God has a way of calling us into places we never expected to go, not to punish us, but to shape us, to stretch us, and to remind us that his perspective is always broader than ours. We see this clearly in the story of Jonah—a prophet called to an enemy city, tasked with delivering a message of repentance to people he wanted nothing to do with.

Nearly three thousand years later, Jonah’s story still speaks to us, reminding us that God calls his people—pretty average people just like you and me—to step into uncomfortable, even challenging, places for the sake of conveying his love to those who don’t yet know him.

Jonah’s call to Nineveh was radical because in those days, prophets usually ministered to their own people, not to enemy nations. But God’s heart has never been limited by borders or divided by political and social tensions. His love extends to all people, even those we might consider unreachable.

God may call us today to engage in conversations that challenge our comfort zones. He may ask us to reach out to people who are different from us, to serve in places where hope seems scarce, or to take risks for the sake of the gospel. None of this is easy, but it’s in these very moments that God often does his best work—in the places we least expect and through people who are willing to say yes.

Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh, as evidenced by his tucking tail and running the other direction from where God had told him to go. His disobedience led to a violent storm that threatened his life and the lives of those around him, placing innocent people in danger. Ultimately, he found himself swallowed by a great fish—not a great place to be. But though Jonah tried to avoid his calling, his purpose wasn’t erased.

Not every storm in life comes from disobedience, but there are times when our struggles arise because we are running from what God has asked us to do. Even when we resist, God continues to pursue us. He doesn’t give up. His grace is relentless, drawing us back to him and the work he has for us.

Through Jonah’s story, we see that God is always a step ahead, even when we try to run. He never stops inviting us into his work, no matter how much we resist. Jonah may have hesitated, but when he finally obeyed, an entire city turned to God. Imagine what could happen if we stopped running and stepped forward in obedience.

Take a moment to reflect:

• What assignment is God giving you that feels risky or uncomfortable?
• Are you running from anything he has called you to do?
• How can you step out in faith this week?

Let’s go where he leads today!

I love being your pastor—

Brady

Life is a series of transitions. Some we see coming. Others hit us like a storm in the night. But in every change, God remains steady, faithful, and true. That’s why the story of Joshua and Caleb isn’t just ancient history—it’s a guide for navigating seasons of loss, leadership, and legacy with courage and trust.

Before Joshua could step into his calling as Israel’s leader, God made something very clear: Moses was gone. That reminder may seem harsh, but it was necessary. Many people get stuck in the present because they haven’t fully dealt with their past. Unprocessed grief, lingering wounds, and unresolved change can keep us from moving forward. God never rushes us through grief, but he does call us to process it well. Mourning isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s evidence that something mattered deeply. So, what does it look like to grieve in a way that allows us to embrace the next season?

First, it means giving yourself permission to feel the loss. Ignoring pain doesn’t make it disappear; it just buries it deeper. Acknowledge it, but don’t camp there. Next, hold onto hope. God never leads us into endings without preparing new beginnings. And finally, process change before you attempt to charge into what’s next. Healing doesn’t happen in a hurry, but it does happen in the hands of a faithful God.

God’s Provision in New Seasons

Israel had spent decades gathering manna off the ground, a daily reminder that God was their provider. But the moment they entered the Promised Land, the manna stopped. No more free meals. Now, they had to work the land. Was God being unfair? Not at all! He was teaching them that provision changes, but his faithfulness does not.

Some of us panic when familiar sources dry up. Maybe it’s a job loss, a transition in relationships, or a shift in how God is working in our lives. But just because provision looks different doesn’t mean God has left us. In fact, growth often requires us to shift from receiving miracles to partnering with God in the work. New seasons demand new trust, and trust is always the foundation of a faith-filled life.

The Role of Older Believers

Caleb was 85 years old when he asked for his next assignment. No retirement plan. No rocking chair. Just a fire in his heart to keep taking ground for God’s kingdom. In a culture obsessed with youth, Caleb stands as a reminder that experience and wisdom are gifts, not expiration dates.

The kingdom of God has never been about sidelines. If you’ve been walking with Jesus for decades, the next generation needs you. Your prayers, your counsel, your presence—they matter. We don’t get to age out of purpose. The church thrives when every generation links arms and moves forward together.

Choosing Whom We Serve

Joshua’s famous challenge—“Choose this day whom you will serve”—wasn’t just for the Israelites. It’s for us, every single day. Because here’s the truth: we all serve something. There are no neutral worshipers. We either devote our lives to God or we let lesser things—success, approval, comfort—steal our allegiance.

Faithfulness isn’t a one-time decision—far from it. It’s a daily choice. And daily choices build the trajectory of a lifetime. So how do we stay focused? By building habits that anchor us—prayer, Scripture, worship, community. By recognizing that distraction is the enemy of devotion. By refusing to let passivity make our choices for us. If we don’t actively choose God, something else will choose us.

What’s Your Next Step?

This week, take a moment to reflect: Have you fully processed past losses, or are they still holding you back? How is God shifting his provision in this season? What territory—literal or spiritual—is he asking you to step into, regardless of your age? And what daily rhythms will keep you anchored in your decision to serve him?

God is faithful in every season. Our job? Keep trusting him, keep moving forward, and keep saying yes to the next thing he has for us.

I love being your pastor—

Brady

When we’re staring down overwhelming challenges, fear has a way of creeping in and taking over. It whispers doubts, feeds insecurities, and paralyzes us from moving forward, which is exactly what happened to the Israelites when they saw Goliath. They forgot how faithful God had been in their past, and in doing so, they lost sight of what he could do in their present.

But then David stepped onto the battlefield—not with fear, but with faith. It’s a story that teaches us what it looks like to face our own giants with courage.

David’s response to Goliath shows us three key principles for overcoming fear that I hope you’ll meditate on this week:

First, we must remember the stories of yesterday. When David stood before Goliath, he didn’t focus on the size of the giant—he focused on the faithfulness of God. He remembered the moments when God had helped him defeat lions and bears while shepherding. Those past victories strengthened his confidence for the battle ahead.

The same is true for us.

When fear tries to take hold, we need to look back and recall all the times God has carried us through. His faithfulness before is a reminder that he will be faithful again.

Second, we need to be ourselves. When Saul tried to put his own armor on David, David quickly realized it wasn’t meant for him. He knew that to fight effectively, he had to step into battle as the person God created him to be!

How often do we try to tackle challenges by imitating someone else, thinking we need to be different than who God made us? But the truth is, God has uniquely equipped each of us for the battles we face. We don’t have to pretend to be anyone else. We just need to walk forward in the confidence that who we are is enough in God’s hands.

Finally, we must remember that the battle belongs to God. This is so key: David didn’t rely on his own strength—he stepped forward “in the name of the Lord Almighty.” He knew this fight wasn’t just about him; it was God’s fight. Too often, we either take on battles that were never meant for us or we try to fight them alone. Neither approach leads to victory. Instead, we’re called to surrender our fears and struggles to God, trusting that he is already working on our behalf.

So, what does all this mean for us today? The “Goliaths” in our lives may not be a literal giant on a battlefield, but they still loom large. Fear shows up in so many ways—through health challenges, relationship struggles, financial burdens, or career uncertainties. You probably have a few Goliaths stomping around right now, giants who whisper that you’re not strong enough, not equipped enough, not good enough. But you don’t have to shrink back in fear. You can step forward with faith, knowing that God goes before us.

Take time this week to identify your own “Goliath.” What fear or challenge is standing in front of you? Then, take these steps to move forward with faith:

• Write down moments when God has been faithful in your past. Let those reminders strengthen your confidence for today.
• Face your challenge as the person God created you to be. Don’t try to wear someone else’s armor—walk forward in the gifts, strengths, and identity he’s given you.
• Invite God into the fight. Through prayer, surrender the battle to him and trust that he is working on your behalf.

And as you do this, reflect on these questions:

• What battle am I trying to fight without God’s help?
• Am I being authentic, or am I trying to be someone I’m not?
• What past victories can I remember to build my faith?

Here’s the beautiful thing: courage is contagious. When you step forward in faith, you give others the strength to do the same. So today, let’s be people who trust God, stand firm in who he’s created us to be, and walk into every battle knowing that the victory belongs to him.

I love being your pastor—

Brady