Casandra Martin

I could barely open the door. My arms were full and I couldn’t reach the handle. Trying to balance bags, Sunday School curriculum, Bibles, my purse, and a package, I made my way into the room and dumped everything on the counter before it could fall out of my hands. It was Sunday morning after worship, and I breathed a sigh of relief that I had made it that far without spilling everything on the floor. Laughing, I looked around at the other people in the room and said, “I didn’t come into church with my arms this full.”

It didn’t take but just a moment for the significance of the object lesson to sink in. I stared at my pile, smiling at the way God teaches me through burdens and my own clumsiness. I had walked into the building with my arms empty. I was leaving my time with God’s people with my arms full. Come in empty; leave full. Isn’t that the essence of worship?

The world depletes us. It saps our energy, drains our joy, diminishes our peace, and dulls our sense of wonder. Worship reignites our passion. It refocuses our vision, strengthens our determination, infuses grace into our struggles, and drenches us in glory.

Each piece of worship is designed to fill the emptiness of the world with the fullness of God’s presence. Singing pushes out the empty echoes and fills us with praise for His name. Prayer acknowledges our deep need and helps us seek the fullness of His purpose. The Lord’s Supper calls us to be overwhelmed by the nearness of His presence, the love of His sacrifice, and the amazing privileges of being His child. Giving challenges us to pour out what we settle for so that He can fill us with His immeasurably more. Engaging in the Word unleashes God’s promises and fuels transformation.

My Jesus Resolution today is to celebrate the way God fills me in worship. I am going to pay attention to my own deep need for grace and watch in wonder as He takes the empty, broken pieces of who I am and fills them with Himself. Worship is meant to be the fuel that powers my movement through my days. Running low on worship means that I can’t get where He wants me to go. Today I want to remember that every time my heart gets close to “E”, the answer is to enter His presence in worship and allow Him to fill me up.

He doesn’t look like a faith hero. He doesn’t have a flowing beard, hold a staff in his hand, or hear God’s voice through a burning bush. He hasn’t preached to thousands, walked through the desert, or spent the night in the lion’s den. He is ordinary. He is a regular guy who took a stand for faith and showed me Jesus.

My faith hero stood in a quiet moment, counted the cost, and said, “No. That doesn’t look like Jesus.” Nobody will make a movie about his actions. His words won’t make headlines. The world will shrug and move on. But for just a moment I got to see the true face of courage, witness faith shine in the darkness, and be humbled by the holy privilege of watching what it means to really live out The Jesus Resolution.

We sometimes think that heroes always wear capes and have super powers. Their actions are defined by extraordinary feats of strength and mind-bending moments of magnificent skill. True heroes look like you and me. They inspire us, reminding us of who we are and who we can be. They quietly live out their convictions. They walk through difficult moments remaining true to their identity in Christ. They teach us that “deny yourself” sometimes hurts, but is always worth it. In simple ways and quiet movements, they point us over and over to the cross.

My Jesus Resolution today is to be like my faith hero. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Here is why God puts faith heroes in our lives. They give us a living, breathing picture of what it means to follow Jesus. They let us see transformation in action, grace at work, and faith in motion. Thanks, faith hero, for reminding me that a crown of life is way cooler than a cape and the world’s applause.

I smiled. I couldn’t help it. Everywhere I looked, there was a sign. They were in the bathroom, the kitchen, the hallway, by the doors, and on the light switches. There was one on the ice machine, on the office door, and by the entryway. Every sign said the same thing – Jesus is the Answer.

As part of our discipleship challenge this week, our preacher encouraged everyone to make a Jesus is the Answer sign and put it some place that would remind us of the certainty that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In the midst of life’s struggles, fears, decisions, and challenges, we all need a reminder of where to look and Who to turn to.

Two days later, the sign was everywhere. I couldn’t turn the corner, flip on a light, wash my hands, or get a drink of water without seeing a reminder that Jesus is the Answer. It was such a blessing. Sometimes my heart is slow to remember to go to Jesus first.

Having those words by the kitchen sink reminded me that Jesus washes away my sin, taking care of my mess and making everything new. Seeing His name by the ice machine made me thirst for the Living Water as I filled my glass. Posted on the mirror, the words reminded me to look at myself and others with the eyes of Jesus. Glancing at the note every time I walked through the door reminded me that by Jesus I enter into the presence of the Father. Every time I went to the light switch, I had to touch the words and engrave them once again on my heart.

My Jesus Resolution today is to be thankful that Jesus is the Everywhere Answer. It doesn’t matter where I am, what I am doing, who I am with, or what time it is – Jesus is the Answer. His life is my example. His words are my guide. His presence is my joy. His blood is my salvation. His love is my lifeline. Too often I settle for writing that answer in one place. Someone with more vision knew I needed to see it over and over. Jesus is the Answer – every time, for everyone, everywhere.

I stood by the closet door shaking my head. The pile of laundry in the closet stared back at me. Pants, socks, and shirts lay wadded together in a mess. I went to go find my son.

Earlier in the day, I asked my son to bring his laundry downstairs. I waited, and no dirty clothes appeared. Meager piles of darks and lights lay on the floor. I was sure there were companions hiding upstairs in the closet.

My son assured me that he had no laundry. Not one dirty sock? No stained shirt, slept-in pajamas, or stinky shorts? No, he assured me. It was all clean.

I rolled my eyes, knowing better. I had actually seen him wear clothes over the last three days, so I knew that some things had to be less than pristine. That is when I opened the closet door, and found myself staring at a picture of my heart.

The pile of laundry reminded me of the heap of sin I let accumulate in my soul. How many times do I try to convince God that I have no messes? I try to shove it behind the door, and pretend it doesn’t exist. Maybe I acknowledge a little bit of the dirt, but minimize its significance or the extent of the stain. I attempt to organize the mess, make the guilt and shame look presentable, and let the pile grow in the background.

Jesus knows better. He invites us to bring Him our deep stains and sinful stench. He is willing to make everything new, clean, whole, and fresh. His blood is the cleansing agent that has the power to remove every trace of sin.

My Jesus Resolution today is to bring Jesus my dirty laundry – all of it. Jesus wants to wash every part of me in His blood. He longs to replace my soiled, stained clothing with garments of grace. He wants to trade the stink of sin for the aroma of His presence. But I have to bring it to Him. I have to put it in His hands. When I do, He will go to work, transforming my pile of stains into opportunities for praise and thanksgiving.

One of the most specific goals that we have as parents is to raise servants. It is our deep desire that our children learn the beauty, sacrifice, obedience, blessing, and joy of what it means to imitate the One who came to reveal the servant-heart of God.

This week I realized that we may have missed an important piece in the process of helping to shape servant-hearts.

When talking about service, there are always two sides to the coin – there is the one who offers the service and the one who receives the service. Jesus knew how to do both well. He didn’t come to be served, but He graciously received the service of others. He ate meals cooked for Him, accepted gifts given to Him, and allowed others to meet His needs. Tears washed His feet, perfume scenting His spot at the table as He opened Himself up to be cried upon and cared for.

Perhaps part of the key to being a servant is knowing how to graciously receive service. Jesus always accepted these heart gifts with gentleness and transparency. He never pouted about sitting at the table, rather than being in the kitchen. He didn’t shoo people away, mumbling that He could handle it Himself. Thankfulness defined His heart as He acknowledged the God-movement behind the acts of service offered to Him.

Most of us are comfortable being on the giving side of service. It is the receiving end that gives us trouble. We are uncomfortable with being served. We don’t like others seeing us in anything but a position of control and responsibility. We dismiss opportunities to be dependent, vulnerable, or transparent. It takes humility and grace to receive the blessing of service. Perhaps learning how to receive service would make us better servants.

My Jesus Resolution today is to imitate Jesus in the way He accepted the service of others. His gentle example of how to be on the receiving end of service is a quiet thread that runs through the Gospels. Learning the grace of receiving service has the power to open my eyes and soften my heart. I treat others differently when I take turns standing in their shoes. If I am going to raise servants, I need to teach them the blessing of looking like Jesus no matter which side of service they find themselves on.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

It is Monday morning. We can frown at that statement, look at the week’s long-to-do list, put our heads down, and hope for Friday. Or we can see this day for what it truly is – a gift from God. Today is a chance to start the week with praise. You have a chance to meet this week with your eyes open to His presence and your heart ready for His grace.

Here are ten reasons to smile on a Monday.

1. Jesus loves you – without limit, without condition, without end.

2. You are forgiven, new, clean, and whole – right now – because of the blood of Jesus.

3. You will meet God today. Keep your eyes open!

4. The cross has the power to take what is ugly and broken and make it beautiful.

5. Prayer works. It unleashes heaven’s glory into your circumstances and your heart.

6. The tomb is still empty.

7. Transformation is always possible.

8. Heaven is real.

9. God is present, in control, and at work all around you.

10. All of God’s promises find their “YES!” in Jesus.

My Jesus Resolution today is to smile – all day, every chance I get. The world may complain about the fact that it is Monday, but God has made this a day for rejoicing. Look at what God has already poured into this day – irresistible love, amazing grace, unlimited power, infinite possibilities, and reassuring presence – and it is only Monday! If the week starts off this way, imagine what tomorrow is going to bring! Smile!!

We sat in the airport in the wee hours of the morning. His flight had been delayed. We anxiously checked our phones waiting for word that he was finally home.

Our son has been gone for several months. Blessed with the opportunity to study abroad, he soaked in all of the lessons that come from seeing life from a different perspective. Language, history, art, and economics all took on richer, deeper hues as he experienced life outside of his comfort zone. Through it all, he met God around every turn. He saw Him in the haunted hunger of desperate refugees, felt Him in the zeal of persecuted Christians,  heard Him in hymns sung in a foreign tongue, and experienced His Oneness as he gathered around the communion table with brothers and sisters from other lands.

Through all of these moments, one thing permeated his trip. Coming home day. The truth that this was temporary, a reality to be explored and enjoyed for a short time, shaped every step he took. He slept, ate, played, learned, grew, loved, enjoyed, and experienced everything life offered there, but he always knew home was somewhere else.

C.S. Lewis once said, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

My Jesus Resolution today is to remember that I am made for another world. As the song says, “This world is not my home. I’m just a passin’ through.” I want to soak in all of the blessings and lessons that God has for me in this place. I long to see Him around every corner and meet Him in the people and experiences He plants in my way. I also want to remember that, as wonderful, startling, amazing, and beautiful as this all is, it is all temporary. Coming home day is coming. I am going to let that truth set my perspective, priorities, and purpose. I belong in another world, and I can’t wait to go home.

She had tears in her eyes. The last few months have been difficult ones. Changes within the inevitable ebb and flow of life have left her struggling and feeling alone. In the middle of a crowded room, she held my hands and poured out the ache of loneliness that seems to be swallowing her heart. People swirled around us, not recognizing the hungering need for friendship reflected in her eyes.

Loneliness hurts. It makes our hearts squeeze small, and amplifies the echo in our souls. Loneliness has the power to twist our perspective, rub against our joy, and rob us of our confidence. We all struggle with it. Every person you meet today has been touched by it. Some have deep scars. Others are wrestling in its grip right now. Each of us knows its pain.

Satan tries to tell us that we are alone in our aloneness. He says that our loneliness is a fault, a character flaw, a result of our unworthiness, and something about which we should be ashamed. If we were – prettier, smarter, thinner, wealthier, funnier, more educated, more successful, less successful, holier, wiser – something other than who we are, we wouldn’t be lonely. But remember who is talking. (John 8:44)

God said that it is not good for man to be alone. Loneliness is not a mark of shame, but a signpost of the intent of our Maker. We have been created in His image, and that image reflects the truth that our God is a God of community and connection. One of the most foundational promises that He gives us is His assurance that He “will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) A great cloud of witnesses also surrounds us, reminding us that we are not alone in the battle against loneliness. Elijah tried to throw in the towel because of it. David cried out in painful song because of it. Jesus struggled in the garden because of it.

My Jesus Resolution today is to ask God to open my eyes to loneliness – my own and someone else’s. My tendency is to wall off my loneliness and hide behind a façade of having-it-all-together. Instead, I am going to ask God to inhabit my loneliness, making me more aware of His presence, and helping me see past the boundaries I set up to protect my heart. I want to recognize the familiar ache in someone else’s eyes and respond with gentleness. Loneliness is real, but it doesn’t have to define our reality. God is here. So am I.

“You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:5

We live in a world that seems to thrive on change. Whatever is new makes the headlines. Whatever is the latest is pronounced the greatest. Bigger, newer, faster, and shinier grabs our attention and invites us into a dizzying world without anchors or foundation.

While some things may work best guided by innovation and invention, our souls were meant for the permanence of His presence. Peter uses an amazing picture to describe what Christ wants to build in our lives. He calls us Living Stones. Connected to the Cornerstone of the cross, we are being built together to rise as a spiritual house for His name. Slowly and surely, He is transforming us for His glory.

The world, however, constantly tugs at us to choose slick over solid, fashionable over faithful, and convenience over commitment. Every day, we have to choose whether to move according to the rhythm of His grace or to follow the beat of the world’s drums.

Growing a Living Stone kind of faith doesn’t happen by accident. We don’t stumble into spiritual growth by chance. This kind of rock-solid faith is built when we make deliberate moves toward Christlikeness. Transformation begins with allowing God to reset our priorities, realign our attitudes, and restore our sense of wonder. He promises to teach us how to live with Living Stone faith in a world that has decided that a veneer of godliness is good enough.

My Jesus Resolution today is to sit on a rock. I want to see myself in its shape and understand how God wants to form my faith. I am not meant to live a spun-around, disoriented, dizzied, unsettled kind of life. God gives me peace that is grounded in the certainty of His nearness, joy anchored in the surety of His faithfulness, and hope fixed in the power of His unfailing love.

I am excited to tell you that my newest Women Opening the Word Bible study is now available. Living Stones encourages us to dive deeply into the spiritual practices that build vibrant, rock-solid faith. Explore what it means to be a Living Stone and how God wants to fill you with Himself. Check out the WOW Books section of my website – http://casandramartin.com – for more information!

More lessons from camp. Another dirty foot. More tears rolling down sun-kissed cheeks. This time the culprit was a splinter. The thin fragment of wood jabbed its way into her foot, disrupting more than her skip. It punctured her smile and deflated her happy spirit.

I cleaned off her foot and sat down to take a good look. It was a dandy of a splinter. I got out the tweezers and told her what I was going to need to do to remove it. Her eyes asked a thousand questions as the possibilities unfolded themselves in her mind. The splinter hurt, but would removing it hurt more? Was it worth it? Could we just leave it alone? Maybe it wasn’t so bad.

Her face reflected the one I too often see in the mirror. I have splinters all the time. Pieces of pride, slivers of selfishness, and splinters of sin embed themselves in my heart. They hurt, wounding my peace, disrupting my joy, causing me to limp into the presence of Jesus. He looks at what pierces my soul and tells me what needs to be done to make me whole again. And my eyes ask the same questions as the young girl with her foot in my lap. I weigh the familiar pain against the transformation He offers.

I tell the girl that we need to get the splinter out. Left in her foot, it will fester and become infected. A couple of minutes of discomfort now will send her on her way to being able to run, jump, and play. If we don’t take care of it today, things will be harder tomorrow.

She slowly nods okay. We tell stories and talk about our favorite things. Before she knows it, the splinter is laying in my hand. She picks it up and marvels at its size. The pain is forgotten. The fear left far behind. Courage produces confidence, and trust unfolds into transformation.

My Jesus Resolution today is to be brave about facing my splinters. They need to come out. Pretending they aren’t really there leaves festering sores in my soul. They need His touch and the cleansing power of His blood. Sometimes I am afraid of what transformation will require, but doing nothing will leave me wounded and unable to walk where He wants to lead me. So today I am going to take a deep breath, nod okay, and let Him work on my heart.