Last month was such a blessing! A powerful reminder that God’s Word never runs out of fuel, never disappoints, and is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). It can never be exhausted! It is never irrelevant! It is applicable for every situation!  

Morning by morning throughout the month of September (September Fast, 2022), God awakened my ear to listen (Isaiah 50:4-10, NASB). Supporting me on this journey, God used the book of Esther, where I found principles to set my course, and saw His providential hand repeatedly. Faithfully stewarding God’s gifts produces a healthy balance in eating, serving, and walking with our Creator as His fellow worker (2 Corinthians 6:1). Maintaining the priority of a growing relationship with God results in joy and contentment being our traveling companions.

Everyday a choice is made: who or what will we serve?! As the Creator of everything, God is the only One worthy. He alone deserves our worship and admiration. It is His grace that allows a rebellious, sinful nation to be called the children of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is His love that calls “whosoever” to be saved (John 3:16).

And by that same grace and love, on October 8, 2022, I reached the ripe age of 60! As fruit develops and is fully grown, it then begins to ripen. Have you ever noticed how one-minute bananas are green and by the next they are turning brown and soft? It feels that is exactly how fast I reached this new plateau of life with old age spots popping up everywhere! But it also has awakened a new sense of urgency for me! I want to share the gift of eternal life with as many as I am able (Romans 6:23). Not wanting to miss out on the ways God wants to use me, I want to step out in total submission to His call, like Esther. And like the Prophet Isaiah, I am thankful that He helps me, and I am not ashamed (Isaiah 50:7, NASB).

When we fear man, we waste what God wants to do through us and how He wants to use us. Esther could have feared what the king would do to her, but she followed God’s direction and instead: she feared God and obeyed the voice of her uncle, Mordecai!

Let us remember, mortal man and dark days cannot negate the hand of God in our lives. Refuse to be confounded by the happenings of this life. Instead trust in the name of the Lord and rely on Him (Isaiah 50:10; 12:2; 26:3).

Let’s journey through this 60^th year to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1)!