Ordinary Hands

 May 20, 2026

Exodus 31:1–5

 “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills...”

 I believe when we think about people filled with the Spirit of God, our minds often think of the Old Testament Prophets preaching, or Kings leading nations, or Priests standing in holy places like a temple or synogogue leading the worship of the community of God’s people.

But, the unexpected is described for us in Exodus 31. Here we are introduced to the first person in Scripture who was specifically described as being “filled with the Spirit of God.” He is not a Prophet, not a King, not a Priest, he is none of those things. He is a craftsman by the name of Bezalel.

Bezalel is such an exciting part of the Story of God’s people. He was not called to deliver sermons or lead armies into battle. He was called, are you ready for this(?), He was called to work with his hands. God filled him with the Spirit to design, build, carve, shape, sew, and create beauty for the tabernacle. Amazing right!!

Bezalel’s calling matters profoundly. Because it reminds us that the Spirit of God is not only present in dramatic moments or public ministry. The Spirit is also present in workshops, kitchens, offices, classrooms, farms, studios, garages, and everyday acts of faithful work.

God says that He filled Bezalel with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and craftsmanship.

What I want us to notice in the language here is that creativity, craftsmanship,  is not treated as separate from spirituality. The skill of a craftsman is not viewed as less holy, or less spiritual than preaching or prayer.

The Spirit empowers imagination. The Spirit inspires excellence. The Spirit delights in beauty, order, detail, and meaningful work.

I feel that sometimes we wrongly divide life into “sacred” and “ordinary” or "secular" categories, as though God only cares about what happens in church buildings. But Exodus 31teaches us something different. God cares about the work of human hands. He values artistry, craftsmanship, and creativity because these things reflect the work of the Creator Himself.

I find this passage holds something important and encouraging for us. So often, I hear people wondering about what they have to offer to God. They say “my gifts are just ordinary, I’m not a Prophet, Priest, or King,  I’m not a leader." Yet this story about Bezalel reminds us that the Spirit delights in filling ordinary people for unexpected and extremely meaningful purposes.

Some people build.

Some organize.

Some encourage.

Some teach children.

Some repair broken things.

Some cook meals.

Some create music.

Some care for the hurting.

Some work behind the scenes where few people notice.

The Bible tells us that the Spirit works through all of it. The kingdom of God is built through countless faithful acts of Spirit-filled service that often go unseen.

As we move toward the season of Pentecost, we see this same truth expanding into the life of the church. At Pentecost, the Spirit is poured out not on one gifted individual, but on the whole community of believers. The Spirit equips ordinary people with diverse gifts for one shared mission.

Some speak. Some serve. Some lead. Some create. Some show mercy. Some offer wisdom. Some strengthen others quietly and faithfully.

 The Spirit of God forms a body where every gift matters and every person has a place. The same Spirit who filled Bezalel still fills God’s people today.

Let me ask you to think about the following today, “What gifts, skills, or passions has God placed in your life?”

Could it be that God’s Spirit wants to use those very things, not just in extraordinary situations, but in your everyday work, relationships, and acts of service? 

Let’s Pray

Holy Spirit,
thank You for working through ordinary people.
Fill us with wisdom, creativity, faithfulness, and joy in the work You have given us to do. Teach us to see our gifts as opportunities to serve Your kingdom.
Use our hands, our minds, our words, and our daily lives for Your glory.

Amen.

THE SPIRIT WHO CREATES

 May 18, 2026

Genesis 1:2

 “The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”  

The Bible tells us that before there was light, sky, land, or living creatures, the Spirit of God was already there, present, moving, hovering over the deep.

The book of Genesis introduces the Spirit not with sound or a dazzling display, but with the picture of a quiet, faithful presence. We read that the world was formless, empty, and dark, yet the Spirit did not pull away from the chaos. The Spirit moved toward it.

The Hebrew word for “hovering” carries the image of a bird watching over its nest, gentle and protective. For example in “Deuteronomy 32:11 we read "Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young...” This describes a bird fluttering protectively over its young, attentively and preparing them for life.

So in Genesis, the Spirit is not absent from chaos. The Spirit is moving over it like a mother bird over a nest, preparing creation for birth, order, beauty, and life. Before creation takes shape, the Spirit is already preparing for life.

You know what, that is still how the Spirit works today.

When life feels uncertain, cluttered, or overwhelming, God’s Spirit does not abandon us. The Spirit enters the confusion and begins bringing order, beauty, and hope.

God's good Creation continually affirms this truth. Each sunrise or sunset, each flowing river we take in, and every night sky loaded with stars, testify to a world created by the breath of God. What the Bible teaches us is that the same Spirit who shaped creation is still active, transforming hearts, renewing minds, and breathing life into weary souls.

And the approaching season of Pentecost reminds us that the Spirit’s work did not end in Genesis with creation.

The same Spirit who hovered over the waters at creation now moves among God’s people, shaping courage, unity, compassion, and new life. Pentecost reveals creation renewed as the Spirit breathes God’s life into us once again.

So today, consider this:

What part of your life feels unfinished, uncertain, or empty right now?

I wonder if perhaps that is the very place where the Spirit is already hovering, bringing life in ways you cannot yet see.


Let's Pray

Holy Spirit,
hover over the places in my life that feel chaotic or unfinished.
Bring Your peace where there is fear,
Your light where there is darkness,
and Your life where I feel empty.
Shape me into part of Your new creation.
Amen.

Invitation to Explore

 May 15, 2026

John 20:30–31

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The verses above are the way John closes his Gospel, it is an interesting statement, isn't it? John admits that not every story about Jesus was written down in his gospel. The point he makes is that his intent was to carefully selected certain moments, conversations, miracles, and encounters “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

I believe this ending says something rather important. It suggests to us that the Bible does not present faith as a blind leap into the dark. Rather the Bible invites us to look closely at its words, listen carefully to it's story, and consider the evidence that is revealed. Remeber what we said a few days ago, the writers of Scripture repeatedly point to real people, real places, real events, and real experiences. Again and again, the invitation is simple: explore this amazing "library" for ourself.

A reading of the Bible reveals that questions often open the door to deeper insight. Thomas doubted the resurrection. Nicodemus wrestled with Jesus’ teachings late into the night. The Psalms, go ahead and read a few Psalms today, they overflow with heartfelt cries of confusion and wonder. Here is what I have discovered, God never seems troubled by our genuine searching, doubts or questions. That is Good News!!

John’s Gospel was written for "seekers" like us in mind. It is both an invitation and an open door. "Come and see," Jesus invited disciples earlier in the gospel, and us today. So let's Read and reflect. Ask and seek. God welcomes honest investigation.

Maybe your questions are intellectual:
Can the Bible really be trusted?
Did Jesus truly rise from the dead?

Or maybe your questions are personal:
Where is God when life hurts?
Can faith and doubt co-exist?
Is there hope for me?

Wherever you are in your quest, God meets you there.

Let's Pray

God, thank You for welcoming honest questions and sincere searching. Give me courage to explore faith with an open heart and mind. Help me discover truth, hope, and life as I seek You. Amen.

THE STORY THAT CHANGES LIVES

 May 14, 2026

Hebrews 4:12

 “For the word of God is alive and active…” 

Let's begin with a question, has any story, biblical or otherwise, ever changed how you see the world, yourself, or God?

I believe stories shape us. A single moment in a book, a film, or a conversation can shift how we see ourselves, others, or the world. I was reminded of a part of the writer C.S. Lewis' story recently that illustrates this. Lewis who was once a committed atheist, speaks about these long conversations he had with friends like J.R.R. Tolkien, and how his perspective slowly shifted. One late-night conversation about myth, truth, and Jesus became a turning point that eventually led Lewis to faith in Jesus and to his gifted writing of books that influenced millions. 

Today, lets think about one story that has changed more lives than any other, that is the story found in Bible.

Hebrews 4:12 makes a bold claim: saying God’s word is alive.  Not just ancient literature. Alive. Active. Sharp enough to reach places in us that nothing else can touch.

People across centuries and cultures testify to this being true.

Those with no religious background, the skeptical, the hurting, the searching, and even those who weren’t seeking anything at all. When they encountered the Bible's story, something stirred within them. Something shifted, healed, broke open, and came alive.

Why does this happen?

Because the Bible doesn’t just tell stories, it reveals a Story. "A Story big enough to hold our questions, our pain, our failures, our hopes, and our longing for meaning. A Story that speaks into the deepest parts of who we are."

When people read Scripture, they often describe moments like these:

A verse that feels like it was written for them
A story that mirrors their own struggles
A teaching that exposes something they’ve been avoiding
A promise that brings unexpected comfort
A picture of Jesus that feels startlingly personal

This is the language encounter.

The same God who breathed life into creation breathes life through His word. The Bible doesn’t just inform, it transforms. It doesn’t just explain, it invites. It doesn’t just speak, it searches, heals, confronts, and restores.

Because Scripture is not just a book, it’s a meeting place. It’s where God’s story connects with yours and mine, where ancient words come alive, and where people realize they are seen, known, and loved.

Millions have been changed by this Story. And the invitation is open for all.

That You May Know

 May 13, 2026

 Luke 1:1–4

1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke begins his Gospel with research.

He explains that he carefully investigated events, listened to eyewitnesses, and organized his account so that readers could “know the certainty” of what they had been taught. Luke writes more like a careful historian seeking to preserve truth than a creator of unverifiable folk tales or myths.

That matters.

The Biblical story is not buil on ideas or feelings. It is rooted in real people, real places, and real events. The Bible doesn’t ask us to turn off our minds or "check our brains at the door." Again and again, Scripture invites examination, memory, testimony, and witness.

Luke's gospel shows an understanding that faith and truth go hand in hand.

I think most of us have reasons for the things we trust. Pause for a moment and consider this: who or what do you trust?

Maybe it’s people who remain consistent through the years.
Maybe it’s stories that can withstand honest questions.
Maybe it’s the voices that ring with sincerity instead of deception.

Trust is rarely built in an instant. It grows slowly, over time, as something proves itself dependable, truthful, and reliable again and again.

The same is true spiritually.

You see, faith is not the absence of questions, nor is it pretending to have every answer. I have heard it said that "faith begins with enough truth and evidence to keep searching." Luke wrote his Gospel for people who were uncertain, inviting them to examine the story for themselves. Luke wanted his readers to understand that the Jesus story was not a legend, but a faith rooted in the testimony of those who personally saw, heard, and encountered Jesus. We hear this in the opening lines of the Gospel.

Maybe you carry questions about faith. Perhaps there are parts of the Bible that still seem difficult, confusing, or unfamiliar. Luke reminds us that questions are not the opposite of faith, they can actually become part of  what leads to a deeper trust.

God is not threatened by sincere searching.

Reflect

What makes something feel trustworthy to you?

How might those same qualities shape the way you approach faith?

Real People, Real Struggle

Real People, Real Struggles

 May 12, 2026

Psalm 13

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

In the Bible, we find people who are exhausted, afraid, confused, angry, and heartbroken. We find prayers filled with questions. We find moments where people wonder where God is and why life feels so difficult, unfair and heavy.

Psalm 13, the reading above, is one "honest" prayer. David cries out, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” Take notice that He doesn’t hide his frustration or pretend everything is fine. He brings his pain directly to God.

Honesty is important. The Bible acknowledges human struggle and gives it a voice. Faith is not the absence of doubt, but the choice to bring genuine thoughts and emotions to God, even when clear answers are not at hand.

What a discovery we make, when through the presence of prayers like Psalm 13, we learn that God welcomes such honesty. God is not intimidated by such truthfulness, God invites it. 

A Question 

Does it surprise you that the Bible includes complaints, doubts, and raw prayers like Psalm 13?

More Than a BOOK

More Than a BOOK

 May 11, 2026

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

Can the Bible be Trusted?

2 Timothy 3:16

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, 

rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

 

When people mention “the Bible,” it might seem like they’re talking about a single book written at one point in time by one author. In reality, the Bible is more like a library, filled with poetry, history, letters, prophecy, wisdom, biographies, songs, and personal stories, all written over centuries by many different people.

The Bible's diversity can make it hard to understand at first. Some passages are beautiful and comforting. Other parts of the Bible can be confusing, emotionally triggering, or difficult to comprehend. Yet even with all its variety of writers, genres and historical periods and social settings, the Bible tells one unfolding story: humanity's search for God, the outcome of this search is the discovery that in reality God, the Creator God, is continually searching and reaching toward humanity.

The truthfulness of the Bible is one reason many people trust the Bible. For within its pages, the Bible doesn’t hide human weakness. Even if this week you were to read the very first book in the Bible's library, Genesis, you will find its pages are filled with doubters, failures, broken families, fearful leaders, and ordinary people trying to follow God imperfectly. One of the things that stands out in reading the Bible is that it is so spiritually honest. It doesn’t pretend life is simple.

And maybe that’s part of why it still connects with people today.

The Bible is not just a collection of rules, (although some treat it as though it is), the bible is not just a collection of  inspirational sayings either. Christians see it as a living story where God continues to speak, teach, challenge, comfort, and invite people into a relationship with Him.

I want to conclude today by saying, you do not have to grasp every detail of the Bible right away to start reading and exploring its story. Like any library, understanding comes little by little, and curiosity is where the journey begins. So, let's be curious!!

Reflection

What part of the Bible feels most unfamiliar, confusing, or intimidating to you right now?

 

A God Who Comes Close

 May 8, 2026

John 1:14

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

Many people begin their spiritual journey not with certainty, but with curiosity. This week we have explored the different ways people first sense God’s presence, through longing, beauty, conscience, and personal experience. We hit on the following key points:

Our desire for “more” points toward the God who made us.

Many people first sense God through the beauty and design of the world around them.

Our inner sense of right and wrong hints at a God who cares about justice and goodness.

God often meets people through personal experiences that awaken curiosity.

We conclude our week with A God Who Comes Close.

The Bible claims something astonishing: God didn’t stay distant, He stepped into our world in Jesus. John 1:14 says the Word “became flesh.” The message of today’s verse says, if God is real, then God is not far away; God is near, knowable, and willing to be found, closer than we even think.

Faith isn’t about avoiding reality or striving harder to reach God, but about noticing that God is already here with us. Christianity is about a God who lives among us, not at a distance.

The belief that God came down to us reminds us that the Creator entered into ordinary life, into human weakness, suffering, relationships, grief, exhaustion, joy, and struggle.

Jesus knew that experience:
To feel grief.
To experience rejection.
To grow tired.
To sit at tables with ordinary people.
To laugh with friends.
To weep at loss.

And maybe that’s what people still find compelling about Jesus, even when they aren’t sure what they believe. There’s something deeply human about Him. The way He notices people.
The way He listens. The way He treats people with dignity.
The way He makes room for questions and failures and second chances.

John says God “made His dwelling among us.” Among us!!  

Which means the heart of Christianity is the story of a God who comes near.

Let's Pray

God,

You’re not afraid of our questions.
You’re not put off by our doubts.
Meet us in what we don’t understand.
And help us see You more clearly—
not just in answers,
but in Jesus.
Amen.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

 May 7, 2026

We continue our "Is God for REAL" journey today. 

Acts 17:27

“He is not far from any one of us.”

Most people expect encounters with God to be dramatic, a booming voice, a life-changing moment, a perfectly clear sign like handwriting on a wall or in the sky.

But the reality is that many stories of faith, of encounter with God, have much smaller beginnings.

A conversation they almost avoided.
An invitation they nearly ignored.
A moment of peace in a trying season of life.

In Acts 17, Paul speaks to people full of questions and searching, and he tells them something remarkable:

“He (GOD) is not far from any one of us.”

In other words, God is not distant from seekers, doubters, or those still figuring things out. So often, in the Bible and in life as we know it, God often moves toward people long before they fully recognize it.

I would imagine that in your life, when you look back and remember events, you can point to moments that suddenly seem meaningful. Maybe an unexpected change in direction, or meeting the right person at the right timewho had the right words, hearing a song, a verse, or holding a conversation with someone that landed deeper than you would have ever have expected.

Don't we sometimes begin to wonder:

What if God has been nearer than I realized?

In my experience listening to the stories of people, I find that many journeys of faith do not begin with certainty. They begin with curiosity. With a sudden stop, and paying attention to things around them. By asking a question, like  “What if this isn’t random?”

Maybe God does speak at times through dramatic signs, but more often than not, God communicates his presence through quiet invitations: to forgive, to hope, to reach out, to take one small step toward Him.

Acts 17 reminds us that God is not far away from any of us, seekers, doubters, who are trying to make sense of our place in this world.

Something to Think About

Have you ever experienced a moment, conversation, or quiet “nudge” that later felt more meaningful than you first realized?

THE VOICE OF CONSCIENCE

 May 6, 2026

The devotions over the next few days are based on a rough outline of thoughts for a Sermon series that I have never completed or attempted to preach. It's based on thoughts I have had or questions I have been asked. My prayer is that these reflections will speak to you, and bring some challenge and clarity to your spiritual journey.

Romans 2:14–15

"They show that the requirements of the law

are written on their hearts,

their consciences also bearing witness…”

This week we have been attempting to address the question “Is God Real?” In  Acts 17:22–28 the apostle Paul in Athens spoke saying to his listeners God is Real, closer than you think. God is not hiding, He leaves fingerprints everywhere for those willing to look.

Inside every person is a quiet voice that nudges, warns, and sometimes demands to be heard. We call it the conscience. It’s that inner sense we all have that tells us some things in life are good and worth chasing, while other choices are wrong and would be best avoided. I am sure you know what I'm talking about. It’s that feeling that rises inside us when we’ve hurt someone, the urge we feel to speak up, apologize, forgive, or show kindness.

Here is what I find rather fascinating, that this inner moral awareness isn’t limited to one culture, religion, or time period. Across the world, people who have never met, still share a basic sense of right and wrong. While the specifics may vary, there is something that stands out as universal about this.

So, the question we might want to ask is, if this push or pull toward right and wrong is so wide ranging, Where does that come from?

In the New Testament in Romans 2 it says something profound: God has written His law—not on tablets, not on scrolls, not on monuments—but on the human heart. In other words, the suggestion fromthe book of Roamns is that our moral compass is not an "accident"of evolution or a product of "social conditioning". It is a gift. A signature. A whisper from the One who made us.

Consider what I am suggestion in ths way:

Why do we instinctively value honesty?
Why do we feel guilty when we betray trust?
Why do we admire courage and selflessness?
Why do we draw back or recoil at cruelty or injustice?

I believe, these reactions result from something deeper than our personal preferences, they originate from an inner sense that we are made for goodness. Think of it, even when we fall short of embodying goodness, we still recognize that in some way or other we missed the mark, and feel we can do better.

I have heard it said, 

"that our conscience is like a spiritual nerve ending. When we move toward what is good, it resonates. When we move away from it, it aches. And that ache is not meant to shame us, it’s meant to guide us."

I know someone may be thinking, "wait a moment, the voice of conscience can be shaped, dulled, ignored, or distorted." Yes, it is not perfect. But I wonder, if its very existence points to something beyond ourselves. Might it hint that goodness, honesty and intregrity are not some human invention but rather a reflection of a God who cares about justice, compassion, truth, and love.

The beautiful part: the same God who "wrote His law on our hearts" also offers grace when we fall short of goodness. The way I see it is that conscience reveals our need. Grace reveals God’s heart.

Do you suppose it is possible when we feel that inner tug, when something inside of us says, this matters… this is right… this is wrong… this is who you were meant to be, that we are dealing with something or someone far beyond psychological study and thought?  What if all this activity we call conscience, might in reality be the gentle voice of the One who formed you, wrote his law on your hearts, and is calling you and me toward the life we  were created to live.

Something to Think About

Where do you think our sense of right and wrong comes from, and how have you experienced that inner voice in your own life?

Let's Pray

God,
You’re not afraid of our questions.
You’re not put off by our doubts.
Meet us in what we don’t understand.
And help us see You more clearly—
not just in answers,
but in Jesus.
Amen.

I Wonder as I Wonder ....

May 5, 2026

The devotions over the next few days are based on a rough outline of thoughts for a Sermon series that I have never completed or attempted to preach. It's based on thoughts I have had or questions I have been asked. My prayer is that these reflections will speak to you, and bring some challenge and clarity to your spiritual journey.

Psalm 19:1

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

Have you ever had one of those moments where something in nature just… stops you?

Like a sunset that doesn’t even look real.
Or a night sky so full of stars it feels bigger than you know how to process.
The sound of waves crashing into the shoreline.
The stillness of a quiet morning with only the happy sound of a birdsong.
Even something small, like the detail in a leaf or the way a bird just takes off into the air.

The amazing miracle of placing some seeds, or bulbs into the ground and watching life unfold before you very eyes.

There is something about those moments. 
You don’t just see them… you feel them.
In that moment, that act of "seeing", perhaps it's only for a second, but have you noticed how everything slows down at that experience?

Even people who aren’t sure what they believe about God will sometimes say things like,
“That felt… meaningful.”
Or, “I don’t know why, but that moment stayed with me.”

It’s like something deep within us recognizes the beauty and life around us, yet we are left without the words, or a way to fully explain the moment. 

Above, that line from Psalm 19 says that creation is actually speaking. Not with words. Not in a way you can measure or prove. But in a quieter way. As a friend put it to me, it is "more like a nudge than a shout."

And maybe that’s why moments like that matter. Because beauty has a way of waking us up a little. The order or the world around us that is clearly noticable has a way of steadying us. And those moments of wonder, open something deep within us. Perhaps these experiences are not trying to make us believe anything, but just sparking our curiosity.

I sometimes ask in wonder: 
Why does beauty exist at all? Why do things like a sunset or sunrise, or birdsong, or autumn colors move us so deeply? And why does the world feel both vast and yet strangely near?

You know some people I have known have come to faith in God or the Creator through study or answering deep searching questions.

But a lot of people? A lot of people they start with wonder.
With a sense that maybe, there’s more going on than we can see.
That maybe the world isn’t just random.
That maybe what we’re feeling in those moments is an invitation.

Not pressure. Not certainty. Just… an invitation to pay attention and take notice.

If you have ever stood outside and felt small in a good way… say on a beach at midnight looking up into the stars above ....
or found peace near the waters edge …
or felt something shift or change in you during a quiet moment in nature… watching a hummingbird or the beauty and activity of the Monarch, maybe that wasn’t just a passing feeling.
Maybe it was a hint. That there’s more present around us than we usually notice.

What if that beauty that impacts us so deeply might not be accidental. That we all might be part of something bigger than we understand.

Psalm 19 says the heavens are declaring something.

The only question is: Are we slowing down enough to notice?

Something to Think About

When was the last time something in nature made you pause, stopped you in your tracks, and can you recall what it stirred in you?

Let's Pray

God,
You’re not afraid of our questions.
You’re not put off by our doubts.
Meet us in what we don’t understand.
And help us see You more clearly—
not just in answers,
but in Jesus.
Amen.

THE LONGING FOR “MORE”

May 4, 2026

The devotions over the next few days are based on a rough outline of thoughts for a Sermon series that I have never completed or attempted to preach. It's based on thoughts I have had or questions I have been asked. My prayer is that these reflections will speak to you, and bring some challenge and clarity to your spiritual journey.

 Ecclesiastes 3:11

“God has set eternity in the human heart…”  

 

Have you noticed that there seems to be a restlessness woven into the human experience, an ache that shows up in our quiet moments. Perhaps you have feelt it after the excitement of a big accomplishment wears off. Maybe, you have felt the ache in the middle of a busy week when everything looks fine on the outside but something inside of you whispers, Is this all there is? This ache, or longing, is felt when life slows down just long enough for our soul to speak.

All over the world, across every culture and generation, people talk about the same inner pull. We go after success, relationships, experiences, comfort, or distractions, hoping each new thing will finally ease the ache. It always comes back, like we’re chasing something we can sense but can’t quite put into words.

I believe, Ecclesiastes gives language to this experience: God has placed eternity in the human heart.  What our verse today is saying is that the longing you and I feel isn’t a sign that something is wrong with us, it’s a sign that something is right. We were made with a capacity for meaning that nothing temporary can fill.

I read recently that "This longing is not a flaw to fix. It’s a compass pointing home."

And this hunger is a sign of life.

If you feel that longing, if you’ve ever sensed that there must be more to life than what you can see or achieve, you are in good company. People across history have felt the same pull, ache, or longing. According to our Bible verse above, that longing is not an accident. It’s an invitation. Not an invitation to religion or pressure or performance. But an invitation to relationship.

A God who knows you.  A God who sees you. A God who planted eternity in your heart so that you would search for Him, and discover God has been searching and reaching for you.

The longing for “more” is a doorway to walk through.

Something to Think About

Where in your life do you sense a desire for something deeper, something more than what you’ve been settling for?

Let's Pray

God,
You’re not afraid of our questions.
You’re not put off by our doubts.
Meet us in what we don’t understand.
And help us see You more clearly—
not just in answers,
but in Jesus.
Amen.

SOUNDTRACK of the NEW CREATION

May 1, 2026

Psalm 150:6

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

We wrap up our week of “PRAISE” by revisiting Psalm 150, a verse that truly captures the Bible’s call to praise from start to finish. Praise flows like a constant thread through the whole biblical story, from the songs sung on the far side of the Red Sea to the vibrant worship around the throne in Revelation. God’s people have always responded to His presence with praise, the heartfelt language of a life awakened to Him.

We have noted this week that throughout the scriptures, in particular the Psalms, praise begins with naming God’s character: “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” When we praise with words like these we are telling the truth about our Creator God. Praise re‑anchors us in reality. In a world that constantly tries to shrink God down to our circumstances, praise expands our vision again. It reminds us that God is still sovereign, still faithful, still good.

Israel praised God after crossing the Red Sea. Mary praised Him when she learned she would carry the Messiah. The early church praised God even from prison cells. This week we said that praise is memory work, drawing God’s past faithfulness into the present moment.

In the Book of Acts in chapter 16 when Paul and Silas sang in the dark of a prison cell, their chains didn’t fall off because their voices were magical. Their praise, their "singing Psalms as Hymns to God" declared a deeper truth than the walls around them.

Praise trains our hearts to trust.

Praise shifts our attention from fear to faith.

Praise opens our hands so God can fill them again.

When we flip to the Bible's last book, Revelation gives us a beautiful glimpse of the future: every tribe, every language, every nation gathered around the Lamb. Praise is the "soundtrack" of God’s new creation.

When we praise now, we join the worship that never ends. We declare that the brokenness of this world will not have the final word.

Reflect

Where has God shown His faithfulness in your life this week?

What truth about God do you need to speak out loud again?

What fear or burden needs to be surrendered through praise?

Let's Pray

Lord, You are worthy of all praise. Lift our eyes to see Your goodness, steady our hearts to trust Your promises, and tune our voices to the song of heaven. Let our praise today shape our lives tomorrow. Amen.