Last week we took a carload of kids to a youth camp in another state. Although it wasn’t exactly a typical ‘vacation’, we viewed it as a ‘road trip with purpose’, and on the way back we did get to stop and enjoy a couple of nights at a cottage on the lake.

When you have kids around much of the time, it can be hard to get an opportunity to have one-on-one time with your spouse, but it’s so important to get to reflect with one another. After 20 years of marriage, we have learned that the insight we can offer each other goes a long way in overcoming the battles that we face. We managed to steal some time away to enjoy the sunset lake view and talk about what the events of the week had impressed upon us, and through that conversation, we found nuggets of wisdom and encouragement to bring back home with us.

He and I often ask ourselves, as many of you probably do, how we can know if we are doing God’s will. How can we know we are walking the path God has laid out for us? Those of us who care deeply about living a God-honoring life often wonder – am I doing enough? It can be a struggle to recognize the brevity of life while craving purpose and meaning in our days. Add to that the average, mundane hardships of ordinary living, and it’s no wonder that it all can become overwhelming.

I believe it isn’t as complicated as we often make it. God does indeed work in sweeping, mysterious, epic ways, but He is also working and moving among the simplistic, quiet ways we are choosing to honor Him in our daily choices. What we do in the unseen areas and how we conduct our daily walk reveal what’s truly in our souls. 

May we never lose sight of the tremendous value of pursuing the following:

Edifying, Christ-centered relationships – This isn’t always easy to find, but seeking out and encouraging others who love the things of God brings joy to the places in our life that sometimes feel too hard. Life is too short to waste on anything shallow or destructive. 

Time spent away from distractions – I can tell when I’ve spent too much time and energy focused on the things of this world. Being intentional about getting away from all of that never returns void. Pray, pray pray – and I have to remind myself of this so much.

Character and integrity, especially when no one is looking – When we are motivated by a love for God, it shows. People may never see how we endure the evil that comes our way, but facing our battles with courage and conviction leads to a deeper relationship with Him and grows us in faith and maturity. Let’s check our motives in every action we take and glorify Him always, even when no one else knows about it.

Dying to ourselves – I never want to overpower the goodness that God gives. It is only when we surrender to Him that the joy and hope can overflow – because I can never have either apart from Him. 

We don’t want to arrive at the end of our lives and realize that we traded any of these things for the pursuit of stuff that doesn’t matter. The seemingly simple steps that we take to maintain a righteous perspective are far more impactful than we may ever realize this side of heaven. Those hidden places where we seek wisdom will lead to all the guidance and direction we need.

Count it all joy. Suffer with Christ. There is reward to come.