I once watched a group of believers in Haiti pray, and it changed me. They prayed like people on fire—flinging themselves over heaven’s gate with passion I’d never seen before. I couldn’t understand a word of their prayers, but I had never felt so lifted toward God.

It made me want to learn how to pray all over again.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Disappointments

happen, trust gets broken, and hearts get bruised. When that happens, the question isn’t if

you’ll get hurt—it’s whether you’re willing to forgive.

At the heart of all this is a simple question: what kind of friend are you?

We live in what many are calling a "friendship recession." But what if we could reclaim the beauty and importance of friendship, seeing it not as a luxury but as a vital part of who God created us to be?

How can my life shine as praise to the Creator?

As you step into this Christmas week, no matter your circumstances or your state of mind, you can have true peace because Jesus *is* peace. Let’s explore how this peace transforms us:

Do you ever find yourself craving clear direction? That longing for a roadmap or a signpost, something to cut through the confusion and uncertainty of life? We’ve all been there. The good news is, we’re not navigating this journey alone. Jesus doesn’t just point the way; He walks with us, guiding and accompanying us every step. Let’s dive into how Jesus is the ultimate guiding presence for our lives.

When we finally encounter God as He is, we find that He is full of joy—pure, unstoppable joy. And because His joy isn’t tied to circumstances, it’s always available to us, no matter what we face.

Ever have a dream so wonderful that waking up felt like a disappointment? Those fleeting moments remind us of a unique kind of joy—one that’s often hard to capture. Psalm 126 starts with this sentiment: when the exiles returned to Jerusalem, “it was like a dream.” After years of loss and longing, they experienced the kind of joy that leaves you laughing and singing until you cry. But here’s the thing: why don’t more of us have these “pinch me” moments of joy in our lives?

Patience is a staple of farm life. James 5:7-8 calls us to "consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly wait for the valuable harvest to ripen." If you've been sharing Christ with someone for years without seeing change, you’re not alone. We may be sent to work in gospel fields that seem eternally unripe. So, why does Jesus talk about fields ripe for harvest, yet sometimes it feels like the harvest is forever delayed?

1. Sleep, Creep, Leap

"Sleep, creep, leap." A friend once shared this phrase to remind me to be patient with newly planted shrubs. In the first year, they "sleep," putting down unseen roots. In the second, they "creep," showing small signs of growth. By the third, they might "leap" into full bloom, finally showing all that unseen work.

Think about that in terms of a gospel harvest. Growth takes time. Sometimes, it’s so slow that it feels like nothing is happening at all. But there is a season for everything, and God works even when we can’t see it. That’s why James tells us to "be patient" (5:7-8), and Galatians 6:9 assures us that we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up. So why do so many of us start strong in sharing our faith, only to grow weary and stop?

2. Planting Time

There are two main reasons we stop.

First, we lose our concern for the lost. It’s a hard truth, but it’s essential to recognize. If we feel unmoved by the lostness of others, it’s impossible to live out the gospel mission fully. Every day, we encounter people in need of hope, yet we often get so comfortable with our own lives that we forget why we’re here: to plant seeds of faith, hope, and love.

Second, we get tired of the work. Galatians 6:9 urges us, "Don’t get tired of doing good…don’t give up." We might start by witnessing, sharing, and loving others, but eventually, discouragement sets in. We might feel like no one’s listening or that the effort is going nowhere. But just like farming, there’s a season for planting and a season for harvest. Right now is our season for planting. We may not see the fruits immediately, but God promises that a harvest is coming.

3. Time Runs Out

Paul’s reminder in Galatians 6:10 is sobering: "Whenever we have the opportunity, do good to everyone…" He’s not suggesting we share the gospel only when it’s convenient. He’s saying that these moments are what our time is for.

Paul uses the Greek word kairos, which doesn’t mean clock time but a moment filled with purpose and divine opportunity. God creates kairos moments—times when He calls us to act, often at what feels like an "inconvenient" moment. A neighbor might need to talk, a coworker is going through a crisis, or we encounter someone suffering. God calls us to let our agendas be interrupted by His appointments.

Just like a farmer who knows that crops don’t spring up overnight, we must have patience and faith in our labor. Maybe the work feels slow, maybe the fields seem empty, but God’s timing is perfect. Let’s keep planting, even when we’re tired, and be ready for the leap when the harvest finally comes.

(Genesis 37:1-11)

When Favoritism Feels Like Grace but Isn’t