Devotions

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Breaking the Habit of Isolation
February 18, 2025
by Kelley Brown

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts …” Acts 2:46 (NIV)

I like to think of myself as a thoughtful person. I often compose messages in my mind or plan kind gestures but I don’t always follow through. Distraction is often to blame, as I get caught up in the busyness of life or sidetracked by other tasks, and those thoughtful intentions slip away before I act on them.  In today’s fast-paced world, the demands of daily life can make meaningful connections with others seem like a luxury rather than a priority. When we’re overwhelmed by to-do lists and commitments, carving out time for community can feel like one more thing to manage. As a result, isolation can creep into our lives.  We may convince ourselves that we’re too tired, busy or introverted (my No. 1 excuse) to reach out to others. But the truth is that God designed us for connection. When we try to navigate life on our own, we miss out on the joy and depth God gives us in relationships. We were never meant to carry our burdens or celebrate our joys alone.  God’s Word reminds us of the beauty and importance of community. In Acts 2:46, we catch a glimpse of early Christians living out their faith together with joy and shared purpose: “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”

Isolation may feel easier at the moment, but it’s not sustainable or fulfilling. Community is a gift. Together, we find support, accountability and opportunities to grow in our faith.  Like the early Church, we thrive when we gather to share meals, worship together, and support one another when life gets hard. There’s a unique joy that comes from opening our hearts and homes to others, even when it feels vulnerable or inconvenient.  I get it building a community takes effort. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, prioritize relationships, and be intentional with our time. Maybe you’ve been hurt in the past, or you fear rejection. Perhaps life feels too chaotic to add another commitment. Or the circumstances don’t seem right. Yet God calls us to community not for perfection but for connection. He knows we’re stronger together.  Take a moment to reflect: Where are there opportunities to invite someone into your life?

Could you join a small group at church, host a coffee date, or check in with a friend?

It doesn’t have to be elaborate; a simple act of kindness can open the door to meaningful connection.  In the hustle and bustle of life, carving out time for community isn’t just about needing others but about living the way God designed us to live: together.

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Unstuck and Unstoppable
February 24, 2025
by Brittany Maher

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:3 (ESV)

Can I be honest with you?

For a long time, I felt spiritually stuck newly married in a new state, disconnected from friends and hiding to protect myself from fear and failure. I convinced myself that staying small and unseen would protect me from fear, failure and the unknown.  But staying stuck doesn’t keep us safe. It keeps us from participating in the prosperous life God has prepared for us.  Hiding only deepened the ache in my heart. My days of retreating from purpose left me feeling disconnected, inadequate and uncertain. It was like pressing “pause” on my own life. I was paralyzed by the fear of not being enough, of not measuring up.  Amid my struggle, I was drawn to Elijah’s story in Scripture in 1 Kings 19. After a powerful moment with God at Mount Carmel, Elijah fearfully fled to a cave. That hiding place became his refuge but also his prison. Yet God met Elijah in that cave, and in His gentle love, He did the same for me.  God didn’t let my stuck season go to waste. Slowly, He reminded me that He didn’t design me to stay stagnant. He created me to grow, participate and live fully in step with Him. He stirred a longing in my heart to seek Him with fresh intention. But change didn’t happen overnight. It happened through small, faithful, steady steps choices to seek Him daily, to pursue community and to surrender my fears.  Procrastination, overthinking and clinging to comfort can keep us stuck. But God offers a way out of every stagnant place. He wants us to thrive even in the most challenging seasons, like a tree planted by streams of water:  “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:3).

The key?

Faith and diligence. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “He rewards those who diligently search for him” (ISV).

As we intentionally pursue Him, He meets us with faithfulness, strength and direction.  God sees you in your stuck place. He’s gently inviting you to step out of that cave and into the life He’s calling you to. Start small. Ask Him to help you take one step closer to Him and then another.  As we root ourselves in Him through time in His Word and His presence, He strengthens us to flourish. He turns our stuck places into unstoppable purpose for His glory and our good. And that’s the life He has for you.