I find the conversation about waiting seasons often makes it sound like they're empty rooms. These blank stretches of time between the life we had and the life we're trying to get to. Something to patiently wait out in hopes that what we want is on its way at some undefined moment in time, all while wrestling with bouts of control or anxiety, wondering if we are doing something wrong and just need to try harder. But look back at any season you called "waiting," and you'll find it wasn't empty...

There's a passage in the Gospel of John that stops me every time I sit with it. Jesus says: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." — John 14:13–14 On the surface, it sounds like Jesus is giving us a blank check. Ask for anything and we will receive it. Done. What I've noticed is how this has created an emphasis on signing off every prayer with "in Jesus name" as though it is a magic...

There's something I've been sitting with for a while now, and I imagine if you've spent any real time in church, you've likely noticed this as well. There is a heavy and persistent focus on the brokenness of the world and humanity. The church feels like it opens itself as a spiritual hospital to reflect on your moral shortcomings and rehabilitate your soul to be more like Jesus. And just to be clear, I'm not arguing that the brokenness isn't real and doesn't need to be addressed. The world...