His word.

Keep serving.

Keep growing.

Keep trusting.

Because even when you can’t see what God is doing….

He is still working.

And sometimes the greatest preparation happens in the places where nobody sees.

Habukkuk 2:2 says “ Write the Vision and make it plain on tablets, so he who may run reads it. For the vision awaits its appointed time. It hastens to the end – it will not lie. If it seems slow – wait for it, it will surely come it will not delay.”

You have to write down what you’re believing for – that’s the first step to achieving your dreams that God has placed on your heart. You have to see it through the eyes of faith before you see it come to pass in your life. Then, ask God for his favor. Speak and declare that you have the Favor of God, and believe that you will begin to see His favor at work in your life. As Joel Osteen says “ Get Ready the Creator of the Universe is about to endorse you.”

Second invest in some duct tape! If you can’t speak faith, then sometimes it’s better if you don’t speak at all. The words you speak have power, and constantly speaking negatively over your life can shape the way you see your circumstances. Instead of focusing on everything that is going wrong, choose to speak faith over what God is doing and what you are believing for.

This doesn’t mean you have to pretend that life is perfect or ignore your struggles. It means choosing not to let fear, doubt, and negativity have the final word. When you’re tempted to say “ It will never work out!” remind yourself that “ God is still working”. When you feel like giving up, speak hope. When you can’t yet see the answer, choose to walk by faith and trust that God sees what you cannot.

So if your words aren’t building your faith, encouraging your heart, or aligning with what you’re believing God for, maybe it’s time to invest in some duct tape and let God work while you guard your words.

Next sow a seed, think about the seed more than your need. Galatians 6:9 says “ A man’s harvest in life it depends on entirely what seeds he sews.” If you are believing God for something, little, or big, put your faith in action to show God you’re serious about it, and then he gets serious about it, he will work it out perfectly.

Stay glued to your vision and God will bring the provision. If it’s taking longer than you thought, it’s bigger than you think. When you feel like giving up the most, that’s the sign your breakthrough is almost there.

Proverbs 29:18 says “ Where there is no vision the people perish.” If you don’t have a vision for your life then you will stay stagnant year after year, and one day when you get called home God will hold you accountable for what you did on earth, and he will show you what you missed out on, and all you could have been and done.

So if there’s a dream God has placed on your heart, keep dreaming.

Even when circumstances don’t look like you imagined.

Even when the timeline feels longer than you expected.

Even when you can’t see how everything is going to come together.

Keep Believing

You don’t have to have every detail figured out. You don’t have to know exactly how God is going to do it. Your responsibility is simply to trust Him, keep moving forward, and continue renewing your mind with His word.

Don’t give up on the dream simply because it hasn’t happened yet.

Keep praying.

Keep believing.

Keep speaking life.

Keep taking the next step.

Keep trusting Gods timing.

And above all, keep dreaming. 🦋

Your story isn’t over. Your waiting isn’t wasted. Your dream isn’t too big for God.

There is still so much ahead. 🤍

There are moments in life when we need to be reminded that our story is not over. We may find ourselves walking through disappointment, uncertainty, grief, waiting, or seasons where we simply cannot see what God is doing. But as believers, we have a truth that changes everything:

Jesus is Alive.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is more than a beautiful Easter story. It is the foundation of our faith and the reason we can have hope in every season.

Because he lives, everything changes.

The Cross was NOT the end

When Jesus was crucified, it appeared as though everything had been lost.

The One who healed the sick, opened blind eyes, raised the dead, preached the Kingdom of God, and called people to follow Him was hanging on a cross. His disciples were devastated. His followers were grieving. His body was placed in a tomb, and for a moment, it seemed like death had won.

But God was still working and his task was only just beginning.

What looked like defeat was actually the beginning of victory.

When Jesus gave up his spirit, he descended down into the belly of the earth and waged war on all principalities and powers, and on death, hell, and the grave itself. He made a show of them openly setting the captives free, letting Satan know his dominion and rule was over.

And then on the third day, the stone was rolled away.

The Tomb was Empty.

Jesus had risen.

Because He Lives, We have Hope

One of the greatest gifts of the resurrection is the hope.

Not temporary hope.

Not wishful thinking.

Resurrection Hope

Because Jesus conquered the grave, we can trust God even when our circumstances don’t make sense.

There may be things in our lives that feel dead- dreams we have stopped believing in, relationships that seem impossible to restore, opportunities we thought were gone, or seasons that feel completely barren.

But the resurrection reminds us that God specializes in bringing life where we see only death.

The empty tomb tells us:

God is not Finished.

When it feels impossible to us is never beyond His power.

Because He Lives, We are Never Alone

Jesus didn’t rise from the grave simply so that we could know a historical fact.

He rose so that we could have a relationship with Him.

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus promised His followers that he would be with them. And through the Holy Spirit, Gods presence is with us today.

That means we don’t have walk through life alone.

When we cry, He is near.

When we are afraid, He is near.

When we don’t understand, He is near.

When we are celebrating, He is near.

The resurrection means that Jesus is not merely someone we read about in Scripture.

He is Alive and He is still Working.

Because He Lives, Our Past Does Not Have the Final Word

Sometimes the hardest person to believe God can redeem is ourselves.

We remember our mistakes. We remember seasons when we walked away from God. We remember words we wish we could take back and choices we wish we could redo.

But the resurrection reminds us that Jesus came to make all things new.

Our failures do not have to define us.

Our past does not get the final word.

Jesus does.

When we place our lives in His hands he gives us grace to begin again.

The resurrection is proof that God can take what appears is finished and breathe new life into it.

Because He Lives, We can Face tomorrow.

One of my favorite truths about the resurrection is that it gives us courage for the future.

We don’t know everything tomorrow will bring.

We don’t know every opportunity, challenge, closed door, open door, heartbreak, blessing, or unexpected moment that awaits us.

But we know the One who holds tomorrow.

And that is enough.

Because Jesus lives, I don’t have to be controlled by fear of the future.

I can take the next step.

I can trust God.

I can surrender my plans.

I can continue praying.

I can keep believing.

I can keep showing up.

Even when I don’t see the whole picture, I can trust the One who does.

The Resurrection Changes Everything

The resurrection isn’t just about what happened to Jesus.

It is about what His resurrection means for us.

Because He lives:

• We have hope
• We have forgiveness
• We have new life
• We have access to the Father
• We have the Holy Spirit
• We have purpose.
• We have a Savior who understands our suffering.
• We have a reason to keep believing.

The empty tomb is God’s declaration that death does not have the final victory.

Jesus Does.

What Does “Because He Lives Mean for Me?”

When I think about the resurrection personally, I am reminded that I don’t have to have everything figured out.

I can trust God with the parts of my story that are still being written

I can trust him with my dreams.

I can trust him with my calling.

I can trust him with the waiting seasons.

I can trust him with the things I don’t understand.

And when life feels uncertain, I can return to the most simplest and powerful truth.

Jesus is Alive.

That truth is the bigger than my circumstances.

It is bigger than my fears.

It is bigger than my failures.

It is bigger than whatever season I am currently walking through.

Because He lives, there is always hope.

A Prayer

Jesus, thank You for the cross and thank you for the empty tomb. Thank You for giving your life so that I could have new life in you. When I feel discouraged, remind me that you are alive. When I am afraid of the future, help me trust you. When I feel like something in my life is finished, remind me that You are the God of resurrection. Help me live every day with the hope, joy, courage, and purpose that comes from knowing You. May my life point others toward the truth that You are alive. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Because He Lives

Maybe today you are standing in front of your own “ tomb”.

Maybe something feels impossible.

Maybe you’re waiting for an answer.

Maybe you’re grieving something you lost.

Maybe you’re wondering whether God can still use you.

Look at the empty tomb.

Jesus Lives.

And because He lives, your story is not finished.

Your circumstances may change.

Your plans may change.

Your feelings may change.

But Jesus remains faithful.

So keep praying.

Keep believing.

Keep trusting.

Keep walking.

Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Because the same God who rolled the stone away is still working today.

Because He lives, I have hope.

Because He lives, I have purpose.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, I know my story is still ultimately in his hands.

And because He lives, I can live.

“ He is not here, He has risen, just as be said. “ – Matthew 28:6

Jesus is Alive. And that changes everything.

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There are certain people in the Bible whose lives seem larger than life. David is one of those people.

We remember him as the shepherd boy who defeated Goliath, the king who united Israel, the psalmist who poured his heart out before God, and the man described as having a heart after God. But when I look more closely at David’s life, I don’t see someone who’s perfect. I see someone who was deeply human.

David made mistakes. He experienced fear, disappointment, rejection, loneliness, temptation, failure, and grief. Yet through it all, he continued to come back to God.

And perhaps, that is one of the greatest lessons David’s life teaches us: having a heart after God doesn’t mean having a perfect life. It means continually turning your heart toward him.

God can use You before You feel Ready

Wow that definitely resonates with me right now in my current season. David was not chosen while standing in a palace. He was found in the fields, taking care of sheep.

When the Prophet Samuel came to Jesse’s house to anoint the future king, David wasn’t even considered initially important enough to be brought into the room. His father had to call him in from tending sheep.

Yet God saw something no one else could see.

“ The Lord looks on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

That reminds me that God doesn’t see people the way we do, he looks at their heart and their true intentions.

Sometimes we may feel overlooked, underestimated, or like we’re still waiting in our “ shepherds field “. We may wonder when our opportunity will come or whether anyone sees what God has placed inside of us.

But David’s story reminds us that hidden seasons are not wasted seasons.

God can prepare you in places where nobody sees.

The years David spent caring for sheep were not meaningless. They were preparing him for something greater.

Maybe the season you’re in right now feels ordinary. Maybe you are waiting for the next chapter. Maybe you feel like you are doing small things while dreaming about something bigger.

Don’t despise the field.

God may be developing your character there.

David Knew Where his Strength Came From

One of the most famous moments in David’s life happened when he faced Goliath.

Everyone else saw a giant.

David saw it as an opportunity to trust God.

David didn’t pretend Goliath wasn’t intimidating. He simply knew that Goliath wasn’t bigger than God.

His confidence wasn’t ultimately in his own ability. It was in the God who had already helped him overcome difficulties in the past.

That challenges me in my own life.

How often do I look at the size of my circumstances instead of the greatness of my God?

Sometimes our “ Goliaths” look like fear, uncertainty, rejection, financial pressure, difficult relationships, disappointment, or simply not knowing what comes next.

But the God who was faithful before is still faithful now AMEN?

David’s story encourages me to remember what God has already brought me through.

If he carried me through yesterday, I can trust him with tomorrow. Mmmm that’s a word for somebody!

A Heart After God is a Heart that Worships

David was a worshiper.

Before he was a king, he was a musician, before people knew his name, he was writing songs to God.

The Psalms give us a window into David’s heart.

He worshipped when he was joyful.

He cried out when he was afraid.

He questioned when he was confused.

He praised God when he experienced Victory.

He sought God when he was desperate.

David didn’t hide his emotions from God.

He brought them to him. God can handle your emotions and your questions.

That has been such an important reminder for me: God doesn’t require me to pretend I’m ok when I’m not.

I can come to him honestly.

I can say “ God I’m scared.”

I can say “ God, I don’t understand.”

I can say “ God I’m disappointed.”

I can say “ God I’m grateful.”

I can worship him through tears.

A heart after God isn’t a heart that never struggles. It’s a heart that knows where to take the struggle.

David Learned to Wait.

David was anointed to become king long before he actually became king.

That waiting period wasn’t easy.

There were moments when David had every reason to believe the promise God had given him would never happen.

He was hunted by Saul. He lived in caves, He experienced betrayal and uncertainty.

Yet David waited.

And that speaks deeply to me because waiting can be one of the hardest parts of faith.

We want the promise now.

We want the answer now.

We want the open door now.

We want to understand what God is doing now.

But sometimes God works in the waiting.

The waiting isn’t necessarily punishment.

Sometimes it is preparation.

God was not only preparing David for a position. He was preparing David’s heart for the responsibility that came with it.

Perhaps your waiting season is preparing you for something you aren’t ready to carry yet.

Don’t rush what God is using to prepare you.

David Failed – But He Repented

This may be one of the most important parts of David’s story.

David committed serious sin.

His story with Bathsheba and Uriah is painful and sobering. David’s position did not make him immune to temptation or consequences.

But when David was confronted by Nathan, he didn’t try to justify his actions before God.

He confessed and repented.

Psalm 51 gives us a glimpse of his repentance:

“ Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me. “ – Psalm 51: 10

That prayer has always been one that stood out to me.

David wasn’t asking God to simply make his consequences disappear.

He was asking God to change his heart.

That is a powerful picture of repentance.

Repentance isn’t just feeling bad that we got caught. It’s turning our hearts back to God and asking him to transform us.

David’s failures were real, and so were the consequences.

But his story reminds us that failure doesn’t have to be the end of our relationship with God,

We can return.

We can repent.

We can be restored.

We can allow God to create something new in us.

David Loved God’s Presence.

One of the things I so admire about David is his desire for Gods presence.

David didn’t simply want God’s blessing.

He wanted God Himself.

That is a challenge for all of us.

It’s easy to become focused on what God can do for us – open doors, provide opportunities, answer prayers, bless our families, give us direction, or fulfill our dreams.

But David reminds me to ask a question:

Do I want the Giver more than I want the gifts?

A heart after God doesn’t chase Gods hand while ignoring His heart.

It seeks his presence.

It wants to know him.

It wants to hear his voice.

That’s what I strive to do every day.

God can redeem Broken Pieces

David’s life wasn’t a straight line.

There were victories and failures.

There were mountaintops and valleys.

There were moments of courage and moments of fear.

There were celebrations and moments of deep grief.

And somehow God continued working through all of it.

That gives me hope.

Because sometimes we look at our lives and see broken pieces.

We see mistakes.

We see seasons we wish we could redo.

We see the prayers that haven’t been answered.

But God sees the whole story.

He is not finished simply because the chapter you’re currently living in isn’t what you expected.

David’s story reminds me that God can redeem what we thought was wasted.

He can use our testimony.

He can use our pain.

He can use our waiting.

He can use our failures when we surrender them to him.

What Does it Mean to Have a Heart After God?

When I think about David’s life, I don’t think a heart after God means being perfect.

I think it means being willing.

Willing to listen.

Willing to repent.

Willing to worship.

Willing to wait.

Willing to trust.

Willing to get back up after failing.

Willing to seek God when life doesn’t make sense.

David’s life reminds me that God isn’t looking for people who have everything figured out.

He’s looking for hearts that are fully surrendered to him.

And that is the kind of heart I want.

I want a heart that seeks God when things are going well and when they’re falling apart.

I want a heart that worships before the breakthrough comes.

I want a heart that trusts God in the waiting.

I want a heart that is quick to repent when I get it wrong.

I want a heart that desires God’s presence more than his blessings.

I want my life to point back to him.

A Prayer for A Heart After God

Father,

Create in me a heart that seeks You.

Teach me to trust You when I don’t understand what you’re doing.

Help me to worship You in every season – not just when life is easy.

Give me the courage to face the giants in front of me and the humility to remember that my strength comes from you.

When I fall, help me to run toward you instead of away from you.

When I have to wait, teach me patience.

When I feel overlooked, remind me that You see me.

When I am afraid, remind me of Your faithfulness.

And above everything else, give me a heart that desires Your presence.

Let my life be a testimony of Your Grace, your mercy, and Your faithfulness.

Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Final Thoughts

David’s story reminds me that God isn’t searching for perfection.

He’s looking at the heart.

And while I know I’ll never get everything right, I want my heart to continually turn toward him.

When I fall, I want to return.

When I succeed, I want to worship.

When I wait, I want to trust.

When I’m afraid, I want to remember His faithfulness.

And when God calls me into something greater, I want to be found with a heart that is fully surrendered to him.

May we become people who don’t just know about God, but who truly seek his heart.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what I want my life to be about:

A heart after God.

There are some stories in the Bible that we read once and think we understand, only to come back to them years later and realize there was so much more there.

The story of Ruth is one of those stories for me.

At first glance, Ruth is a beautiful story about loyalty, love, family, and restoration. But when I look deeper, I see something even greater.

I see Jesus.

I see a God who takes what looks broken and begins writing a beautiful story

I see a God who meets us in our emptiness.

I see a Redeemer who doesn’t simply rescue us from where we’ve been – He gives us a new future.

And that is the heart of the gospel.

Ruth begins with Loss

Ruth’s story doesn’t begin with everything falling into place.

It begins with loss.

Naomi, Ruth’s mother in law loses her husband and both of her sons. Ruth loses her husband. Suddenly, these women are facing a future filled with uncertainty.

Naomi even tells the women of Bethlehem:

“ I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty.” – Ruth 1:21

I think there are moments in life when we can understand Naomi’s words.

Maybe we’ve experienced a season where something we loved was taken away.

Maybe a dream did not come to pass or happen like we thought it would.

Maybe we’ve experienced disappointment, rejection, loneliness, grief, or uncertainty.

Sometimes we can look at our life and think, “How did I get here?”

But Ruth reminds us that an empty chapter does not mean the story is over.

God was still working.

Even when Naomi couldn’t see it.

Even when Ruth couldn’t see it.

Even when their circumstances looked hopeless.

God was already preparing redemption:

Ruth Chooses Faithfulness

Ruth could have returned to her former life.

Instead she chooses to stay with Naomi.

Her words are some of the most beautiful words of commitment in Scripture:

“ Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” – Ruth 1:16

Ruth didn’t know what the future would look like.

She simply knew who she was choosing to walk with.

That speaks to me deeply.

Sometimes faith is simply saying,

Lord, wherever You Lead me, I’ll follow

Ruth walked into an uncertain future with faithfulness.

And God met her there.

God was Working in the Ordinary

One of my favorite things about Ruth’s story is that God’s redemption didn’t begin with a dramatic miracle. It began with Ruth going to glean in the field.

She was simply doing what she could with what she had.

And Scripture says:

“ She happened to come to the part of the field that belonged to Boaz.” – Ruth 2:3

What looks like coincidence to us can be providence in the hands of God.

Ruth probably didn’t realize what was happening when she walked into that field.

She didn’t know that Boaz would become part of her story.

She didn’t know that her ordinary obedience was placing her exactly where God wanted her.

And I think we need that reminder sometimes.

God is working in the ordinary places.

In the Job.

In the waiting.

In the conversation.

In the small act of obedience.

In the season where it doesn’t look particularly significant.

We may not recognize what God is doing while we’re living it.

But doesn’t mean He isn’t doing anything,

Boaz: A Picture of the Redeemer

Boaz becomes one of the most beautiful pictures of redemption in Ruth’s story.

He notices Ruth. He protects her. He provides for her. He speaks kindly to her. He doesn’t shame her because of her past of her identity as a Moabite.

Instead he welcomes her.

Eventually, Boaz acts as Ruth’s kinsman- redeemer.

He steps in to redeem what had been lost.

And this is where I can’t help but see Jesus.

Boaz points us toward the greater Redeemer.

Jesus.

Jesus sees us.

Jesus knows our story.

Jesus knows every chapter we’ve tried to hide.

He knows our failures, our disappointments, our fears, and our regrets.

And yet he doesn’t turn away.

He comes near.

He redeems, he restores.

He makes us new.

Jesus is our Redeemer.

The beautiful thing about redemption is that Jesus doesn’t pretend the brokenness never happened.

He takes our shame and gives us grace.

He takes our sin and gives us forgiveness.

He takes our hopelessness and gives us hope.

He takes our old identity and gives us a new one.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says “ Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation.”

That is redemption.

The enemy may want us to believe that our past determines our future.

Jesus says otherwise.

Your past may be apart of our story, but it doesn’t have to be the ending.

Ruth’s story Changed Everything.

Ruth went from being a grieving widow to becoming part of a family.

But her story didn’t stop there.

Ruth became the mother of Obed.

Obed became the father of Jesse.

Jesse became the father of David.

And generations later, Jesus was born through the lineage of David.

Think about that.

Ruth probably couldn’t see the significance of her obedience in the moment.

She couldn’t see the generations that would come after her.

She couldn’t see how God was weaving her story into the story of redemption.

But God could.

Her Ordinary Faithfulness became part of God’s extraordinary plan.

And that makes me wonder how many things God is doing through our lives that we can’t see yet.

How many prayers are affecting generations we haven’t met?

How many acts of obedience are creating opportunities we don’t know about?

How many difficult seasons are preparing us for something God has already planned?

We don’t always get to see the whole picture.

But we can trust the One who does.

Your Story isn’t Over

Maybe you feel like Naomi.

Maybe you’re looking at a chapter of your life and thinking “ I’m empty.”

Maybe you feel like Ruth- unsure of what comes next and simply trying to be faithful with what God has placed in front of you.

If that’s you I want to remind you of something:

Your Story isn’t over.

God is still writing.

The field you’re standing in may look ordinary, but God may be positioning you for something you cannot see yet.

The season that feels like waiting may actually be preparation. Now that’s a word for somebody right there! The door that closed may be making room for another one. The loss you’ve experienced may not be the end of your story. Because we serve a Redeemer.

Redemption doesn’t always look like what we expected.

Sometimes we think redemption means God will give us back exactly what we lost.

But God’s redemption is often greater than simply restoring the past.

He creates something new.

Ruth didn’t get her old life back.

She received a new life.

A new family.

A new future and a new Identity.

And ultimately, she became a part of a story much bigger than herself.

That’s what Jesus does.

He doesn’t simply take us back to where we were before.

He transforms us into who He created us to be.

The God Who sees the Whole Story

One of the greatest lessons I take from Ruth is that God sees the entire story when we can only see one page.

Ruth saw a field. God saw a future.

Naomi saw emptiness. God saw restoration.

Ruth saw uncertainty. God saw purpose.

And sometimes I have to remind myself of that in my own life.

When I don’t understand what God is doing, I can still trust him.

When I don’t know what’s next, I can still follow him.

When I can’t see the purpose, I can still believe he has one.

Because redemption means God is never finished.

Jesus, Our Greater Redeemer

Ruth’s story ultimately points beyond Ruth.

It points to Jesus.

Boaz was a redeemer for Ruth, but Jesus is the Redeemer for all who place their trust in Him.

Boaz could restore Ruth’s earthly future.

Jesus restores our relationship with God.

Boaz could provide a family. Jesus brings us into the family of God.

Boaz could redeem a portion of Ruth’s earthly inheritance. Jesus gives us an eternal inheritance.

And that is why Ruth’s story matters so much.

It isn’t just a love story.

It isn’t just simply a story about Ruth and Boaz.

It is a story about redemption.

And redemption is the story of the gospel.

Maybe You’re in Ruth Chapter 1

If you’re currently walking through a Ruth 1 season right now, don’t give up.

If you’re grieving, God sees you.

If you’re waiting, God sees you.

If you’re walking into something unfamiliar, God sees you.

If you’re faithfully doing something that feels small and insignificant, God sees you.

And if you don’t understand how your story could probably become beautiful again, remember Ruth.

The same God who brought redemption to Ruth and Naomi is still writing stories of redemption today.

You may only see the field.

God sees the Harvest.

You may only see the waiting.

God sees the purpose.

You may only see the broken pieces.

God can see what he can build.

You may only see your past.

Jesus sees your redeemed future.

A Prayer for the Waiting Season

Jesus,

Thank you for being our Redeemer.

When I feel empty like Naomi, remind me that you are still working.

When I feel uncertain like Ruth, give me the courage to follow You even when I cannot see what comes next.

Help me trust you in the ordinary moments.

Help me recognize Your presence in the place where I least expect it.

Take the broken pieces of my story and use them for your glory.

Remind me that my past does not have the final word.

You do.

Thank you for redeeming what I thought was lost.

And above all, thank you Jesus – the greatest redeemer of them all.

Amen

A Final Thought

Maybe the chapter you’re living in right now doesn’t look like anything you imagined.

That’s ok.

Ruth didn’t know what was waiting for her in that field.

She simply kept walking.

And sometimes that’s what faith looks like.

One step.

One prayer.

One act of obedience.

One day at a time.

Keep walking.

Keep trusting.

Keep believing.

Because the Redeemer is still writing your story.

And when you look back someday, you may realize that what felt like an ordinary field was actually a place where God was beginning something extraordinary.

You are not forgotten.

You are not disqualified. You are not without purpose. Your story is not over.

You have a redeemer.

And his name is Jesus. ❤️

Key Scripture: “ So now, go. I am sending you to Pharoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt. “ – Exodus 3:10 ( NIV)

Have you ever felt God stirring your heart toward something that seemed far bigger than you?

Maybe he’s calling you to serve, share your faith, begin a ministry, forgive someone, or step into a new season. Yet instead of confidence, you feel fear or unworthy. Questions fill your mind.

“ Am I qualified?”

“ What if I fail?”

“ Why would God choose me?”

If you’ve ever wrestled with those thoughts, you are not alone. Moses did too.

One of the greatest leaders in Scripture began his calling not with confidence, but with hesitation. His story reminds us that God’s calling isn’t based on our ability – it’s based on his presence.

God sees you before he calls you

Before Moses stood before Pharoh, he was simply tending sheep in the wilderness.

To the world, Moses’ best years may have seemed behind him. He had fled Egypt after making a terrible mistake and spent decades living a quiet life as a shepherd.

Yet God had not forgotten him.

At the burning bush, God reveled Himself and called Moses by name ( Exodus 3). Before giving Moses an assignment, God first revealed his Holy Presence.

God knew exactly where Moses was.

He also knows exactly where you are.

Nothing about your life surprises him. Your past, your weaknesses, your disappointments, and your fears do not disqualify you from His purposes.

God Often calls the Unqualified

When God told Moses to confront Pharoh, Moses immediately responded with doubt.

“ Who am I that I should go?” ( Exodus 3:11)

His questions continued,

• What if they don’t believe me?
• I’m not eloquent
• Please send someone else

Does that sound familiar? It does to me because I’ve had those questions myself.

Many believers have felt the same way.

We compare ourselves to others.

We focus on our weaknesses.

We assume God made a mistake.

But God doesn’t call people because they are perfect.

He calls people who are willing to trust him.

He doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.

Gods Presence is the Difference

God didn’t answer every one of Moses’s questions and fears with a detailed plan.

Instead, He gave him a promise.

“I WIL BE WITH YOU” ( Exodus 3:12)

That promise changed everything.

Moses would face impossible situations:

• Standing before Pharoh
• Leading an entire nation .
• Crossing the Red Sea.
• Wandering through the Wilderness.
• Receiving the Ten Commandments.

None of these victories came because of just Moses in his own strength.

They happened because God was with him.

The same promise echoes throughout Scripture.

Jesus told his followers:

“ Surely I am with you always even to the very end of the age” ( Matthew 28:20)

When God calls you, He also walks with you.

Your Weakness is not your disqualification

Moses saw his weaknesses.

God saw his purpose.

Moses saw his lack of eloquence.

God saw faith that would grow through obedience.

Sometimes we spend so much time looking at what we lack that we forget to look at the one who called us.

God has never depended on human perfection to accomplish His plans.

Throughout Scripture He used shepherds, fisherman, shepherd boys, tax collectors, and ordinary women and men, whose greatest qualification was their willingness to trust him.

Courage Begins with One Step

Moses didn’t become courageous overnight.

His courage grew every time he obeyed.

Every step of obedience strengthened his faith.

The same is true for us.

You don’t need to know every detail before saying yes to God.

You simply need to trust the One who already knows the way.

Faith doesn’t mean the absence of fear.

Faith means choosing obedience even when fear is present.

Someone is waiting on the other side of your obedience. You never know who you will impact with your yes.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for calling ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for Your kingdom. When fear tells me I’m not enough, remind me that You are more than enough. Help me to stop focusing on my limitations and begin trusting your presence. Give me courage to obey even when I feel uncertain. Strengthen my faith, one step at a time, and use my life to bring glory to You.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.

Key Scripture:

“ And Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

Introduction: God places us where we are on purpose

The Book of Esther is a book about calling, courage, and purpose. Even though God never audibly spoke, he was still moving and working through this one women’s life.

Have you ever wondered why God placed you in a certain season, workplace, family, community, or circumstance? Sometimes we look at our lives and wonder if our position matters. But the story of Esther reminds us that God’s placement is never accidental.

Esther was a young woman who never expected or wanted to become queen, but God was preparing her for a moment that requires faith, courage, and obedience. She discovered that her influence was not just for her own blessing – it was meant to bring freedom and hope to others.

Esther’s Hidden Preparation

Before Esther stepped into what God had for her, she experienced a season of preparation. She spent months being refined before entering the palace.

Sometimes God uses hidden seasons to prepare us:

• Building our character
• Strengthening our faith
• Teaching us obedience
• Developing wisdom and courage

The waiting season is not meant to be wasted. God is working even when we cannot see the outcome.

Esther Had to Choose Courage over Comfort

When Esther learned about Haman’s plan to destroy the Jewish people, she faced a difficult choice. Approaching the king without being summoned could cost her life.

Her cousin Mordecai challenged her with a powerful reminder: maybe she had been placed in her position “ For Such A Time as This. “

Esther could have stayed silent to protect herself, but instead she chose courage.

God often calls us to step out in faith:

• To speak truth with love
• To encourage someone who is hurting
• To use our gifts to serve others
• To stand for what is right

Courage does not mean we are never afraid. Courage means we trust God more than we trust our fears.

God can use Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purposes

Esther was not born into royalty. She was an orphan who was raised by her cousin Mordecai. Yet God transformed her story.

This reminds us:

• Your past does not disqualify you
• Your circumstances do not limit God.
• Your identity is not defined by what others see.

God sees potential, purpose, and destiny.

What does “ For Such a Time as This Mean for Us?”

Like Esther, we all have moments where God invites us to respond.

Maybe your “ Such a time as this “ looks like :

• Starting the ministry God placed on your heart.
• Encouraging someone who needs hope
• Using your gifts to glorify God
• Being light in a difficult environment
• Trusting God in a season of change

You do not have to wait until everything is perfect. God works through willing hearts.

Godly Women move with grace and courage, in alignment with divine timing “.

Reflection Questions:

1. Where has God placed me in this season?
2. What opportunity is God asking me to step into with courage?
3. Am I choosing comfort, or am I choosing obedience?
4. How can I be a source of God’s love and hope to others?

Prayer

Lord, thank you for reminding me that my life has purpose. Help me recognize the opportunities You have placed before me. Give me the courage of Esther to step forward in faith, even when I feel afraid. Use my gifts, my story, and my voice for Your glory. Help me trust that I am exactly where you have called me to be for such a time as this. Amen.

Closing Thought

Esther’s story reminds us that God can take one persons obedience and use it to impact many lives. You may not always see the bigger picture, but God does.

You were created with purpose. You were placed with intention. And God can use you – right now – for such a time as this.

Have you ever experienced the Favor of God?

I have and I have learned to expect it in my every day life. Many people think it is walking through life without challenges, closed doors, or difficult seasons. But biblical favor is not about the absence of hardship – it is the presence of God guiding, strengthening and opening the right doors according to his purpose.

The Favor of God is his unmerited blessing, kindness, help and his goodness working in our lives because of how much he loves us and his grace.

What is the Favor of God?

The word ” favor” in the word of God, often refers to God’s grace, acceptance, delight and blessing. It is not something we can earn through our own perfections and accomplishments. Favor flows from a loving Father who desires to lead his children.

Psalm 5:12 says ” Surely Lord you bless the righteous; you surround them with your Favor as with a shield.”

Gods favor surrounds his people like a shield or umbrella. It protects, guides, and reminds us, that we are never walking through life alone.

Favor comes through relationship, not performance

One of the greatest misunderstandings of Gods favor is that we have to work harder to deserve it. The truth is that we cannot earn what God freely gives. When God grants you his favor. Nothing can stop the blessing he has in store.

God is saying to you today,

There’s favor on your life that cannot be explained. You are stepping into rooms you didn’t qualify for. You are being elevated in ways you didn’t expect. My favor will cause your name to be brought up in the right conversations. Keep your heart humble and your spirit expectant. I am shifting things in your favor right now. What was hard is about to become easy. What was blocked is about to break open. Walk in bold confidence because you are fully covered by my blessing and divine grace.

Favor is not God liking you more. It is God trusting you with weight others cannot carry. Stop shrinking so people feel comfortable around a calling they were never assigned.

Confess that I am surrounded by the Favor of God daily and soon you will start to see it in your every day life! The moment you declare it, things start happening and shifting in your favor for his glory.

From Genesis to Malachi, there is a steady unbroken theme woven through scripture – a crimson thread of blood, sacrifice and covering. At first glance, the Old Testament sacrificial system can feel distant or difficult to understand. But when seen through the lens of Christ it becomes a powerful picture of God’s redemptive plan from the very beginning.

This is not a story of random rituals. It is a story of foreshadowing. Every sacrifice, every altar, every drop of blood was pointing to the ultimate, perfect and final sacrifice – Jesus.

First Sacrifice: The Covering of Grace

The first sacrifice happens in Genesis with Adam and Eve, when they eat the fruit from the tree of good and evil. When they realize their nakedness and shame, they sew together some fig leaves, trying to hide themselves from God – human effort trying to cover up their broken relationship with him.

But God does something different.

He clothes them with garments of animal fur ( Genesis 3:21). For the first time blood is shed to cover sin. Sin requires covering and God himself requires it. Even in the beginning, the Crimson Thread begins to form.

Abel’s Offering: Worship through Blood

In Genesis 4, Abel brings an offering through a first born from his flock, God accepted Abel’s sacrifice because it was offered in faith and involved the shedding of blood.

This foreshadowed Jesus, whose blood would become the perfect offering accepted by the Father on behalf of sinners.

Abraham and Issac

One of the clearest pictures of Jesus appears in the Mountain called Moriah. God gave instructions to Abraham to offer his beloved son Issac. Just before Abraham lifted the knife to kill him, God stopped him and provided a ram caught in the thicket.

Abraham said “ God himself will provide the lamb.”

Centuries later, on a nearby hill, God did exactly that, with Jesus. Unlike Issac, Jesus wasn’t spared. The Father willingly gave his only Son, so we could live.

The Passover Lamb

Before Israel left Egypt, every family sacrificed an unblemished lamb.

Its blood was wiped across the doorposts.

When the Angel of death came, every home covered by the blood was spared. ( Exodus 12.)

Where there was no blood, judgment came.

This was not just history- it was prophecy

Jesus Is our Passover lamb.

Without blemish. Without sin. Without flaw.

And his blood still speaks protection over every believer today.

Every altar was pointing somewhere ✝️

Burnt offerings

Sin offerings

Guilt offerings

Peace offerings

Morning and evening sacrifices

Each one whispered the same truth.

Something greater is coming

The Old Testament altar was never the finished product – It was the announcement.

A Savior was on his way.

The book of Hebrews explains the blood of bulls and goats could never permanently remove sin.

They had to be repeated again and again because they were only shadows.

The Crimson Thread reaches the Cross 💔

The thread that began in Eden, now reaches Calvary.

Every sacrifice. Every Altar. Every Prophecy.

All leading to this moment.

Where love and justice meet,

Where mercy triumphs over judgement.

Where the perfect Lamb lays down his life for the world.

🌿What this means for us today

Because of Jesus:

• We are not trying to earn forgiveness
• We are not living by the Old Covenant and under sacrifice
• We are not defined by guilt or shame.

We are redeemed.

Washed.

Restored.

Covered completely by his blood.

🤍 Prayer

Father, thank you for the crimson thread of redemption that runs through all of scripture. Thank you that every sacrifice points to Jesus, the perfect Lamb who gave his life for us. Help us to see your Word with new eyes and to understand the depth of your love revealed at the cross. Let our hearts never dull to the wonder of salvation. In Jesus name.

Amen.