Casandra Martin

Do you want to be great? Deep down, everybody wants to be great, to make a difference, to leave a lasting impact on those we love and meet each day. More often than not, though, we settle for mediocre. We long to be great, but are not truly sure we have it in us.

Children don’t have that problem. Children believe they can be great. They are sure that they can accomplish their dreams, be anything they want to be, and have the power to change the world. No child says, “I hope I grow up to be just so-so.” Their imaginations let them soar. Somewhere along the way, we lose our confidence. We begin to let our failures define our limits.

The problem is that we let the world define what it means to be great. As we get older, our society projects a very clear image of what greatness looks like. Money, power, influence, intelligence, fame, popularity, and good looks frame what it means to be great.

But Christians don’t live by the standard of the world. We are defined by Jesus, and Jesus defines greatness this way. “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26) Having a servant heart, a heart that looks like Jesus, is at the core of what it means to be great.

Building on Jesus’ definition of greatness, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

My Jesus Resolution today is to commit to greatness. I am not looking for applause, the spotlight, or the praise of men. I want a heart that is great in the sight of God. I want to make a difference in the lives of the people God puts in my path. Today, I am going to commit a deliberate act of greatness – an offering of service to someone I meet, and use the moment to point them to the greatest One of all.

The seasons are changing again. Autumn leaves, bright with color, fall to the ground creating a jeweled blanket on the earth. The cold wind encourages us to pull out the quilts, snuggle up in sweaters, and sip hot chocolate. Two of my children woke up this week to a world wrapped in white. Snow covered everything in a canopy of new wonder, dazzling sparkle, and frosty freshness. They made snowmen, threw snowballs, and scraped ice off of cars.

Evidence of transformation is all around us. Seasons change. Children grow. Butterflies spin cocoons. Snow falls. Leaves turn. Flowers bloom. Seeds become plants. Semesters start, and then finish. Babies are born. Eggs hatch. Ice freezes, and then melts. We celebrate the first snowfall, the first green blade of grass, the first day of flip flops, and the first autumn leaf. Why do we do that? We do that because God has wired us for transformation.

Transformation is at the heart of God’s plan for us. Every day He plants reminders, pictures, examples, and stories of transformation all around us. He wants us to celebrate the caterpillar, and watch for the butterfly. He loves that we dance in the first snow, and smile at the evidence of spring poking up through the earth. He created the wonder we feel when babies are born. He ignites anticipation in our souls as we learn to pay attention to the transformation all around us. All of that transformation points us back to His heart.

Every picture of transformation, every story of renewal, and every moment of metamorphosis is meant to remind us of what God is willing and able to do in us. He can change the seasons, bring flowers to life from a seed, move in time and space to make us aware of His presence, and paint the autumn leaves and the spring wildflowers with the rich palette of His colors. Every time He does, He is looking at you. Those are just hints of the transformation He longs to work in you.

My Jesus Resolution today is to notice one example of transformation God plants in my day. The transformation all around me is an invitation to walk in the transformation He has in store for me. Each picture, each story has the power to teach me a lesson about trusting Him, honoring His faithfulness, and surrendering to His plan for me. Maybe I need to be still like the new fallen snow and let His grace cover me. Perhaps I need to die to self, burying my desires and ambitions, so that I can bloom into something that will bear fruit. Maybe I need to anticipate a new beginning, take the time to enjoy a new beauty, or let worship overwhelm me as I watch the many cycles of life unfold. Perhaps I need to look in the mirror and ask God to help me look more like Jesus.

Is your house decorated? Our house is transformed. For one month of the year, we live in a wonderland. Snowmen stand watch by the windows. Santas fill the bookshelves, watching for who is naughty or nice. Stockings are hung by the fireplace with care. Lights twinkle in the darkness, and there is a Christmas tree in my living room.

The Christmas tree is the focal point of all of this holiday decorating. It is covered with lights and memories. Ornaments made out of orange juice lids hang next to crystal beauties. Each of my children has their own box of ornaments. The highlight of our decorating adventure is always the moment when they open the box and start remembering. There are ornaments handed down from my grandmother. There are handmade ones, tacky ones, and exquisite ones. They paint a picture of our lives. My husband and I love to find quiet moments to sit by the tree after the kids have all gone to bed and just soak in the beauty.

Gifts are stacked under the tree. Mementoes of love carefully packaged. They are wrapped up in shiny paper to encourage anticipation. My kids love to watch the pile grow through the month as family and friends add to the excitement. Big presents still catch their eyes. I have come to learn that the smaller packages often hold the best gifts.

Our Christmas tree dominates the month of December, but there is another tree that needs to be our focal point all year long. What would happen if we planted the cross as firmly in our lives as our Christmas tree sits in our living room? Over time, our memories would center around the cross. We would spend time together talking about times of grace, moments of forgiveness, and occasions of encouragement. There would be faith ornaments handed down from others. We would look forward to quiet moments soaking in its deep beauty and profound message.

My Jesus Resolution today is focus on the cross. Light streams from its beams. It cuts through the darkness, drawing us closer with its warmth and invitation to belong. Today I am going to let my Christmas tree remind me of another tree. A more important tree. And the Savior who died there so that I can live with Him.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” – Ephesians 6:12

It came with the dawn on December 7, 1941. Japanese bombers directed their planes toward Pearl Harbor. Determined to cripple and humiliate the United States into concessions, the Japanese moved stealthily across the waters, closing in on the unsuspecting naval base. American ships closely lined the harbor waters. Planes formed tight groups on air fields to protect against sabotage. “Tora! Tora! Tora!” rang through the air as Japan unleashed the worst attack ever seen on American soil.

It remains a devastating day in American military history. Standing on the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, you can still see the sheen of oil leaking from the sunken vessel. In total, more than twenty-four hundred people died. Naval vessels lay crippled or ruined in the water. Fires burned. The wounded cried out in pain, and a nation reeled from the stunning news that their homeland had been attacked. As President Roosevelt so eloquently stated, December 7, 1941 remains “a date that will live in infamy.”

As Christians, we need to understand that we are at war. Sneak attacks happen. The enemy has no moral reserve. It is determined to bring us to our knees, devastating our peace and destroying our courage. We often think that attacks are going to wait until we are prepared, rested, and on full alert. The opposite is so much more often true. The enemy moves in when we are vulnerable, weary, and overwhelmed.

Vigilance is a necessity. We need to be prepared for the attack that will eventually come. Jesus gives us Himself as the armor we need to wear in order to stand firm during the raid. We can wrap truth around us, hold righteousness next to our hearts, and steady ourselves in His peace. Faith becomes a shield that guards our souls, while salvation covers our minds with His wisdom and goodness. Immersed in prayer, the power of His Word slices through the lies of the enemy and shines its light on his evil intent.

My Jesus Resolution today is to be watchful and remain aware. Jesus has won the victory. The war is over, even as the battle still rages on earth. The defeated enemy has his eye on taking God’s beloved down with him. I am going to stand with Jesus and plant myself in the shadow of the cross. I am going to put on the full armor of God, knowing He will empower me to stand against the enemy. An attack is coming, but it doesn’t have to defeat me. In Jesus, I have already won.

Have you ever felt like you just were never going to make it to the top? Sometimes the road seems pretty level, things are going well, and the walk is easy and energizing. Other times, however, finds you digging deep for the strength just to take the next step. The grade is steep, the climb all uphill, and the horizon just never seems to get any closer.

When you are standing at a distance, it is easy to talk about the mountains. They soar majestically into the clouds and grace the horizon with images of strength and beauty. Stand at the base of a mountain and you might find yourself with a lump in your throat. Things look a little tougher from the bottom of the hill than they did when the mountain stood in the distance.

It is in the uphill climbs that we become the most transparent. What lies at our cores is revealed as we struggle to take each step and find our footing on the rocky terrain. Uphill climbs highlight on whom we depend, what we understand about our purpose, and how we see the journey. It is in the midst of the climb that transformation is most deeply at work in our souls. It is here that we catch a glimpse of what is really true, what is worth the effort, and just how much endurance and grace are bound together.

God gives us an amazing truth to hang onto during the uphill climbs. Listen with wonder. Let His words soak deeply into your heart.

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” – Isaiah 46:3-4

Our lives are spent in the arms of God. He carries us close to His heart from infancy to old age. From before your birth, God loved you. When your hair turns gray, God will still be carrying you. Up the hills, over the mountains, through the valleys, and around every turn, God holds you tightly and carries you.

My Jesus Resolution today is to rest in His arms. I never make the uphill climbs alone. I can walk in the stability of His grace, move in the refreshing rhythm of His mercy, and find sure footing in His faithfulness. Today I am going to stop for just a minute, close my eyes, and feel His arms around me. Too many times I try to walk in my own strength, and end up tired, frustrated, and disillusioned. Being carried changes the uphill climbs into times of intimacy, dependence, and trust, but it requires surrender. Are you going to climb today or let yourself be carried?

Children have a way of seamlessly cutting to the truth. We picked our little friend up at school this week and listened to him talk about his day. They had spent the morning discussing the talents of each child. “What are you good at?” asked his teacher. Children have no difficulty identifying their talents. Some are good at running. Others love to build things. Our little friend proudly declared that he is very good at singing and dancing. Little ones understand that everybody has something they are good at and are willing to celebrate that goodness wherever they see it.

Buckled in the car seat, he continued his observations about what the people he loves are good at. His grandmother is good at baking. His grandfather is good at helping him ride a horse. His dad is good at driving his truck. His big buddy is good at being stinky. (Yes, he really said that.) Finally, I asked him what God is good at. He didn’t pause for a moment. “God is good at everything.”

I love the truth captured in that one sentence. God is good at everything. Everything He touches, everything He does, everything He says, every way He works, every moment He inhabits is filled with His goodness. God never just gets by. He doesn’t wing it, or cross His fingers and hope it turns out. He never cuts corners, rushes through the pieces, or says ‘good enough.’ Everything He does is excellent. He brings the perfect touch to each and every moment. We can be confident that if God is in the middle of it, it is very good.

“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” – Jeremiah 32:17

My Jesus Resolution today is to celebrate the truth that God is good at everything. He is good at creating the stars beyond the stars, moving the tides, and painting the rainbow across the sky. But His goodness is also very personal. He is good at bestowing grace, extending mercy, healing what is broken, and settling peace into a confused and hurting heart. He is good at loving me. He is good at transformation. There may be days where I question what I am good at, but God’s desire for me never changes. He wants me to be good at looking like Jesus.

This is the time of year in which we are all looking for the perfect present for the people in our lives. We want the gift to be meaningful, fun, and bring joy and smiles. There are lots of great choices out there, but sometimes the most profound gifts are gifts of the heart. Here are ten gift list ideas that will help point the people you love to Jesus.

1. Bestow a blessing.

2. Commit to praying for someone for 30 days.

3. Share your favorite Bible verse.

4. Offer a word of encouragement, praise, or admiration.

5. Tell someone where you see God working in their life.

6. Make a list of 52 of God’s promises – one for each week of the year.

7. Speak the words, “I love you” often and out loud.

8. Give a gratitude journal. Fill the first entry with reasons you are thankful for that person.

9. Wrap up a packet of seeds and share how that someone planted the seeds of God’s love in your life.

10. Make a family resolution to Look Like Jesus. Create a sign for your refrigerator, cards for the bathroom mirrors, and give each family member a bracelet, necklace, or small something to carry in their pocket as a reminder to always choose Jesus.

My Jesus Resolution today is offer even the gifts I give during the holidays as tools for His glory. I want everything to point to Jesus. I want to inspire others to walk in His steps, follow in His ways, and live in His purpose. It starts by giving myself. I want to live my life in joyous response to the very great gift God has given me. I want to look like Jesus, and that is the best gift I can give to everyone around me.

We have just finished the big sale weekend that launches the holiday season for retailers. Millions of shoppers got up in the wee hours of the morning, stood in line for hours, jostled their way through crowds, and joined in the excitement of finding great deals and super sales.

Black Friday has almost become as much of a tradition in some families as Thanksgiving itself. With a smile, I listened as friends described their preparations for their shopping trips. Some had shopping sleep-overs. Others took naps, studied ads, made lists, and drew up game plans. These early morning adventures served to strengthen connections, plant memories, and draw hearts closer, as much as it did to check off gift lists and save money.

All of the hubbub around this sale weekend also caused me to look into the mirror. Do I get as excited about receiving God’s free and gracious gifts as I do about finding a sale on toys? Do I prepare myself for running into His open arms at worship times with the same intensity that I prepare myself to go through an open store door at 3 a.m.? Do I set aside time, make a plan, connect with friends, and dedicate resources in order to more fully experience the best deal ever – the grace of Jesus Christ?

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8.

My Jesus Resolution today is to embrace the best deal ever. Shopping is fun. Finding great bargains is a blessing. But I don’t want to miss the best deal ever. I want to experience all the richness, power, peace, joy, and forgiveness embedded in God’s gift of grace. Just like super shoppers spend time preparing and planning in order to get in on the best deals at a store, I need to invest energy, focus, resources, and attention to having a heart ready to receive everything God wants to give me.

November is a month that reminds us to be thankful for our blessings. It has been refreshing to see many people sharing their gratitude, making lists of blessings, and posting reasons for thanks. Each blessing is a reminder of how God touches our days, shapes our moments, and meets our needs.

But here is the question that caught my attention as I have walked through this month of thanksgiving – why do we only do this during this one month a year?

Please understand that I am not criticizing those who have made a special effort to count their blessings and express thanks at this time of year. I rejoice in your attention to the God-details of your life. Your actions have caused me to examine myself. This is a question that holds a mirror up to my own heart. Daily expressions of thanksgiving should be as much on my mind in March as it is in November. I should be as easily aware of my blessings in July as I am around Thanksgiving. Gratitude traces the hand of God on my life. It opens my eyes to His presence, allows me to be overwhelmed by His provision, helps me catch glimpses of His power, and draws my heart even deeper toward the cross.

First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I don’t want to stop giving thanks because the holiday is over. I want gratitude to permeate everything I do. I want thanksgiving to be the rhythm of my heart. As much fun as it has been to see Day 25 postings about thanksgiving, how powerful would it be if Facebook, Twitter, emails, and journals were filled with the blessings found on Day 225?

My Jesus Resolution today is to take the Gratitude Challenge. When November ends, I am not going to stop counting my blessings. I am going to watch for God’s hand, trace His fingerprints, and record His movement every day for the next year. Just one thing, one blessing, one reason to smile and remember how close He is and how much He cares. I think a year of giving thanks will change my heart. It will certainly open my eyes. Anyone want to join me?

Have you ever noticed the power of a smile? A simple smile can change everything. It can diffuse a difficult situation, build bridges, overcome language barriers, and bring grace into a dark moment. Smiles help us conquer our fears, touch the heart of another, and create a connection between souls.

I imagine that Jesus smiled….a lot. A smile is a gift of the heart. God created smiles. He wants us to use them. He made us to be a people who share smiles with everyone. We live in a world that is stingy with its smiles. Smiles invite connection. They open the door to conversation, promote transparency, and offer hope. Smiles help to remind us that we don’t walk alone. No matter our background, color, economic status, burdens, or gifts, a smile allows us to see God in the face of another person.

Mother Teresa once said, “Love begins with a smile.” It is a simple act of courage in a world that encourages us to keep to ourselves. It is a ray of sunshine in the darkness, an offer of friendship and unity. Frowns erect fences around our hearts. Smiles are gates, avenues of access and windows into joy.

My Jesus Resolution today is to smile. We are called to a life of love – radical love, outside-the-box love, generous love. A smile is a simple way to step into God’s call to love. I can offer a smile to everyone I meet today. I can smile at my postal carrier, the grocery clerk, my neighbor, the coworker in the next office, and my family. I am going to remember the power God built into a smile and offer each one as an act of worship and thanksgiving. And sometime today, I am going to turn my face toward the heavens, think about Jesus, and smile. I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that God is smiling too.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

                                                                                    – Numbers 6:24-26