I’m Glad You’re Here!

Here’s an insider preview of book three, The Contender’s Competition, that I’m plotting for the Danforth Theatre Series: the hero, Jeffrey, is a disinherited grandson of an earl. Due to primogeniture, British titles and inheritances went to the eldest legitimately born son. But his father’s bad habits and poor behavior get him and his descendant (Jeffrey) stripped of their inheritance. Titles cannot be taken away from the firstborn, so Jeffrey ends up a poor titled carpenter, and he believes money makes a man. He’s determined to work himself to the bone, earning the funds needed to be welcomed back into polite society, because then he’d have value and could make a difference. When his grandfather offers a shortcut to win back the inheritance through a competition, Jeffrey accepts the challenge, but oh, does poor Jeffrey have a lot to learn.

Some days it can be hard to see our own value, and if we’re making a difference. The devil will lie to us, saying we are insignificant, our mistakes are too great, or our past is too hard to overcome. We can feel invisible and alone, especially when we watch the rest of the world seem to be having a great time through the small windows of our phone screens. Some days, we may wonder why we even bothered getting up in the morning.

Your value doesn’t come from what you do, the money you make, or the number of friends and followers you have. It’s not from how cool you are or how many fans you influence. Your value comes from the one who gave up His life for you. God so loved you that He gave His one and only Son, so that you can have eternal life (John 3:16).

Such a sacrifice makes you invaluable.

God loves you. He sees you, and He put you in this time and place for a reason. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God has given each of us unique purposes that only we can fulfill on this earth. Note how good works is plural. Different seasons of life have different purposes.

I greet people at the front door of my church, and I’m humbled when they tell me they came back the following Sunday because I had greeted them with a smile, remembered their name, or held an umbrella for them. It never ceases to amaze me how such a small gesture can make an impact.

I’ve also been on the receiving end of these acts of kindness. When I was struggling with imposter syndrome or feeling down about my writing, some of you took a moment to send me an encouraging email. I treasure those poignant, God-timed words that sustained me and kept my fingers on the keyboard. That you are reading this blog right now blesses me.

Paul understood his purpose on earth better with a confidence I wish we all had. In Philippians 1:21, Paul states, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” He didn’t fear dying and looked forward to being in heaven with Jesus, but Paul says in verse 24, “But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” Paul knew God had a plan for him, and I pray that we will all have that same assurance in God’s plans for us.

God wants you here, fulfilling His good works that He prepared in advance for you.

And I’m sure glad you’re here!