Holding our Breath

The other day I was having coffee with a good friend and mentor, and she told me that lately she feels like she is constantly absorbing more: people’s struggles, their asks, and the steady stream of things to do. She’s realised that what she seeks is to begin to release more —her creative expression, her spiritual gifts, her joy and Godly passion—all things of which I know she has an abundance. Yet I also know what it’s like to be so burdened with a continuous inflow of responsibilities that you have no time to tap into your true, inner calling.

This is especially true of Christian women. We all want to be the Proverbs 31 woman, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come…she watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31: 25,27). However, too often we make the mistake of living out this verse by being constantly busy. Yet there is a difference between being busy, and being productive, especially when it comes to God’s kingdom.

Out of Breath

As we spoke, I immediately recalled something I learnt from a woman who coached me in my running four years ago. When I used to run uphill stretches, I would generally find myself gasping for air and panting, thinking I just needed more oxygen. This is a common body response because when carbon dioxide levels rise, it triggers the urge to breathe faster so we can clear it out and bring in more oxygen. However, what I learnt was that I needed to go against the instinct to breathe faster and instead force the carbon dioxide out through long and steady exhales. As soon as you do this, you will find that your heartbeat will slow down and your breathing will regulate, allowing you to inhale more oxygen in a steady rhythm.

Sometimes in life, I find myself out of breath. When this happens, I know the answer is more of God, but because I’m trudging through a swamp of busyness, I end up trying to squeeze Him in — I read a bite size devotion sitting in my inbox, I try to attend another church meeting, or I listen to worship music while cooking or driving— but it’s hardly replenishing me in the fullness of His presence.

Breathing out: making room for the new

“And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.” Luke 5:37 – 38 NIV

While Jesus was referring to His new covenant replacing the strict religious ways of the Pharisees, we can also interpret this passage for our current, daily lives. We need to renew our spirits by pushing out the old. Like using new wine skins to pour in new wine, the key is pushing the old air out, so that the fullness of God’s “oxygen” can be absorbed. Yet, what is the carbon dioxide in our lives — the things we need to release to make space for new breath?

We discussed this in a women’s group I attend, and I’d like to list just a few examples of what was shared:

• Old thoughts: One of the ladies expressed how she has always believed she’s not creative, but as my friend pointed out, we are all made in His image as creative beings, which can include the little things in life — not just artwork in galleries or written books. Her “carbon dioxide” is the incorrect belief that she is not creative, but with God’s new “oxygen”, she is discovering how she is already creative and can be even more so.
• Wasted time: For many of us in the room, we confessed to being perpetual scrollers on social media. At the end of the day, exhausted and seeking mild entertainment safe in our shells, we lie down and disappear into the social media time warp, where “just five” minutes morphs into two hours, which often means going to bed too late. As one wise woman among us shared, the real discipline isn’t in waking up early to meet with God — it’s in going to bed on time.
• Prideful Habits: I realised that one reason why my to-do pile keeps growing and blocking the things I should do, is not asking for help, even from my own husband. I’ll instead battle forward alone trying to juggle everything and then end up feeling resentful. Because let’s be honest — I’m not the long-suffering servant quietly carrying the world on her shoulders; I’m more like a trumpet of showy huffs and puffs. This is because my reason for “doing everything”, has more to do with pride than it does joyful selflessness.
• Hurt: One of the younger ladies who attended spoke of purging negative thoughts. As Christians we are rightly taught to take captive negative thoughts, and “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say.” All very true. But sometimes we take this to extremes when we are not even honest with ourselves let alone God, and so past hurts and bitterness fester within us. Sometimes it’s necessary to ‘purge’ of negative feelings by expressing it through journaling or through counsel with a trusted friend.

Breathing in: the replenishing infilling

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 NIV

Jesus models what we need to be doing to experience true relationship with him and the Father. In merely reading this scripture, the longing of my soul is roused by its promise of peace and replenishment. Time with our father needs to be an extended pause. We need a deep inhale of His truth, filling us with the peace of His presence, quietening the hustle of our minds so that we can feel and hear the heart He has for us. Ignited by His spirit, we are more connected to His purpose and we can take on tasks guided by His wisdom and calling on our lives.

“I have filled him with the Spirit of God… to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” Exodus 31:3–5 NIV

When we breathe in the oxygen of God, not only are we more attuned to His deep love and purpose for us, but He awakens cells within our spiritual body, stirring them into motion, to collide and unite and become vessels for creative thoughts. As we established earlier, we are creative in everything, not only in music, artwork and books. In daily chores we are creative as we create order in our personal admin and household. We are creative in our conversations, as we create new ideas together. We are creative in our thoughts, as we envision a better way for things to be. In all these things the oxygen He provides is our inspiration for the daily creations as well as the larger creative projects, because His essence is creator and we were made in His image: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1 NIV).

The Calm Exhale

Once we have cleared our lungs of the excess ‘carbon dioxide’ and drawn a deeper breath of God’s ‘oxygen’, we can exhale with greater calm and ease the things He is wanting us to release into the world. We release creativity to build. We release encouragement to our neighbours. We release joy and testimony to the quiet onlookers on the side. We release ourselves in the way that God is wanting us to be released. We release His light.

Where do we start?

I ask this question without holding an answer. We all walk very different lives and therefore we all have different ways of finding our breathing rhythm. For me, my starting point was to envision what breathing rhythm looks like in my life, and from there, I started listing the things — the excess ‘carbon dioxide’ —that needs to be exhaled from my life in order for me to inhale more of God’s ‘oxygen’.

What is your starting point?

The post The Oxygen of God appeared first on Cup of Faith.

I have a friend who enjoys putting puzzles together. She’s incredible. She has the patience to finish any puzzle she starts. She often talks about her puzzles, describing how much time she dedicates to completing them. Every piece is examined and set aside on the table to be used when it fits in its proper place. Sometimes those pieces don’t fit for days or even weeks, as other pieces need to be placed first. Over time, the puzzle comes together, and every piece finds its place.

I’ve experienced things in life that I couldn’t explain, and there are still some that I can’t understand; they haven’t found a place in my life yet. So, those pieces remain on the periphery of the puzzle, waiting to be placed at the right moment. They are prepared for when they’ll be needed. But until that moment comes, those pieces won’t make sense. Like my friend, they have to sit on the side of the puzzle table until they fit.

No Small Task

Jesus went to a city called Jericho (see Luke 19:1-10), and in that city, there was a man named Zacchaeus. I remember being a young child in Sunday School singing, “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he! He climbed up in a sycamore tree, the Lord he wanted to see!” The problem Zacchaeus had was greater than his lack of height; he was a tax collector, and leaping over his despised status among his countrymen was no small task (pun not intended).

How was this short man, whom no one wanted to help (really, even today, who wants to help a tax collector?), supposed to catch a glimpse of the Lord Jesus as He passed by? He didn’t even consider that Jesus might stop to change his life forever; that seemed impossible because everyone around him despised him. Why would Jesus consider stopping for him? Still, Zacchaeus hoped to at least catch a glimpse of the Lord as He went through the city.

Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus because he was quite short and needed a boost. Sitting in the tree, Jesus approached him, talked with him, and from that moment on, Zacchaeus’ life was forever changed. He returned the stolen money, and his character transformed from the inside out.

Jesus was going through the city of Jericho. A man was there named Zacchaeus, who was a very important tax collector, and he was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because he was too short to see above the crowd. He ran ahead to a place where Jesus would come, and he climbed a sycamore tree so he could see him. When Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today.” Luke 19:1-5 NCV

Before it was Needed

But have you ever considered that long before Zacchaeus climbed the tree, God planted it to meet his need? He placed a piece of the puzzle in the right place so at the right time, Zacchaeus would encounter Jesus. Until that time, it was a random tree that at best offered shade for weary travelers on warm summer days. It wasn’t until Jesus walked through Jericho and met Zacchaeus that the real purpose of the tree was revealed: it was meant to bring Zacchaeus closer to Jesus.

I imagine Zacchaeus had no intention of even speaking with Jesus and might have even scurried off in fear had Jesus begun walking towards him. In the tree, Zacchaeus was cornered on his branch. He had nowhere to hide.

The Zacchaeus Moment

There are pieces of the puzzle that will fit into our lives just at the moment they are designed to fit; we need to leave the pieces alone until the Zacchaeus moment arrives.

It will fit perfectly.

God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.
Psalm 18:30 NLT

Just like every puzzle piece has its proper place, so do we in God’s plan. Zacchaeus might have felt like an out-of-place piece, looked down on, dismissed, or even despised. Still, Jesus sought him out, called him by name, and gave him his place in God’s picture of redemption. If you’ve ever felt overlooked or as if your life doesn’t quite fit, take heart: Jesus sees you, too. He calls you to come down from whatever tree you’ve climbed and welcomes Him in. Will you, like Zacchaeus, open your heart and let Him place you where you truly belong?

Relevant reading: https://www.faithward.org/how-to-create-a-sense-of-belonging-and-invite-everyone-to-contribute-their-spiritual-gifts/

A Prayer to Belong

Lord Jesus, thank You that You see me just as You saw Zacchaeus. When I feel overlooked, remind me that I have a place in Your plan. Help me trust that every part of my life fits into the picture You are creating. I open my heart to You today. Come in, make Your home with me, and let me find my true belonging in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The post The Puzzle of Belonging, Lessons from Zacchaeus appeared first on Cup of Faith.

We’ve all been there. The job you thought was yours slips away. The marriage you prayed for falls apart. The dream you nurtured quietly in your heart never seems to take shape. Disappointment is such a universal experience that you almost wonder why it still catches us off guard.

And yet, when it hits, it cuts deep. It leaves us wondering, Where is God in this? Why didn’t He come through the way I hoped?

If you’ve ever whispered those words through tears, take heart: you’re not alone. Scripture is filled with people who knew disappointment intimately. But it’s also filled with the faithfulness of God meeting His children in their lowest moments. Today, let’s walk through how we can bring our disappointments to Him, and how we can find the strength to rise again.

1. Disappointment Is Part of the Faith Journey

Sometimes, when life doesn’t go as planned, we’re quick to blame ourselves. We wonder, Did I miss God’s will? Did I pray wrong? Am I not good enough? I found myself asking these very questions after my divorce.
But disappointment is not foreign to God’s people.

David longed to build a temple for God, but God said no. Moses led faithfully for decades, only to be barred from entering the Promised Land. Paul begged for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, and God responded not with deliverance, but with grace. Even Jesus faced disappointment – His closest friends fell asleep while He prayed in Gethsemane, and the crowds who once adored Him later cried out for His crucifixion.

Their stories remind us: disappointment doesn’t mean we are out of God’s favour. It simply means we are human, living in a broken world, walking a road where even the most faithful saints have stumbled.

2. Be Honest With God

One of the most healing steps we can take is to name our disappointment before God. Too often we plaster on a smile, convincing ourselves that “good Christians” shouldn’t feel let down. But denial isn’t faith; it’s avoidance.

The psalmists show us a better way. “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” Psalm 13:1 ESV. Or this cry: “My tears have been my food day and night” (Psalm 42:3 ESV).
God isn’t threatened by our honesty. In fact, He invites it. When we pour out our disappointment to Him – our confusion, our grief, even our anger – we open the door for His comfort to enter.

Maybe today you need to write your own psalm. Tell God exactly what you hoped for, how it hurts to let it go, and where you feel lost. That kind of raw honesty is not weakness; it’s worship.

3. Remember Who He Is

Here’s the tricky thing about disappointment: it doesn’t just bruise our hearts; it clouds our view of God. The enemy whispers, He’s not really good. He doesn’t care. You can’t trust Him with your future.

But disappointment must drive us deeper into God’s character, not away from it. When feelings scream otherwise, we anchor ourselves in truth:

•  God is faithful. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.” Lamentations 3:22 ESV
• God is wise. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.” Isaiah 55:9 ESV
• God is good. “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble” Nahum 1:7 ESV

We may not see the full picture, but we can trust the One who does.

4. Let God Reframe the Story

Sometimes what feels like the end is really God’s redirection. Joseph knew what it was to be disappointed: betrayed, imprisoned, forgotten. And yet, years later, he could look his brothers in the eye and say, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20 ESV).

Could it be that your disappointment is not wasted either? That delay may be preparation. That closed door may be protection. That broken dream may be the soil for something even better to grow.

It doesn’t make the pain disappear, but it shifts our perspective from despair to expectation.

5. Lift Your Eyes to Eternal Hope

At its core, disappointment reminds us that this world will never fully satisfy. If every prayer was answered exactly as we wanted, if every dream came true, we might forget that we are pilgrims passing through.

Hebrews 11 speaks of those who “did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance” (v. 13 NIV). Their unmet expectations kept their eyes fixed on a better country – a heavenly one.

Your hope is not tied to this moment, this job, this relationship, or this dream. Your hope is tied to Jesus – the One who bore ultimate disappointment on the cross so you could inherit eternal joy.

6. Picking Yourself Up: Practical Steps

So, what do you do when disappointment lingers like a heavy shadow? Here are some simple, biblical practices:

1.  Pray honestly. Pour out your heart to God (see Psalm 62:8).
2. Cling to Scripture. Let His Word anchor you when emotions shift (see Psalm 119:105).
3. Lean on community. Don’t walk alone; allow others to carry your burdens (see Galatians 6:2).
4. Choose worship. Praise doesn’t erase the pain, but it lifts your eyes to God’s power (see Acts 16:25).
5. Look for redemption. Ask God how He might use even this disappointment for His glory (see Romans 8:28).

Rising after disappointment doesn’t mean pretending you’re fine. It means holding God’s hand as He leads you step by step toward healing and hope.

An Invitation to Hope

Friend, if you’re reading this through the lens of fresh disappointment, I want you to know this: you are not forgotten. God has not overlooked you. He has not abandoned your story.

Take a moment today to write down your disappointment. Name it clearly. Then, beside it, write one unshakable truth about God’s character. Let that truth become the banner over your pain. Because while disappointment may have the loudest voice right now, God has the final word.

A Prayer for the Disappointed Heart

Lord, I bring my disappointment before You today. You know the places where my heart feels heavy, where dreams have slipped away, where prayers seem unanswered. I confess that sometimes I struggle to trust You in the waiting. But today, I choose to believe You are still good, still faithful, still writing my story. Wrap me in Your comfort. Teach me to rest in Your presence. Heal what is broken, and use even this disappointment to draw me closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Final Encouragement

Disappointment doesn’t get the last say. Jesus does. And in Him, your story is still unfolding with purpose, hope, and glory. One day, every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4). Until then, let disappointment lead you closer to the only One who never fails.

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I’m currently reading Judges and Matthew together as part of my scripture reading and yesterday it so happened that I read about Samson in Judges and Peter’s denial in Matthew on the same day. The one similarity that struck me about these two figures is that their failures are brought into sharp focus, respectively, in their stories. But while in both cases it seems like their story has come to an end at their undoing — Samson being betrayed to the Philistines and Peter deserting Jesus in disgrace — we know it’s not the end.

In Samson’s case, while for most of his life he wasted his God-given strength acting impulsively for self-serving purposes, in a final moment of faith he explicitly called on God for strength to bring down the temple and thereby fulfil his purpose of beginning to restore Israel from Philistine. In Peter’s case, while he fearfully denied Jesus when he was accused of knowing him, he went on to courageously and faithfully spread the word fulfilling Jesus’ commission for him to be the founder of the Christian church.

Similarly in our own lives, when we fail in our walks of faith, we needn’t despair in that failure, because it is not the end of our story, and the word reassures us of this, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV)

Samson and Peter’s stories have helped me to remember three things in reflecting on my own life with the above scripture in mind.

We are chosen, even with our failures

God was not surprised by any of Samson’s mistakes, not even when he told Delilah how to weaken him, just as He wasn’t surprised by Peter’s denial. Yet knowing this, He chose them anyway. The same is true of you and I. When we fail to do the right thing, or we stumble in our faith, we can take comfort that He chose us, died for us and called us knowing that we would still fail even when we chose Him and professed our faith in Him. A good friend reminded me of this, though in a much blunter way through a common saying, ‘When God wrote the plan for your life he factored in your stupidity.’ What a relief it is to hear when I think back on some of my poor decisions even when I was living in faith!

We don’t need to make ourselves perfect for Him to love and accept us, we are perfect by His sacrifice, yet He wants and has called us to something greater in our lives which requires us to change, “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:14 NIV.

Our failures are a testimony

What makes the stories of Samson and Peter so strong, is that it shows the stark difference between their earlier failures and their final transformation. While Samson lived his life boasting of his strength and using it to settle grudges or get revenge, his final act of strength was humbling himself before God and asking for the strength to be used in an act of self-sacrifice. While Peter deserted Jesus by the simple accusation of a servant girl, after living a life in service to Jesus, he eventually went on willingly to be executed for his faith.

“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15.

Progress is indeed evident in the lives of Samson and Peter, and it is specifically progress from their failures. In this light, we have an opportunity when we fail to not see it as something to dismay us, but rather something to encourage us as we look forward to when we are faced with similar circumstances that led to our failures, reflecting on how we will act differently. In this way, those who witness your failings, will also witness the progress and triumph of these failings, pointing to the work of grace in your life.

We are not alone

“Now may the God of peace… equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” Hebrews 13:20–21 NIV.

Living in the presence of the Holy Spirit is what sharpens our character. It was when Samson humbled himself before God and acknowledged from Whom he received his strength, that he showed the greatest strength of his life. It was when Peter had seen the risen Jesus, resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit and lived by that same spirit from the moment of Pentecost, that he was no longer fearful of death, but instead embraced a life in service to Jesus, even in death.

What we learn from Samson and Peter, is that it’s when we depend on God for our strength, and when we live in the power of the Holy Spirit, that we are transformed. God does not expect us to do it alone, and that is specifically why Jesus said that He would send to us His helper. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, that we live in God’s strength and not our own, and it is the Holy Spirit that brings about our progress, which is the biggest testimony to the power of Jesus.

How is your progress?

I’d like to invite you to join me in an exercise I’m doing this week: write down any recent (or past) failures, big or small. Then reflect on how you would like to respond next time you face similar circumstances, and pray for the Holy Spirit’s help when that moment comes. As part of this, take time to reflect on each fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22–23 — Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control — and consider which are thriving in you, and which need nurturing.

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I remember one of my favorite things to say to my three older children when they were growing up was: “Be nice.”

Sometimes it felt nearly impossible to get through a day without a major crisis unfolding between two or all three of them. The oldest would often tease the youngest, the second-born (a daughter) would take great delight in getting her two brothers into trouble, and the third-born relished the fact that he had it a bit easier than his two older siblings. Now, with a fourth one that came a full 15 years after our third, you know there is a lot of “you didn’t do that for us” going around.

Well, I confess, there’s truth to that statement, but we learn as we go, don’t we? While we were waiting for our first child to be born, I recall thinking that I would do everything better than everyone else (although I’m not sure why I thought this). I knew how I wanted to raise my child in a certain way that was better than everyone else’s. I was sure that my household would be quiet and peaceful, with the laundry always folded, dinner on the table, and everyone being nice.

Still Working On It

Fast forward 10 years, and I found myself up to my neck in raising children, living abroad, and working as a full-time church planter and community outreach coordinator in Africa. I honestly do not know how I managed to get through those days with my mind still somewhat intact.

The amount of work that goes into running a household in that region of Africa is stupefying. There is no fast food (thankfully), no quick place to shop (you go to the market, which is an all-day ordeal), and keeping the house clean is a whole other post for another day. All of this doesn’t take into account the work of the mission and the church. At the end of every day (much like you, wherever you are), both then and now, I wonder how I made it, continue to make it, and follow my counsel to “be nice.” Honestly, I wasn’t always as nice as I had hoped to be, but I always worked on it and am still working on it!

“Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.”
Ephesians 4:31,32 TLB

Speaking Our Minds and Being Nice

In the current supercharged world of “speaking our minds,” many have forgotten the need for those of us identifying as Christians to just be nice, be kind to each other. Everywhere we look these days, whether online, on TV, in print, or in person, there’s a strong negative current to “speak up for what is right.” We are ambassadors of the Kingdom and our righteous King, but we won’t convince anyone of their need for Christ if our righteousness is covered in ugliness. No matter the situation, Scripture is clear on the matter: we must be nice.

Society has always been ugly, humanity has always been divided, and the church can’t fulfill her mission when she looks, acts, and speaks like the world. Whatever happened to following Jesus’ advice to “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 NLT

Have you ever noticed how exhausting it is to force change with anger or frustration? I wonder how many ulcers and troubles with high blood pressure could be averted by simply being nice.

Learning the Hard Way

I learned this truth the hard way years ago, serving here on the continent when I saw much hunger, injustice, and unnecessary death. I worked myself to the bone trying to bring about change; no matter how hard I worked, no matter how many hungry and vulnerable children I fed, there were still more than needed to be fed, and despite my valiant efforts, people still went hungry.

I became tired and bitter about my situation and the unfairness of it all, until one day, after sickness forced me to rest, I understood that anything pulling me from Jesus’ yoke that gives me rest is not His will for me. Over time, I began to realize that this fallen world is full of sin, and sin can’t be dealt with on our terms. Anger, frustration, overworking, and self-righteousness pull us away from His way of addressing humanity’s fallen nature by simply being nice. The response of humanity to the message of the cross is not my responsibility; I am only responsible for bringing the Good News. As long as there is sin in the world, there will be division, injustice, and pain.

This doesn’t mean we don’t speak the truth, for Scripture clearly instructs us to “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” (Ephesians 4:15 NLT) What is our motive for speaking out, and what is our method? If our motive for reaching out to those we see lost in sin is love for them, then our methods will align with Scripture. Otherwise, we are only adding fuel to the fire of division instead of bringing Christ into the situation to redeem it.

How Has It Worked So Far?

How has frustration over the sinfulness of this world worked for us thus far? How has being angry helped any situation? Jesus walked this fallen earth and seldom was seen showing outright anger and frustration to the world; He had come to save them, give Himself for them, He died for them. His frustration was evident in the temple, among the “righteous,” who were too busy enriching themselves to reach out to those who truly needed help outside the temple (for us, this can be taken to mean the church).

My youngest daughter loves the movie, Frozen, and the theme song, “Let it go.” I rarely spiritualize animated movies, but today I will make an exception. Those things that frustrate you, those unfair, unrighteous, unholy, complicated things that anger you, let them go. Take Jesus’ yoke on you; He is the only One qualified to measure out judgment. Now is the time to be the church in the world, speak in love, and simply put:

Be nice.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,
Help me to recognize the moments and places where I’ve missed Your heart in the way I respond to the world around me. Teach me to be patient, to see people through Your eyes, and to respond with the same love and grace You show to me. May my life reflect Your motives and character, so that I may be a faithful example to those around me. Thank You for the privilege of being Your representative in this world.
Amen.

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Heritage Day in South Africa is one of my favourite times of the year. Streets and schools fill with colour as people proudly wear their traditional attire – bright shweshwe, elegant Indian saris, dignified isiXhosa beadwork, African print shirts, and so much more. Braais are lit, families gather, and the air is alive with the reminder that this nation is a beautiful mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions.

But as someone who is not originally from South Africa, I experience Heritage Day a little differently. I love celebrating with my friends, yet I am also aware of the tension that comes with being a “makwerekwere” (foreigner) here. South Africa has known its share of xenophobia – fear or rejection of people from other nations. I have felt it in looks, in whispered words, sometimes even in outright hostility. And yet, I’ve also experienced the opposite: kindness, hospitality, and a genuine spirit of ubuntu that reflects something of God’s heart.

It’s in this tension – between rejection and welcome – that I find myself reflecting deeply on what diversity means in the Kingdom of God.

God’s Design for Diversity

When I read Scripture, I’m struck by the fact that God is not afraid of difference. He delights in it. From the very beginning, creation testifies to this: mountains and valleys, deserts and seas, countless varieties of birds and flowers. Diversity is God’s signature.

And then He made humanity, not from one mould but destined to multiply across the earth into countless tribes, tongues, and nations. All carrying His image, all reflecting His glory in unique ways. The promise God gave to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 ESV, that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed”, was never about one nation alone. God’s story was always global.

As a foreigner, that gives me hope. My belonging in the Kingdom of God is not limited by my passport, my skin colour, or my accent. It is secured in Christ.

Diversity in the Church

When I walk into a South African church, I sometimes feel out of place. My accent marks me as different. My traditions are not the same. There are moments I worry: Do I really belong here? Will I ever be fully accepted?
But then I remember Pentecost in Acts 2. When the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples, the miracle was not that everyone suddenly spoke the same language. The miracle was that people from many nations heard the good news in their own languages: Parthians, Medes, Egyptians, Arabs, and more. God affirmed their cultural uniqueness instead of erasing it.

That tells me something powerful: in God’s Kingdom, I don’t have to lose my identity to belong. I don’t have to stop being who I am, where I come from, or what I carry in order to be accepted. Instead, my difference is part of the richness of the family of God.

And that also means the differences of my South African brothers and sisters – whether Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Afrikaner, Coloured, or Indian – are not threats but treasures. Together, we display something of the vastness of God that we could never show on our own.

Facing Xenophobia with a Kingdom Vision

But here’s where the ache comes in. We know South Africa has struggled with xenophobia – waves of violence, rejection, suspicion, and scapegoating of foreigners. As a foreigner, I’ve felt the sting of those realities.

It’s not unique to South Africa, of course. Across the world, foreigners are often viewed with suspicion. Yet the gospel confronts this head-on.

Paul writes in Ephesians 2:19 ESV, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God”

What a beautiful truth. In Christ, there are no outsiders. No one is “less than.” No one is disposable. The dividing walls of hostility between Jew and Gentile, local and foreigner, insider and outsider, have been torn down by the cross.

When xenophobia raises its head, we as believers are called to resist it with the Kingdom vision of welcome. To see each other not as threats, but as family. To honour the image of God in the stranger. To make space for one another’s stories, food, languages, and songs – not just out of politeness, but because the Kingdom is incomplete without them.

Heritage Day Through Kingdom Eyes

So, what does Heritage Day mean for someone like me, a foreigner, yet also a believer? For me, it is both a celebration and an invitation.

It’s a celebration because I get to see the beauty of South Africa’s diversity on full display: the many cultures, languages, and traditions that make this nation unique. It’s also a celebration because I know that in the Kingdom of God, this diversity points to something eternal, a glimpse of the heavenly multitude John saw in Revelation 7:9 ESV:

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

But Heritage Day is also an invitation: an invitation for us, as the church, to embody this Kingdom reality here and now. To look past our fears and prejudices. To choose love over suspicion. To embrace the foreigner as brother or sister. To stand together, across lines of culture and nationality, and declare with one voice: “Salvation belongs to our God.”

Lessons for Us as Believers

Here are a few heartfelt reflections on how we can live out this vision, both as South Africans and as those who’ve made this nation our home:

1. See diversity as a gift, not a threat. Our differences enrich us. They help us see God’s glory more fully. They challenge our assumptions and expand our understanding of His love.
2. Create spaces of belonging. For those of us who are locals, we can be intentional in welcoming foreigners; not just with polite words, but with genuine inclusion. For those of us who are foreigners, we can resist the temptation to withdraw, and instead offer our unique perspectives and gifts to the community.
3. Stand against xenophobia. Silence can never be an option. As the church, we are called to be a prophetic voice against injustice. When we see prejudice, violence, or rejection, we must speak up and embody the radical welcome of Christ.
4. Celebrate heritage as worship. Our songs, languages, and traditions are not just cultural markers; they can be offerings to God. When we bring the fullness of who we are into worship, we give Him glory in ways that only we can.

A Foretaste of Heaven

Heritage Day reminds me of a truth that steadies my heart when I feel like an outsider: my ultimate citizenship is in heaven. My passport may say one country, I may live in another, and sometimes I may feel caught in-between. But in Christ, I know where I belong.

The Kingdom of God is my home. And it is a home where every tribe, every language, and every nation have a place. Where foreigners are not strangers, but family. Where xenophobia and division will finally be no more.

So, this Heritage Day, as you wear your traditional attire, share a meal, or tell your family stories, I will be celebrating alongside you; not just as a guest in your land, but as a fellow citizen of God’s Kingdom. Together, we are a foretaste of heaven, declaring to the world that the Kingdom of God is both diverse and united, both colourful and whole, both deeply rooted in our differences and eternally bound by the love of Christ.

Final Reflection

Diversity in the Kingdom is not just beautiful – it is purposeful. God designed it. Christ redeemed it. And the Spirit empowers it.

So let us not fear it, reject it, or weaponize it. Instead, let us embrace it, celebrate it, and live it out in the way we welcome one another. For in the end, we will discover that our differences are not dividing lines but brushstrokes in God’s masterpiece.

This Heritage Day, may we catch a glimpse of that masterpiece. And may we, as South Africans and foreigners alike, choose to live as one family in Christ – joyfully diverse, gloriously united, and deeply loved. Will you join me in living out this vision of diversity as God’s beautiful design?

Editor’s call to action: Which of Marthe’s reflections are important for you today?

1. See diversity as a gift, not a threat.
2. Create spaces of belonging. 
3. Stand against xenophobia.
4. Celebrate heritage as worship.

Let us know in the comments!

The post Diversity in the Kingdom of God: A Beautiful Purpose for Heritage Day appeared first on Cup of Faith.

“Life is hard, not because you’ve taken a wrong turn. Life is hard because this is the way of love – and Love Himself will be with you every step of the way.” Ann Voskamp, Waymaker.

Have you ever enjoyed a drink slowly, savouring the taste with each sip? Tried to make it last? I drink my Earl Grey tea, made with Nigiro tea leaves, in such a fashion. I find the line where enjoy-while-hot and make-it-last-as-long-as-possible intersect.

I found myself reading ‘Waymaker’ this way, too. The thoughts Ann shares are often so profound and deeply beautiful that it requires a certain slowness. She writes with a playful, poetic style that invites the reader into her inner world. Her use of language reminds me of Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz (a firm favourite!).

I’ve been very slow to the party: this was my first ever Ann Voskamp book! A friend bought this book for me, and then Christian Arts sent it to Cup of Faith with a request for a review. With two copies on my shelf, this was not one I could skip. (The other copy is available for giveaway!)

‘Waymaker’ is a book about very difficult seasons and how we respond while waiting. Ann shares tenderly about difficulties in her marriage, her health, adopting a child, and the health of her son. It reads like a ballroom dance: a story of love between a woman and her Jesus. She is honest about what it means to seek God, to fail in seeking God, and to experience God’s faithfulness through it all. Anyone who feels that they are in a wilderness season would benefit from this beautifully crafted book. 

Journalling Prompt

Ann shares a prayer-journaling prompt that was inspired by her reading of Exodus:

Stillness

Be still… live into a tender surrender because the Lord fights His way to you, fights for you in ways you don’t even know you need.

Attentiveness

Attend to who you say God is, to where you are in relation to Him, and what you really want.

Cruciformity

Surrender, arms wide-open, let yourself be formed cruciform, reaching out to God and people. 

Revelation

How is the Word revealing Himself to you in this moment?

Examine

What are you afraid of?

Doxology

What can you give thanks for right here and now?

She uses this journalling prompt throughout the rest of the book to reflect on tough situations.

Sacrificial Love

Ann’s humility shines through on every page. She gives glory to God through seasons of trial and failure. I felt stirred as I read to pursue Jesus with a deeper ardency. I particularly loved an interchange she shared during a visit to ancient Shiloh, where ancient Israel made sacrifices after entering the promised land. She asked her Messianic Jewish guide:

‘ “Sacrifice–doesn’t mean give up or lay down or go without or let go of?”

“No, no, no…. Sacrifice doesn’t mean that at all. Sacrifice in Hebrew is korban…it literally means to come near, an approach, a moving closer, a move into a closer relationship.”

Sacrifice is not losing something but moving closer to Someone. Sacrifice isn’t about loss – sacrifice is about love. Surrender to love. Sacrifice is about detaching from one thing –to attach to a greater thing. How do I take off my shoes, give up shoes, give all of me to Him? ’

What books have helped you through difficult seasons? Share them with us in the comments!

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From Gentle Streams to Roaring Seas

I once overheard a friend of mine say something so moving to her daughter while on a walk with my own daughter and me. We were all standing among the lush vegetation of a secret green hollow in our neighbourhood which overhung an unseen stream, and she said, “Listen to the water. God speaks to us through the water.”

This resonated with me deeply. When I reflect on my own moments of intimacy with God, they have often occurred in spaces of proximity to the sound of water in some form or another, whether it be listening to the rain while journaling, walking alongside streams on residential greenbelts or sitting on the beach watching and hearing the crashing waves; there is something about the purity of water that inspires prayer and thoughts of God for me, which is in line with scripture as He even describes Himself as ‘the spring of living water.’ (Jeremiah 2:13 NIV).

The other day during my quiet time, I let the thought of water meander long and far, drawing what felt like a truly appropriate portrait of God’s character and how He relates to us. It struck me that as water takes on so many different forms, so does God; just as water is a still and gentle stream as well as a wild and vast ocean, so God is both a whisper of peace and our refuge, as well as a thunderous all-consuming power. To have complete relationship with our Father, we can’t experience Him in one form only. We need to allow ourselves to flow with the current of His will lest we lose out on the full renewal and power that relationship with Him offers.

Gentle Streams: Meeting God in Quiet

‘He leads me beside quiet waters…’ (Psalm 23: 2 NIV).

Jesus said to the woman at the well that whoever drinks the water he gives will never thirst again (John 4: 13-14). I don’t know if you have ever drunk directly from a mountain stream, but my experience of it was that I had never tasted something so wholly invigorating, it certainly felt like it was a thirst-quench with longevity. The first year of my walk in faith was one of the most deeply enriching and meaningful years of my life. I spent so much time on my own with God, sitting, walking and talking with Him, that I truly felt that if I was the only human alive on earth, I would be perfectly content, because I had Him.

Nurturing my personal relationship with God is therefore a big priority in my life, for unless I can experience God alone, I cannot know His deep love for me the individual, as His child and as a small piece of His creation. It is knowledge and constantly reminding myself of this love that fills me, fuels me, and makes me instrumental to the kingdom, because being filled with His love means I can overflow with love, giving to others that love that I have received from the source of all love.

Experiencing the peace of personal intimacy with God means that I am often tempted to avoid community; I have a strong desire to live my spiritual life in private with God alongside the quiet waters. But I know this is not His will for my life. Water naturally flows towards the sea, and so long as that water is constantly moving, it will continue to flow with life and vibrancy. If it collects and becomes stagnant, it loses its vitality and can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other elements that make it unsafe to consume. This is like our relationship with God and therefore our faith when we refuse to flow with the current of His will; we too will become stagnant, and like all stagnant water, we will find that the water is no longer life- giving and may become a breeding ground for unwanted sin.

As we become strengthened by drinking from the quiet stream of our personal relationship with God, we need to surrender to His will as the natural current of water flows towards the sea.

Roaring Seas: Meeting God in Power

The sea is where we encounter God in power, which can be a symbol for corporate worship and community. We cannot belong to His kingdom without being in His kingdom with our fellow believers.

When we pray for each other and lay hands on one another, we see God move. We see God’s justice and mercy demonstrated through outreach ministries, uplifting communities and being a sanctuary for those who live on the fringes of society. We see love displayed through relationship and close counsel, doing life with one another. Alongside this, though we are saints, we are saints being sanctified which means sometimes repressed sin is being brought to the surface and clashing with sin in other believers. But in times of adversity in church, we also see God’s redeeming hand bringing about conciliation and healing.

In these ways, God’s reflection through fellowship is very much like the sea; just as the sea can be turbulent and windswept, it can be perfectly orchestrated and powerful in the majestic waves rising and falling in perfect formation and rhythm.

There is no such thing as a perfect church, and my church is no different. But one vital aspect of my church keeps me firmly rooted in its community, and that is the presence of the Holy Spirit. I often used to think that you need to prime yourself before going to church if you want to experience the presence of God, but there have been times when I’ve arrived at church with a very distracted mindset, either it’s been a rushed morning or I’ve simply been distant from God throughout the week, but in spite of this, I have felt showered by the Holy Spirit merely by being present in the gathering of strong believers. Someone speaks a prayer over the congregation or a powerful moment of worship surges through the room, and I feel the rippling of His divine presence across the entire surface of my body and soul. That’s power in His presence, and it’s made possible through the corporate fellowship and gathering of the Saints.

Where the River meets the Sea

Returning to my quiet time when I reflected on this comparison of God and water, I was sitting just by a small estuary, perfectly positioned to hear both the distant roar of the sea as well as the gentle trickle of the estuary. These two contrasting sounds were existing in harmony with one another, and every so often, the gentle methodical trickle was overlaid by the gentle swoosh of a larger wave reaching its final stretch. Just as the estuary feeds into the sea, so the sea washes over the estuary and fills its banks, giving it more movement and energy.

How similar it is to how we live in community; just as we become part of the fellowship and so feed the kingdom, we are also fed by the kingdom when we need renewed energy. It is a symbiotic relationship, in which at times we will be flowing more powerfully into the kingdom, and other times, the kingdom will be overflowing to us, and it is all living in the fullness of God and His purpose for our lives.

Let us Pray:

Father God, thank you for how you reveal to yourself to us in all forms. Please help us to experience the fullness of your character and love and live a balanced life in personal relationship with you and community. For those of us who want to live hidden away in relationship with you alone, gives us obedience and boldness to serve in community. For those of us who are too busy actively engaging in church and activities that we forget to connect with you alone, please draw us away to a quiet place with you. In Jesus name, Amen.

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If you’ve never read Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer, you need to! This book is a must for anyone who wants to better understand and overcome the battles of life. If it were possible, I’d give the book a ten-star rating.

Joyce understands that most, if not all, of the battles we face in life begin in our minds. She provides scriptures, illustrations, and personal insight on dealing with these battles Biblically. Her personal application of the disciplines she teaches in Battlefield of the Mind gives it an authentic flavor that is a rare find.

What I learned from Battlefield of the Mind

It wasn’t difficult for me to pinpoint weaknesses in my thought life. Joyce’s insights into the scriptures she shared in the book were rich and revealing! I made a list of the scriptures in the chapters that spoke to my situation and began meditating on them during my morning devotions. I found this exercise helpful. Through it, I learned that the Bible is more than just a story to read; it is filled with truth that can change my life if I let it.

I was challenged to change my negative thought patterns and instead focus on God’s promises for my life. This proved difficult because I’ve spent many years stuck in negative thought patterns. However, over time, I have found it better to live with a positive God attitude than with the negative one I was accustomed to.

God’s blessings, I learned, aren’t based on my merit but on what God knows I’m ready to receive. I learned this from her description of the Israelites’ 40-year journey through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. This journey should have taken less than two weeks. Their wandering was caused by their disobedience, not by God’s punishment. This encourages me to take less time trying to figure things out on my own and to trust in God’s plan and guidance. Think less, trust more!

In her down-to-earth manner, Joyce says that “stinkin’ thoughts produce stinkin’ actions.” This is so true! The more I rehearse negative thoughts, the more prone I am to act negatively. It’s a battle to capture those thoughts when they arise, understand they’re lies, and set them aside.

What I took away from Battlefield of the Mind

1. The mind is the main battlefield, not our outer circumstances.
2. The victory is not won all at once; it takes time and discipline.
3. There will be a battle in my mind every day.
4. I must choose to take my negative thoughts captive.
5. I must be aware of my thought life and what I’m thinking about.
6. I can have the mind of Christ if I choose it.
7. To live the life God intends for me to live, I must choose to have God’s mindset.

Who should read Battlefield of the Mind?

I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with negative thoughts. It should be on the bookshelf for reference when dealing with them. I especially recommend it for those who struggle with anxiety, depression, and a poor self-image—this includes most, if not all, of us! I have read “Battlefield of the Mind“ many times. Each time I read it, I am reminded that God’s thoughts for me are much better than my own.

The truths in Battlefield of the Mind are vital for living above the “stinkin’ thinkin’” we are so prone to. I know my life has changed in the years since I read it – and it will continue to change as I keep applying God’s Word daily.

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