This past Sunday, as our church reflected on Jesus’ call to “Go the Second Mile” from Matthew 5:38–42, our pastor reminded us that Kingdom people resist evil not through retaliation, but through redemptive generosity—choosing to overcome evil with good. As the sermon closed, we were challenged to “go the second mile” — a call that deserves careful reflection.

Even as this message was being preached, my mind was drawn to a story I had heard a few months earlier from a dear brother in Christ – a story that tied in so well to the sermon. This story is not a headline-making account of faith tested by extraordinary evil. It is quiet and humbling, lived out in the ordinary rhythms of work and life—where the rubber of faith often meets the road.

It begins with a dear brother in Christ who had grown up in a Christian home and in the church, yet had rejected the Lord, walking in open rebellion. By the time my husband Jeff and I sat down with him for a shared meal, he had been walking with the Lord for several months—still a baby Christian, but one hungry to grow.

During our conversation, he shared a situation he had recently faced at work. After transferring to a different location within his company, he was temporarily sent back to his former workplace to cover a staff shortage. It didn’t take long for conflict to arise. His previous boss had always been difficult, and their relationship had been marked by regular tension. And this tension carried real implications for his reputation and credibility.

But something was different now. With the transforming work of Christ alive in his life, he was able to humbly engage with her.

In this conflict, she accused him of bookkeeping errors he was confident he had not made and could easily disprove. But as he sat across from her, her brokenness and lostness overwhelmed him. As she lashed out, he chose not to retaliate, not to escalate the situation, or defend himself. Instead, he extended grace and absorbed the cost — laying down his right to be proven right or to protect his reputation.

When I asked how he could respond this way, he said simply, “She needed a win that day more than I did.” In that moment, he understood something many of us struggle to live out: he really didn’t need to win.

His response, and the reason behind it, was clearly shaped by the Gospel and stood as evidence of God’s grace at work in his life. His decision wasn’t due to passivity or fear. It was a Spirit-led choice to absorb a cost for love’s sake.

I think we all know what it’s like to fight to be understood, to defend our reputations and to vindicate ourselves. On hearing his response, I was brought to tears. Not only was I grateful for the privilege of watching the Lord actively reshape his life, I was convicted about my own. 

His story brought Philippians 2: 3-4 to mind, a passage where we are called to do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit but, in humility, to consider others better than ourselves. That command is enough to stop us in our tracks, rubbing up against our fleshly tendencies. 

But as the passage goes on, the intensity increases, as Paul calls the church to have the mind of Christ Jesus and then gives us the humbling picture of Jesus’ life on this earth.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ 

Paul sets Jesus, not only as our Savior, but as our example. Though fully God, He didn’t cling to His power or status. Instead, He chose to humble Himself, living, as a servant, willingly obedient to God to the point of death on a cross.  

The fact that He did this for our redemption should humble and convict us, and then lead us to awestruck worship of our Lord.

And the story doesn’t end there. We know that on the third day, He rose again, proving victorious over sin and even death itself. Through all this, He has been exalted and a day is coming when every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.

And let’s remember that my friend was right—he didn’t need the win that day with his boss.

And we don’t need the win either.

For this reason: Christ has already won.

And by His grace, those who bow before Christ before that day are heirs with Him. His victory has secured our eternal destiny—a future in which we will rule and reign with Him in the new heaven and new earth.

So let’s make it our practice to remember our inheritance in Christ and that, because we have been given everything, we are free to live generously—extending grace and forgiveness, giving our time and resources, and offering kindness, encouragement, and more.

In Christ, our identity is secure. Our value is found in Him—not in any win or loss this world can hand us.

And that is what frees us to go the second mile—because He has already won.

As I woke up this January 1st and pondered the year ahead, these glorious and comforting words came to mind.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭7‬ ‭

I noticed how every promise here comes from God’s action, not ours. 

He is the One who showed us mercy and caused us to be born again. He gives us hope. He keeps our inheritance secure. He guards us and He refines us through trials. 

I want to live in a way that reflects His power and goodness as seen in the promises of this passage. 

This year,  rather than making resolutions, which often end up as promises I try to keep through my own strength—I want to turn these verses into prayers, asking God to work in me what only He can accomplish.

So instead of resolutions, I am praying for the Lord to…..

• Help me remember, with awe-struck praise, the Lord’s mercy and salvation brought to me through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
• Transform me so that my life reveals, in increasing ways, the true, and abundant life He has given me.
• Give me grace, in both big and small trials, to cling to the hope of the Gospel.
• Deepen my confidence in the security of my eternal inheritance, knowing that He is keeping it and guarding me until the day my faith becomes glorious sight.
• Sustain me through trials with the confidence that He is using them to strengthen my faith and bring glory to His name.

This year, my goal is to, more and more often, choose God-dependence over self-determination, needy prayer over hasty promises, and abiding in Christ over striving in my own strength.

What about you? 

What Scripture are you praying to inform your year? 

We would love for you to share them!

According to my calendar, it’s almost Christmas, the season of joy, the most wonderful time in the world.

But, over this past week, my heart has been saying something else. 

The voices I heard said, “You’re behind!” “You need to catch up!” and the constant reminder, “Don’t let anyone down!”

I feel a bit of this every December, but this year over the past 6 weeks, I’ve spent more nights living out of a suitcase than sleeping in my bed and, returning home in the midst of the Christmas season has left me feeling like I’m failing in every area that matters and in many that don’t.

A season that should be marked by a celebration of Christ has been overwhelmed with expectations that I have put on myself – expectations, many of which, even if executed perfectly, won’t live past December. 

I’ve been scattered, stressed and anxious.

But, over the past few days, the Lord has been reminding me that the cure for my busy and anxious heart is worship.

This journey began on Wednesday as I sat down for my time with the Lord in His Word. 

With a mind full of scattered tasks, I could not focus. 

I prayed and tried to continue, but the words on the page seemed to bypass my brain. And my concentration in prayer was absent. My mind was busy – every thought interrupted with a reminder of something to do. 

But, then I sensed a nudge to return to a familiar passage and to a faithful study guide on the book of 1 Peter. As I began to read, I was reminded of God’s goodness to me and of the eternal hope I have in Christ Jesus.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭

The fog began to fade as I recalled God’s great mercy shown to me personally in the Gospel. And as I remembered His work, contemplated His secure plans for my future, I was reminded that the Sovereign Lord of all things is guarding me til glory. 

A short time later, I arrived at my church’s staff meeting which always opens with an extended time of quiet prayer. My pastor pointed us to Isaiah 9 to inform our prayers that day.

Verse 6 leapt off the page. The Lord reminded me, not only of what He has done, but of who He is. 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ 

The soothing balm of God’s Word overwhelmed my soul. 

He is the Wonderful Counselor – the source of all true wisdom and perfect guidance. I can hear from Him. 

He is the Mighty God – the One who is all powerful and who accomplishes all that He promises. I can lean on His strength. 

He is the Everlasting Father – the eternal Father who loves, provides and protects His children. I don’t have to worry – He provides and cares for me. 

He is the Prince of Peace – the only One who brings true shalom, wholeness, reconciliation and restoration. He longs to bring peace to my chaos. 

My burden seemed to lift for several hours but, upon returning home, the To-do list began to build in my mind again and I entered a familiar state where I am keenly aware of all that needs to be done yet seemingly paralyzed to do any of it. 

The words from Psalm 46, which I had studied the previous week, came to mind. This time the Lord invited me, not just to remember or reflect, but to rest. 

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ 

I decided to go for a walk, to put in earbuds and to queue up some favorite worship songs with a commitment to let the richness of the words fill my mind and soul. 

I’m not going to lie – it was a struggle. I had to re-start several songs to honor the commitment to focus. 

Eventually, although my feet were moving, my heart was still. 

Once again, the Lord met me, in my weakness. I began to see that all my scrambling for things that will not matter for eternity led me to neglect the One who holds that eternity in His hands. Worship was not a task to complete, it was the cure for my anxious heart. 

The following day was full yet, by His grace, I was able to embrace it without significant worry or stress.

That evening,  the Lord had graciously ordained that our church, along with Freeway ministries, would gather for a night of worship. This gift overwhelmed me! It felt like grace upon grace from a God who knows exactly what I need. It was a sweet and powerful night!

I wish I could tell you that the struggle was over – that those couple of days changed everything forever..

But, the to-do list is still long and, at times, feels impossible. But, something has shifted. 

When the anxiety creeps in, I am quicker to recognize where my thoughts need to go. I ask the Lord for stillness. 

I call to mind His strength as my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.

I remember what He has done for me and I am able to worship Him in the middle of the chaos. 

I am learning that the simplest answer to my deepest need is found in the lyrics of a song we love to sing at Christmas:

O Come Let Us Adore Him. 

I hope you’ll join me in seeking to worship of King Jesus in the moments of the season – even the ones that feel chaotic. 

O’ Come Let Us Adore Him

We live in a prideful world. Scroll through social media or spend time with people and it’s obvious—we all want to be right, to be heard, and to have things go our way. Our culture tells us to stand tall, put ourselves first, and make life about us.

But Scripture tells us something very different. It exposes pride for what it is. Pride makes us feel strong for a moment, but it ultimately makes us weak. It poisons relationships, distances us from God, and leaves us guilty and empty. CJ. Mahaney says it well: “Pride is our greatest enemy and humility is our best friend.” His book, Humility:True Greatness shaped me deeply this year as I studied humility—especially Philippians 2:1–11, one of the most humbling passages in the Bible.

So here’s what I want us to see: the peril of pride, the priority of humility, the pattern of humility in Jesus, and some practical ways that we can, by God’s grace, grow in humility.

The Peril of Pride

Proverbs warns us 16:18 warns us,
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” 

Pride shows up in countless ways. It tells us to live for ourselves rather than in loving service to others. It drives us to chase pleasure, status, or approval instead of God’s glory. It makes us critical, afraid to show weakness, and resistant to correction.

John Stott once said, “Pride is the essence of all sin.” Pride is self-glorification—my way, not God’s way. That’s why it’s so dangerous.

The Priority of Humility

If pride destroys, humility restores.

Proverbs 22:4 encourages us,
“The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.”

According to C.S. Lewis, humility isn’t thinking less of yourself—it’s thinking of yourself less. CJ. Mahaney defines humility as honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness. It keeps us honest before God instead of comparing ourselves to others.

And humility is the place where God pours out His grace. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Mahaney points out that God is personally supportive of the humble. Humility positions us to receive His help, to receive more of His glorious grace. 

Pride clenches the fists. Humility opens the hands.

We need humility to come to Christ in the first place—“Blessed are the poor in spirit”—and we need humility to grow in Christ. Pride resists correction, resists obedience, and resists dependence. Humility makes fellowship, repentance, and growth possible.

The Pattern of Christ

Philippians 2:1–11 gives us the clearest picture of humility. If you have not read these words recently, I’ve included them here to read and, perhaps, commit them to memory. 

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭11‬ ‭

The picture of Jesus seen here gives us the most powerful picture of humility. 

Though Jesus was fully God, He didn’t cling to His rights. He emptied Himself—not of His divinity, but of His privileges. He took the form of a servant. He became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.

And because He humbled Himself, God exalted Him. In this, Jesus redefines greatness. 

The way down is the way up.

Proverbs 29:23 says,
“One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”

Humility before honor—that’s the pattern of Christ.

Practicing Humility

I think we all can admit, humility doesn’t come naturally. The Lord grows it in us through time in His Word, prayer, and simple daily practices.

Here’s a few. 

• Start your day with gratitude and acknowledging your dependence on God, seeking His help, strength and wisdom. 
• Begin the day in the Word, in prayer, and ask the Lord to give you a truth from His Word to hold onto through your day. This will help stifle the endless, often unhelpful, self-talk that is often willing to occupy the void. 
• End your day with thanksgiving and confession, remembering that even sleep reminds us we’re not self-sufficient. Let that humble you and encourage your heart to praise God.
• Reflect often on the cross and on Gospel – the depths of which we cannot plumb.
• Study who God is, learn about His attributes.
• Do things you’re not good at and laugh at yourself. 
• Celebrate God’s work in others. 
• Confess sin regularly. 
• Invite correction, especially from those who know you well.
• And in suffering, lean on the Lord, asking Him to use your trials to make you more like Christ.

Growing in humility is a lifelong battle. And, while these practices can be an active step for each of us, ultimately our growth in humility comes from the Lord by His grace.And strangely, the more we grow in humility, the more of our hidden pride we are able to see. Recently, the Lord allowed me to see a picture of this reality in, of all places, a kale salad.

A Picture of God’s Grace

I make a kale salad almost every week, often purchasing the kale in bags of pre-cut leaves. I’ve noticed, though, that these leaves often have tough little stems hiding in the centers of the tasty leaves. So, after removing what I think is all of the pesky stems,  I typically pour on the dressing and start massaging it into the “stemless” kale leaves. 

But, something interesting always happens: as the kale becomes softer, more tender—there are many more hard hidden stems that suddenly stand out.

And I realized—that’s what God’s grace does in our lives as He humbles us. It is by His grace that we grow in humility and as we grow in knowing Him in and in receiving that grace, we are humbled – we become softer like the kale leaves. Our tightly closed hands begin to be more open to the Lord’s guidance, to His correction, and to the goodness of His ways.

But at the same time, His grace reveals more of what was hidden—the pride, the hard spots still hiding behind our masks, the sins we didn’t even notice before. 

So, what’s the point? God’s grace, as it humbles us, softens us and encourages us as we see His work growing us,  but it also exposes us, showing us those areas that still need to be surrendered to Him.

The truth is….we need His softening, exposing, transforming grace every single day.

In closing, let’s review where we’ve been.

We have seen the peril of pride, our greatest enemy. We’ve seen the priority of humility, our best friend. We’ve seen the pattern of Christ, our perfect example in this. And, we have seen some ways we can practice this humility as the Lord works in us.

So, let’s ask ourselves…

Where is pride alive in my heart?  Will I confess it to the Lord and others as needed?

In what ways is God calling me to practice humility today? Will I commit to pray for His help?

I know that He delights to answer that prayer for us.

“The fruit of the Spirit is not something you can produce by yourself. You cannot grit your teeth and produce self-control. It is the work of the Spirit as you behold Christ.” John Piper

Self-control has been called the climactic Fruit of the Spirit. It reflects a life oriented toward Christ and empowered by His Spirit—a life that puts Christ and others before self.

The world tells us to follow our hearts, but apart from Christ, that is a dangerous path. Only through the transforming power of the One who conquered sin and death can we grow in our ability to say no to sin and self, and yes to the Lord.

Let us not see self-control as mere willpower, but as the Spirit’s work in a surrendered heart. We cannot fight this battle in our own strength. Christ calls us to abide in Him, to behold His glory, and to walk by His Spirit. Only there can we grow in the Fruit of the Spirit as He shapes our lives to reflect His.

May we press into Him—bearing His fruit and bringing Him much glory.

Scriptures for Reflection

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:6-7

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:16-17

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:14

Suggested Song: Take My Life and Let it Be

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“It is God’s making himself little, which is the cause of our being made great.” 

Charles Spurgeon

As we consider the immeasurable, infinite power of the Almighty God, we might be surprised by His gentleness. Yet Scripture speaks of the Lord as our Good Shepherd, who gently leads, nurtures, and restores us with loving care. He restrains His might in our sin and humbly offers us grace.

This is most clearly seen in the life of our Lord Jesus, who—though He did not cling to His divine privilege—humbled Himself as a servant, obedient to the point of death, that we might be redeemed and made heirs with Him.

Each of us has been given the ability to wield power through words, actions, and choices that impact the lives of others. But when we walk in the gentleness given to us by the Spirit of Christ, we reflect the heart of our Savior—who laid aside His glory and made Himself low, that we might be lifted up, restored, and brought near to Him.

Scriptures for reflection

Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:10-11 

He restores my soul.You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. Psalm 18:35

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 

For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. Luke 22:27

Suggested Song: Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling

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