In step

God Is at Work in Your Life, Even When You Can’t See It​

Recently I shared Isaiah 43:19 with our Eternal Perspective Ministries staff. I was so moved by that verse that I looked it up in every translation, via Bible Gateway. Keep in mind that each of these nine versions I chose was translated by a team of Hebrew scholars who had reasons for rendering it as they did, and each has a just little different nuance or two that I loved hearing. Maybe one or more of them in particular will strike you:

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (NIV)

Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. (CSB)

Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness. (CEB)

I am doing something new; it’s springing up — can’t you see it? I am making a road in the desert, rivers in the wastelands. (CJB)

I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands. (CEV)

Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there. (GNT)

Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it? I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land. (NCV)

Look, I am about to do something new. Now it begins to happen! Do you not recognize it? Yes, I will make a road in the wilderness and paths in the wastelands. (NET)

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (NLT)

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Sometimes we need the reminder that God can do what is humanly impossible, and that He knows what is eternally best in ways we cannot. God can see ultimate purposes and plans that we can’t see. Consider what Isaiah 46:9–11 says: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please…. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.”

God is “the LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle!” (Psalm 24:8). The rhetorical question “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” implies a “no” answer (see Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:27).

Gabriel says to Mary, “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Jesus says, “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

God is the “Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 1:8). He is “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20, ESV). John the Baptist says, “God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham” (Matthew 3:9, ESV).

May you experience the reality of Isaiah 43:19 in your life. I am asking God to do this for me also!

Transforming the Wilderness by Choosing Loud and Bold Praise​

Throughout Lent I have been focused on Psalms and Ecclesiastes in my devotions. Lent is a season for remembering wilderness moments—like the one in which Jesus spent 40 days faithfully in the desert at the beginning of his ministry, and like the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness. These moments are often a season of lament. Psalms and Ecclesiastes are a good place to focus on lament. Many of us find ourselves in wilderness moments far more often than we encounter mountaintop or burning bush experiences.


For followers of Jesus, life is about learning how to live joyfully even in these challenging moments. That’s why Lent holds such power as a practice for the church. Recently, I have found life has been difficult politically, socially, physically (health wise) and even weather-wise. Many of you may feel this as well.

• What if the wilderness, instead of being a place of isolation, could become a holy space where God’s presence meets us most intimately?
• In the midst of our own struggles, how might choosing to praise—loudly, actively, and with hands raised—transform your wilderness into a place of refuge?

I think Psalm 63 gives us a significant practice, or at least highlights David’s way, of transforming the wilderness by choosing loud and bold praise.

Psalm 63: A Lament for the Wilderness Moment​

This morning, I was reflecting on Psalm 63.

In Psalm 63, David says “My lips will praise you” (Psalm 63:3, GW). The word he uses there for praise is שָׁבַח (shabach). The shape represents and reminds us of fire – and that is included in it’s Hebrew meaning (but not all of it’s meaning). It carries connection to God’s presence (think Shalom and Shaddai). The second letter in praise from David is בַ (Bet), and it looks like a lean-to-hut because that is what it means, it represents a home, household, a dwelling. The last letter ח (Chet) implies a boundaried area that is protected and separate.


I love the letter שָׁ. As one author points out, “There are those who see the shape of this letter to be a type of flame that rises up, which represents the fire of the sacrifices, and the constant fire that was in Holy Temple.” The letter is rich with imagery.

I suspect David’s choice to use שָׁבַח (shabach) is with great intention here. In the wilderness of Judah, David chooses שָׁבַח (shabach) rather than הלל (halal), תְּהִלָּה (tehillah), יָדָה (yadah), or ר (zamar).

In this Psalm, David identifies he is in the wilderness and fleeing, and already “the King” (Psalm 63:11, GW). So, here he is probably on the run during Absalom’s rebellion. David, in the middle of this moment, decides to have a Tabernacle experience. David confesses “at dawn I search for you,” (NIV and ESV like earnestly over dawn, KJV, GW, and I don’t) – and that his soul and body (includes all fleshy parts in the Hebrew) are in longing for Elohim (אֱלֹהִים).

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch say, “it is difficult is it to adopt this choice spiritual love-song as one’s own prayer!” I cannot agree more. Grumbling is often easier in the wilderness than bold praise.

Wilderness Moments Are For Remembering​

David recalls what it was like to see the place of God’s power and glory – the holy place (some translations miss the past-tense here, and I am no Hebrew expert). However, the New English Translation (NET) captures it well, “in the sanctuary, I have seen you” – and your “power and splendor” (Psalm 63:2, NET). David is in a wilderness moment, remembering when God felt close.


It is because of those experiences, a place where David is being put through the trials of the wilderness, without home, or the safety of his palace boundaries, that he will still praise God. Not just praise, he will praise loudly, actively, and boldly. This is the meaning of the שָׁבַח (shabach) on David’s lips.

In that space of the wilderness, David chooses to praise as if he is in the tabernacle – because he can remember the beauty and otherworldly experience there. This holy place was a space for ongoing worship and prayer, with singers and musicians pouring out their worship and intercession day and night with music and prayer.

The Wilderness is for Transformative Worship​

Psalm 63 goes on to outline how the wilderness becomes that holy place where David will lift up LOUD praise (שָׁבַח, shabach). In this Psalm, David models what it means to lifts his hands, praise God, remember God, confesses God’s character, pursues God, and experiences God’s protection. Some scholars point out that David is saying because even in the wilderness he is “experiencing God’s mercy, which exceeds all the blessings of life, his lips will be opened for his praise” (Jamieson, Fausset, & Brown, 1997, p. 366)

In his act of praise (שָׁבַח, shabach), David’s praise confesses and experiences God’s as an all consuming presence (ש), a sense of belonging and being at home (ב), and the boundaries of God’s protection (ח).


Let me point out one more connection. David uses praise (שָׁבַח, shabach), but also look at the word שַׁבָּת (Shabbat).

The dagesh in the Shabbat is there to change the sound. However, I also love that it is an encompassed within the ב (Bet, house). In the wilderness, we praise loudly, and in the season of Shabbat, we rest and listen (how Shabbat is practiced). Shabbat ends with ת (Tav), reminding us that we live within a covenant, and praise ends with ח (Chet), reminding us in the wilderness all of God’s creation is the boundary of God, there is no where you can go.

I am not claiming to be a scholar, there are plenty perhaps in our community and my Facebook post that may point out more, or downplay my thoughts – I am merely a practical and applying thinker.

Wilderness Moments Can Be Recalibrated​

We are in Lent, and Lent is a time to reflect on wilderness moments. The wilderness moments we are in, can be recalibrated to have meaning – through praise. That is the hope of Psalm 63.

In the wilderness, David chooses loud praise, active searching, and refreshment in God alone. David chooses to praise God, though he is not in the holy place, the home, or the safety of his Kingdom’s boundaries. Wilderness moments always feel isolating from God’s presence, power and from others – these moments feel like we exist without a place to belong – and we feel pushed beyond the safety zone. These dark night of the soul moments are familiar to many of us.


However, praise (as outlined in Psalm 63), reminds us that the wilderness can also become a holy place. The power to transform our wilderness into a holy place, is found in loud, hand raising, reflective, and joyful song. It begins by remembering where we have seen God’s power and glory in the past (vs 2). In praise, we find home, because all of creation is God’s boundary, even when we are in the “depths of the earth” (Verse 9).

Today, chose to say, “my lips will שָׁבַח you.”​

Today, we can chose to say, “my lips will שָׁבַח you.”

Matthew Henry remarks the posture of our lips by saying, “God’s loving-kindness is our spiritual life, and that is better than temporal life. We must praise God with joyful lips; we must address ourselves to the duties of religion with cheerfulness, and speak forth the praises of God from a principle of holy joy. Praising lips must be joyful lips. David was in continual danger; care and fear held his eyes waking, and gave him wearisome nights; but he comforted himself with thoughts of God.” I love the line, we must address ourselves…with cheerfulness, and speak forth the praises of God” (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary). We choose to do this, even under continual danger and fear.


Jesus knew wilderness moments deeply, even to the point of being overwhelmed by them. He, too, experienced difficult roads, rocky terrain, and the weeds that choke out life in these moments. Yet, he knew God’s presence, home, and protection in those moments. The praise that David calls us to doesn’t ignore the hardship of the wilderness; rather, it accepts them (but not to the point of defining him), and it chooses to acknowledge that God comes to be with us in those struggles, having endured them for us, like us, and with us. Jesus demonstrates the same.

Animal Encounters Offer a Foretaste of Life on the New Earth​

Jim Abernethy, a well-known diver and underwater photographer, works primarily with sharks. Years ago in the Bahamas, Jim encountered a large tiger shark he named Emma. Unlike most tiger sharks, Emma was friendly and curious, and as their relationship developed, Jim saw her respond to touch and learned she loved to be petted on the head. She kept coming back to him for a repeat performance.

Emma continued to seek Jim out in his frequent dives and a deep bond developed between them. Emma regularly approached him and welcomed his touch, something rare with wild sharks. Abernethy says there is something hard to describe about how deeply moving his friendship with Emma has become. They know and trust each other and delight in each other’s company. Jim says, “She’s like a big labrador retriever who wants love and affection constantly… These are, without question, sentient creatures which thrive on affection, which they never had before.”

When COVID-19 hit in 2020, global travel restrictions kept Abernethy from visiting Emma for an extended period, leaving him uninformed of her welfare.


When travel was once again possible, Abernethy returned to the Bahamas. After knowing Emma for twenty years, he was eager to see her but unsure if she would remember him after the year-long absence. Remarkably, as he descended into familiar waters, Emma approached him right away. Their reunion was emotional, with Abernethy describing it as a moment of pure joy and relief. They picked up right where they left off. Jim describes Emma as wonderful, warmhearted, and affectionate. While all animals can love others of their own kind, and even different species, the unique affection of humans with animals is something no other animal can give them. It’s as if God made humans to govern and care for animals, and to have a completely inimitable relationship with them.

Jim says of Emma, “She leaves me speechless. I don’t really know that there are words to describe what it is like to have a friendship with a wild animal like this. But it’s extreme joy, heartwarming, almost tearful.”

Watch this video and see firsthand their relationship and how much Emma appears to enjoy Jim’s company:




There are over 500 species of sharks in the world, with more being discovered all the time. Many of those are rarely aggressive with humans. I’ve been around reef sharks with no aggression on their part, including five at once. However, tiger sharks are among the most dangerous, with more attacks and kills of humans than any other sharks except great whites—they are the water equivalents of the present earth’s lions, wolves, and bears. My point is, don’t try to do what Jim Abernethy does. If you ever see a tiger shark on this side of the New Earth, do not put your hand out and try to pet him! Be patient—wait until the New Earth!

But even now, in an often violent world, to see such an unlikely bond like Emma’s and Jim’s gives just a little taste of that coming world we see in Isaiah. Like countless other unlikely relationships of people with animals and animals with each other, it is a beautiful foreshadowing of what the Bible promises us:

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6-9)

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Emotional States: How to Identify and Deal With Them Effectively in a Marriage​

Think about it: when you’re in a good mood, you might cut your partner some slack. It’s easy to show generosity when they make a mistake, even granting them forgiveness more readily. Let’s face it, our moods greatly affect our communication. If you’re in a bad mood, you’re more likely to perceive what our partner says negatively. This point is illustrated by Rachel’s bad day and her negative interaction with Tom when she comes home feeling hungry and aggravated.




Rachel, age 37, (in a frustrated tone): “You have no idea how stressful my day was since you work at home.”

Tom, age 38, (in an icy tone of voice): “Are you saying I never have a bad day?”

Rachel (feeling defensive): “I’m just annoyed since I didn’t even get to eat lunch today.”

Tom (rolling his eyes): “Would you prefer I go back to working in person to even the score?”

Rachel (feeling angry): “I never said I’m not glad you are home. I know you do more housework than I do and pick up the kids from after school activities.”

In The Dance of Connection, psychologist Dr. Harriet Learner explains that when the emotional climate of a relationship is spontaneous and relaxed, there is a lot we can let go. In the above example, Rachel comes home from a stressful day at her office and is just looking for validation from Tom. It’s obvious she feels frustrated as he throws her car keys on the counter and sighs. Tom is aware of her frustration and but gets defensive rather that listening to her, so he says things that upset her even more.

In the following scenario, Rachel comes home after a tough day and Tom acknowledges it and offers validation and support instead of getting defensive.


Rachel (in frustrated tone): “My work was overwhelming today since Sue called in sick. I didn’t even get a lunch break!”

Tom (in a calm, loving tone): “I’m so sorry you had to deal with such a long day with no lunch. What a crazy day, you must be famished.”

Rachel (giving Tom eye contact): “Exactly! Do you think we can order take out so we don’t have to bother with dinner preparation?”

Tom (in a soft, loving tone): “My week has been busy too so why don’t we get take-out Chinese or pizza. What do you prefer tonight? I’m happy to run out and get it for us.”

Without being explicit, Rachel and Tom acknowledged that Rachel’s bad mood was a filter. When Tom responded with empathy and understanding, it diffused her bad mood. While being in a bad mood does not excuse awful behavior, it’s a reason why couples often get in to arguments about trivial matters and tend to dig their heels in – leading to escalading disagreements and a tense home environment.

Many emotional filters can color your interpretation of what your partner says – and your response to them. The next time your partner tells you that they had a frustrating day, put your phone, laptop, iPad, or worksheet aside and tune into the message they are sending. Then validate their feelings and show empathy by giving them reassurance, comfort, and offering to ease their burden. This will go along way to improve their mood and strengthen your positive connection.

Millions Resort to Filthy Ponds for Drinking Water​

WILLS POINT, TX — Millions across Africa and Asia brace for the annual drought season that could result in catastrophic loss of life in coming months as millions turn to filthy, disease-ridden ponds as a last resort to find drinking water.A heartfelt call to arms comes from the global mission agency GFA World (www.gfa.org) as World Water Day on March 22 spotlights the pervasive water crisis.


GFA World warns before World Water Day millions drink dirty ponds.
“About 2.2 billion people have no access to safe drinking water, and 829,000 of them will die this year from waterborne diseases, most of which could be prevented,” said Bishop Daniel Timotheos Yohannan, the organization’s president. “This is something we should all care about.”

Since 2007, the Texas-based organization has drilled 40,000 freshwater wells — known as “Jesus Wells” — and has supplied some 39 million people with safe drinking water in some of the world’s poorest and thirstiest regions.


They’re called “Jesus Wells” because they’re inscribed with Christ’s words recorded in John’s Gospel: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.” The wells are much-frequented community gathering spots — like a town square — giving local Christians opportunities to “share God’s love,” Bishop Daniel said.

This year, GFA World aims to drill thousands more in drought-prone places across Africa and Asia. Each well reliably supplies clean drinking water to hundreds of people for 20 years or more, even during severe drought, the organization said.

Teams typically drill 600 feet to reach fresh water — and the end-result transforms local communities, saving countless lives at risk of cholera, typhoid and other often-fatal waterborne diseases.

In Vimal’s village in Asia, women had to line up for two hours every day to fill their water jugs from the nearest safe water source, with trips to the well adding up to ten miles a day. When the water dried up during periods of drought, fights broke out over water at the muddy village pond, their only other option.

All that changed when the mission organization partnered with a local pastor and his congregation to drill a new well, maintained by the local church.


“The women don’t have to spend half their days hauling water,” Bishop Daniel added, “the children no longer miss school searching for water, people don’t get sick from drinking polluted water, and the attitude of the villagers toward Christians has changed.”

For more about GFA World’s water projects in Africa and Asia, go to www.gfa.org/water/jesus-wells.

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About GFA World (formerly Gospel for Asia)​

GFA World is a leading faith-based global mission agency, helping thousands of national missionaries bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across the world, especially in Africa and Asia, and sharing the love of God. In a typical year, this includes thousands of community development projects that benefit downtrodden families and their children, free medical camps conducted in hundreds of villages and remote communities, and helping more than 150,000 families break the cycle of poverty through income-generating gifts. More than 40,000 fresh water wells have been drilled since 2007, hundreds of thousands of women are now empowered through literacy training, and Christ-motivated ministry takes place every day throughout 18 nations. GFA World has launched programs in Africa, starting with compassion projects in Rwanda. For all the latest news, visit the Press Room at https://gfanews.org/news.

From Gettysburg to Galatia: The Weight of Powerful Endings​

Boasting in the Cross: Paul’s Final Words to the Galatians


Some of the most powerful words in history are not long-winded speeches, but short, unforgettable statements that leave a lasting impact. Take, for example, Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. After a renowned orator gave an eloquent two-hour speech, Lincoln took the stage and delivered just 272 words. Yet, his brief address became one of the most quoted speeches in American history. His final line still echoes today: that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

The book of Galatians ends in a similar fashion. While Paul often closes his letters with warm greetings and personal remarks, Galatians concludes with a blunt, powerful statement. He has spent six chapters passionately defending the gospel against false teachings. Now, in just a few lines, he issues a firm warning and a final declaration of faith.

Paul’s Final Words: A Stern Warning​

Paul writes in Galatians 6:17, “From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” This is not a passive or dismissive statement. He is not simply saying, “Don’t bother me.” Instead, he is issuing a final warning to those who challenge the true gospel. After six chapters of correction and defense, Paul is saying: Enough. The matter is settled.


His warning is reminiscent of a scene from the classic 90s action movie Air Force One. In the film, Harrison Ford’s character, the President of the United States, fights off terrorists who hijacked his plane. In the final confrontation, he defeats the last enemy and delivers the iconic line: “Get off my plane.” It’s a statement of finality—there is no more discussion, no more threats. The battle is won.

That is what Paul is saying here. The false teachers—known as the Judaizers—have argued that salvation comes not by faith alone but through works, particularly circumcision. Paul has dismantled their argument, proving that justification is by grace through faith in Christ alone. Now, he puts his foot down: The debate is over. The gospel is settled. Don’t trouble me again.

The Marks of Jesus: A Seal of Authenticity​

Paul continues, “For I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” The word “marks” here is the Greek stigmata, which refers to branding—often used to mark ownership of slaves or livestock. Paul is saying that his scars from persecution are proof of his loyalty to Christ. Unlike the false teachers who feared suffering, Paul had been beaten, imprisoned, and stoned for the gospel. His wounds were physical reminders that he belonged to Jesus.


In contrast, the Judaizers wanted others to be circumcised as a sign of their religious devotion. But Paul points to his suffering as the true mark of faithfulness. His scars are the evidence that he is not a people-pleaser, but a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10).

The Power of Suffering as a Witness​

History is full of stories where Christian suffering served as a powerful testimony. One such story comes from Soviet Russia. In the 1970s, a man named Sergei Kourdakov led brutal raids against underground Christian communities. He was dedicated to persecuting believers until he encountered a young Christian woman named Natasha.

On one raid, Sergei and his men found Natasha and beat her mercilessly, throwing her against a wall. Just days later, during another raid, they were shocked to find her worshipping again. Furious, they attacked her even more violently. Sergei was certain this time she would never return. But months later, they found her once again.

At this point, one of Sergei’s own men stopped the violence, declaring, “She has something we don’t have. Nobody touches her.” This moment shook Sergei. He realized Natasha had a faith that could not be destroyed. Eventually, he became curious about Christianity, leading him to Christ. He later wrote an autobiography, The Persecutor, hoping Natasha would read it and know that he had been transformed.


Like Paul, Natasha bore the marks of Jesus. Her suffering became a testimony that led to the salvation of a former persecutor.

Defending the Gospel at All Costs​

Paul’s words to the Galatians are a call to action for believers today. The gospel is a treasure worth defending. False teachers continue to distort the truth, just as they did in Paul’s time. We must be vigilant in guarding the gospel and bold in proclaiming it.

In 2 Timothy 1:13-14, Paul exhorts Timothy to “follow the pattern of sound words that you have heard from me… Guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” This charge applies to all Christians. The gospel is our most valuable treasure—it is better that the sun be quenched than the gospel be lost.

Paul’s Final Blessing​

Despite his strong tone, Paul ends his letter with grace: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.” (Galatians 6:18) After all the correction, warning, and rebuke, Paul still calls them brothers. He reminds them that grace is at the heart of the gospel. Even when believers stumble, grace restores.

Conclusion: Boasting Only in the Cross​

Paul’s final message to the Galatians is clear: Defend the gospel. Treasure it. Suffer for it if necessary. But never waver from the truth that salvation is through Christ alone. As Charles Spurgeon once said:


“Whatever comes of it, still glory in Christ. Whether you are honored or dishonored, in good report or evil report, whether God multiplies your substance and makes you rich or diminishes it and makes you poor, you will still glory in the cross.”

May we, like Paul, stand firm in the faith and boast only in the cross of Christ.

The Fight for Freedom and Harriet Tubman​

Some people live such bold, audacious lives that their stories still echo through history, calling us to something greater. Harriet Tubman was one of those people. Born into slavery, she became one of the most daring conductors of the Underground Railroad, leading countless people to freedom. But her life was about more than just escape—it was about purpose, conviction, and an unshakable trust in God.




Harriet Tubman Day is a national holiday honored in March, and her legacy perfectly embodies this month’s Family Disciple Me “March Mission Madness” theme: living crazy amazing lives for Jesus. Harriet lived in complete obedience to God’s calling, despising the danger, pursuing freedom, and unwilling to let fear keep her from the mission God had given her. (You can listen to The Family Disciple Me Podcast episode about Harriet HERE.) Harriet’s story is a challenge to us all: Are we willing to trust God that radically? Are we living with boldness, purpose, and faith?

A Life of Courage​

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery around 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland. She endured brutal conditions, cruel treatment, and the constant threat of being sold away from her family. But, even as a child, she demonstrated extraordinary courage.

At the age of 12, while trying to defend another enslaved person, she suffered a near-fatal head injury when she was struck by an iron weight. That horrific injury left her with lifelong headaches and sudden sleeping spells, but it also gave her something else—a profound sense of God’s voice guiding her. She often spoke of experiencing vivid dreams and visions, which she believed were messages from the Lord.

It was that faith that sustained her when, in 1849, she made her own daring escape to freedom. Traveling alone by night, with only the North Star as her guide, she reached Pennsylvania—a free state. Amazingly, Harriet had found her way from slavery to freedom.

A Life of Seeking Freedom for Others​

Now, most people would have settled into their newfound freedom and counted themselves blessed. Harriet did the opposite. She risked her life over and over again to return to the South and rescue others. She once said, “I had reasoned this out in my mind: there was one of two things I had a right to—liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.”



There was no hesitation in her obedience. No second-guessing. No waiting for the right circumstances. Harriet walked in the kind of radical faith that didn’t just move mountains—it moved people to freedom.

Harriet Tubman’s Mission Madness ​

Harriet didn’t just talk about freedom; she risked her life so others could have freedom, too. For over a decade, she made multiple trips back to the South. Based on her own accounts and extensive documentation of her rescue missions, it is believed that Harriet led more than 70 enslaved men, women, and children to freedom. By 1860, Tubman had earned the nickname “Moses” for liberating so many enslaved people at great risk to her own life. So many rescued slaves saw her as their deliverer. And just like the biblical Moses, she trusted God to make a way through impossible situations.

History says that Harriet never lost a single person on her journeys. She carried a small pistol—not just for protection, but to encourage those who wanted to turn back, telling them, “You’ll be free or die.” She knew that hesitation and fear could cost them everything. So determined was Harriet to lead people to freedom that she wasn’t going to let them quit. She would fight for their freedom, and she would even fight them to get them to freedom, if need be.


Even when the Civil War eventually broke out, Harriet still didn’t step away from the fight for freedom. Instead, she stepped further into it. She served as a Union spy, scout and nurse. She was part of a Union military raid on June 2, 1863 that freed over 700 enslaved people. Harriet’s life was mission-driven from beginning to end.

A Challenge to Live Boldly for Christ​

Thing is, Harriet Tubman’s story isn’t just a history lesson for us to look at—it’s an invitation. Harriet didn’t have wealth. She didn’t have formal education. She didn’t have status. But she had faith—faith in God, and that was enough to inspire her to live for more than herself.

This brings us to our theme verse that exemplifies Harriet’s life:

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

Harriet wasn’t just fighting for physical freedom—she was fighting for the freedom God intends for all of us. Sin enslaves. Fear paralyzes. Comfort tempts us to stay where it’s safe. But Christ has set us free so we can live courageously, boldly, and on mission for Him. The question is, are we willing to risk our own freedom for the sake of others’ freedom, as Harriet did?

Your “March MISSION Madness” Moment​

Harriet Tubman’s life was marked by a deep, unwavering faith. She once said, “I always told God, ‘I’m going to hold steady on You, and You’ve got to see me through.'” And He did. He saw her through impossible circumstances, countless dangers, and an extraordinary life that changed history.

So, if you consider yourself a Christ-follower, what about you?

Your life will look different from Harriet’s, but you are called to bring people into the freedom of Christ. Maybe that means stepping out in faith to have a risky conversation about Jesus. Maybe that means leaving behind a comfortable life to help physically rescue those trapped in sex trafficking. Maybe that means standing up against injustice or oppression.

During “March Mission Madness,” let’s all take a lesson from Harriet Tubman. Let’s live crazy amazing lives for Jesus. Let’s walk in faith, trust God completely, and fight for the freedom He has given us in Christ. Let’s talk with those entrusted to us about what this means and how to apply it to our lives.

Because when we do, just like Harriet, we might find that our lives leave a legacy that echoes for generations to come.


Be Encouraged!

Tosha

p.s. You can find the devotion-driven-discipleship conversation guide that goes along with this blog HERE.

The Day I Realized I Didn’t Love God​

For part of my childhood, I didn’t love God. However, I spent many hours at St. Andrews Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where my dad was organist-choirmaster (more about him here). Much of that time was in the historic sanctuary, built in 1857, as pictured below. On Sundays, I typically sat with my mom in the choir loft. Directly behind and facing us were large plaques of the Ten Commandments and the creeds. The plaques extend almost as high as the soaring ceiling. I must have read them countless times before I realized I had a problem with #1: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.”


I believed in and respected God, but I didn’t love God. Yet I knew that loving God was foundational to keeping ALL God’s commands, including loving my neighbors; I heard this truth repeated every Sunday in Rite I for Holy Communion in the Book of Common Prayer.


My younger self reflected on this dilemma. Somehow I realized that I wouldn’t be able to love God without his help, so I decided to pray for God to help me love him. I did that for a couple of years, which seems like a long time for anyone, especially a child, to pray for something. As an adult, I get impatient after a couple of weeks of unanswered prayer!

Perhaps I benefited then from a child’s trust and skewed sense of time. I think it’s fair to say I wasn’t preoccupied with when God would respond to me or how my prayer would be answered; I was satisfied merely to fulfill my own obligation to God as I was called, in prayer, without worrying about what he’d do. I prayed as if into the void, without an answer, but I believed God heard me. And that was enough.

To be succinct: my child’s mind didn’t overthink things the way I do now.

One afternoon a couple of years later, I was sitting in the pews and singing a hymn when I unexpectedly experienced the wildest sensation. Somehow I could feel God inside of me, loving me. I could sense his person, his mind. My immediate, involuntary response to his love was my love. That’s how God answered my prayer, how he enabled me to love him and fulfill the first commandment. I’m reminded of 1 John 4:19: “We love him [God] because he first loved us.”


Of course, I did my part. My diligent, years-long prayer to love God, although done without any feeling of love on my end, was still an act of love. But God fanned the quivering flame of love inside of me by giving me access to him and to his love. He completed the good work he started in me (Ph. 1:6).

Sometimes when I come to God in prayer, I worry I might be imagining God’s feelings or his words. I tend to overthink. But this experience I had with God as a little girl was not a fanciful conjuring. My crazy, sudden, inexplicable and intense awareness of God’s consciousness was not an experience I would have been able to imagine then, and I didn’t overanalyze it; I received it in wonder and joy.

A few years ago I was reading a child’s version of the Gospels to my three-year-old daughter. Eventually, we came to the story where a lawyer approaches Jesus in the temple:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment, and the second is like it. On these two commandments hang all the law and the Prophets.’ ” (Matt. 22:36-40)

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Afterward my daughter turned to me with concern and said, “I don’t love God.”

I got goosebumps.

Don’t worry, I said. Now that you realize you don’t love God, you can ask him to help you love him.

Selfless Sacrifice and Mary Slessor’s Crazy Amazing Faith​

There are some people in history whose lives make us stop in our tracks. Their stories challenge our comfort, stretch our faith, and inspire us to live bolder for Jesus. One such person is Mary Slessor, a woman whose fierce devotion to Christ led her deep into the heart of West Africa. There she lived out her mission for Jesus, transforming lives, confronting injustice, and fearlessly carrying the gospel into places no one else dared to go.


Personally, in all my years of ministry, missions, and studying Christian history, Mary’s name had never crossed my path. That changed one day while visiting the William Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland. Meandering within the towering tribute to Scotland’s legendary warrior, I noticed a simple memorial bust honoring a woman. Curious, I read about her—and what I discovered left me quite impressed.

Turns out, Mary Slessor was a missionary whose life wasn’t just marked by faith but a radical, relentless, all-in faith. (You can listen to a podcast episode about her HERE.) Mary lived a kind of selflessness that makes no sense to the world but turns history upside down for Jesus. I left the Williams Wallace Monument inspired, not just by him, but by this little Scottish woman who selflessly made a huge impact for Christ.

A Life That Defied Expectations​

Mary Slessor was born in 1848 into poverty in Scotland. The daughter of a struggling and often absent father, she began working in the textile mills at just eleven years old. Life was hard, but it was in those difficult years that her faith was forged. A devout believer, Mary’s mother inspired her with stories from God’s Word. She also taught Mary and her siblings about missionaries like David Livingstone, a famous Scottish missionary to Africa. With this rich discipleship, Mary began to feel a call to missions. However, in that era, a single, working-class woman had little hope of making such a bold move.


But God had other plans, and Mary didn’t give up finding out what those were.

Going to the Mission Field​

In 1876, at only 28 years old, Mary boarded a ship and set sail for Calabar, Nigeria. This was an area where previous missionaries had either died from disease or fled due to danger. Calabar was no ordinary mission field. In those days, Calabar was a land steeped in tribal warfare, superstition, and violent customs.

One of their culture’s most horrific practices was killing or abandoning twins at birth because it was believed that at least one of the twins was a devil. Mary would actively stop the killings or search for the abandoned babies and take them in as her own children. She would raise them alongside other children she adopted, helping challenge the tribal customs and raising the value of all lives. By about 1916, the killing of twins was finally eradicated, largely due to Mary’s selfless and sacrificial efforts.

Mary did even more than this, though. Rather than staying in the relative safety of the missionary compound, Mary went to the people, learned their language, adapted to their culture, and earned their trust. With fiery red hair, a Scottish accent, and an iron-willed determination, she walked barefoot through the villages, nursing the sick, intervening in tribal wars, and sharing the gospel with anyone who would listen.


She didn’t just preach Jesus—she selflessly served like Him.

Faith That Stands in the Face of Fear​

One of the most famous stories of Mary Slessor’s courage took place during a tribal dispute where warriors were prepared to fight to the death. Armed with nothing but her Bible and faith, she walked straight into the conflict, stood between the warriors, and demanded they lay down their weapons. Incredibly, they listened.

Over time, her influence grew, and she was invited into positions of authority as a peacemaker and advocate for justice. She became so respected that local chiefs sought her counsel, calling her “The White Queen of Okoyong.” Mary never sought power, though; she just lived in God’s power. She followed Jesus, selflessly served, and lived out Christ’s radical gospel.

She once said, “Christ sent me to preach the gospel, and He will look after the results.” Mary didn’t wait for permission, a perfect situation, or a paved path—she just went where God called her. She lived with abandon for Jesus, trusting that He would use her small, humble life for His great and glorious purposes. Mary lived out the truth of Philippians 2:3-4:


“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Mary’s servant heart and simple trust in the Lord guided her through sickness, opposition, and countless dangers. She was bitten by deadly insects, survived tropical diseases, and at times suffered extreme loneliness. Yet she pressed on, because she knew that nothing—not comfort, not safety, not even her own life—was more valuable than living her mission for the Kingdom of God.

March Madness for Jesus​

As we move through “March MISSION Madness,” we’re focusing on people who lived crazy, sacrificial, awe-inspiring lives for Christ. Mary Slessor is a prime example. By the world’s standards, she was foolish—a poor Scottish girl with no wealth, status, or formal theological training. However, as I stood before Mary’s simple memorial in Scotland, I was so inspired, and I couldn’t help but wonder: How am I selflessly living out my faith?

Mary’s life challenges all of us. Are we playing it safe? Are we waiting for the perfect circumstances to step out for Jesus? Or are we willing to embrace the wild, faith-filled adventure He is calling us to?


Maybe God isn’t sending us into the African jungle, but He is calling us somewhere—perhaps to speak boldly at work, disciple the next generation, step into a hard conversation, or stand up for truth when it costs us. Mary Slessor didn’t just read the Bible—she lived it. She didn’t just claim to be a Christ-follower—she lived like Him. And that’s the challenge for us today.

Mary once said, “If you play safe in life, you’ll never accomplish much.” Her story reminds us that Jesus doesn’t call us to a life of ease, but a life of impact. The path won’t always be comfortable, but if we are willing to go, He will use us in ways we never imagined.

As we continue through “March MISSION Madness,” let’s allow Mary’s story to light a fire in our hearts. Let’s step out in faith, live boldly for Jesus, and trust that when we say yes to Him—crazy, amazing things will happen.

Be encouraged!

Tosha