By LA | Authentically LA — Lesson in Everyday

“Not my will, but Yours, be done.” — Luke 22:42 (NKJV)

Today, as I reflect on my life, my journey, and the many lessons God continues to teach me, one truth sits heavily upon my heart:

I don’t show up each day just for me.

There are mornings when I have to remind myself why I must get up, keep moving, keep praying, and keep showing up. Not because every day is easy. Not because I always have the strength or the answers. But because I realize my existence is connected to something far greater than my own circumstances.

There are lives connected to my obedience.

And when I say lives, I’m not just talking about my family.

I’m talking about the community. The friends. The associates. The acquaintances I’ve encountered along the way. The person I may have spoken to only once. The stranger whose path may cross mine tomorrow. The people I’ve yet to meet and the souls who may be silently crying out for someone to see them, hear them, pray for them, or simply remind them that they matter.

Some of those people may never know my name. Some may never understand the battles I’ve fought or the prayers I’ve prayed.

But perhaps God has already prepared an intersection between our journeys.

And I want to be available when that moment comes.

My Present Isn’t the Only Place Counting on Me

Something I’ve come to understand is that my present circumstances are not the only things requiring my attention.

My future is counting on me to show up, too.

There are people I haven’t met, conversations I haven’t had, rooms I haven’t entered, prayers I haven’t prayed, and assignments I haven’t fulfilled.

What if the decision to keep showing up today is preparation for someone I’ll encounter years from now?

What if my willingness to surrender today is developing the wisdom, patience, compassion, and understanding I’ll need for tomorrow?

I cannot allow what I’m going through in this season to make me forget that God may still have so much more for me to do.

And no, that doesn’t mean ignoring my own needs or pushing myself beyond what God requires. I’ve learned that even those called to serve must know when to rest, be restored, and remain in His presence.

Showing up faithfully doesn’t always mean doing more.

Sometimes it means being still enough to hear Him.

When You Can Hear Beyond the Words

My heart has become increasingly sensitive toward people.

There are moments when I can walk among a crowd and feel a heaviness that causes me to pause. I notice the tired eyes, the guarded smiles, the quiet expressions, and the people who seem to be carrying more than they’re able to explain.

And when someone speaks, I find myself listening beyond the words coming from their mouth.

I hear the hurt beneath the laughter.

The exhaustion behind the words, “I’m okay.”

The longing beneath the questions.

The pain someone is attempting to hide behind a smile.

I don’t claim to know every person’s story or what they’re carrying. But I believe God has been teaching me to listen with greater compassion, discernment, patience, and love.

Sometimes the soul is crying out while the mouth is speaking about something entirely different.

And I’ve learned not everyone who needs encouragement knows how to ask for it.

Sometimes they just need someone to be present.

Someone who doesn’t rush the conversation.

Someone who doesn’t dismiss their emotions.

Someone willing to pray with them instead of simply telling them everything will be all right.

When I sense that burden, I’m moved to pray, to intercede, and to speak God’s Word over the situation, asking and declaring that whatever is out of alignment be brought into agreement with His truth, His purpose, and His perfect will.

Not because I have the power to fix someone’s life, but because I know the One who can reach places that human hands and human words cannot.

I Know What It Feels Like to Have a Cry No One Can Hear

Perhaps my compassion runs so deeply because I remember what it felt like to be the one crying out.

I know what it’s like to have a heart searching for something you cannot quite explain.

To feel as though something is missing, even when you’re surrounded by people.

To look for peace in places where peace cannot remain.

To want to be heard, understood, loved, and made whole.

I know the difference between appearing to be all right and truly being at peace within.

For me, the turning point came when I began to truly know the love of God and develop my relationship with Him.

Not just knowing about Him.

Not just calling His name when circumstances became overwhelming.

But intentionally seeking Him, surrendering to Him, learning His Word, and allowing His love to reach the places inside me that I could not heal through my own strength.

That longing within my soul began to find its answer in the One who created me.

And I discovered that the relationship I had been longing for most was the relationship I needed with God.

When Eternity Changed My Priorities

There came a point in my life when I had to place the condition of my heart and soul at the top of my priorities.

I began thinking beyond appointments, responsibilities, accomplishments, relationships, and the demands of everyday life.

I had to ask myself:

If my earthly journey ended today, would I be at peace with where I stand with God?

Because the reality is that none of us knows how much time we have.

I wanted more than temporary comfort.

I wanted spiritual wholeness.

I wanted peace that could remain even when life was uncertain.

I wanted to know that I had surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, trusted Him as my Lord and Savior, and found the assurance of eternal life through Him.

And as I began to place my relationship with God above everything else, my perspective changed.

Things I once considered urgent no longer held the same weight.

Some battles no longer deserved my energy.

Some distractions no longer deserved my attention.

Some desires no longer outweighed my desire to please God.

I started seeing more clearly what truly mattered.

And my daily prayer became:

“Lord, not my will, but Your will be done. I don’t want to be anywhere You haven’t called me to be. I don’t want to pursue anything that pulls me away from You. Align my heart, my choices, my desires, and my steps with Your purpose.”

Compassion Grew When I Got in Alignment With My Assignment

I’ve discovered that when my heart becomes more aligned with God, the way I see people changes.

I begin to look beyond someone’s behavior and consider what they may be experiencing.

I become slower to judge and quicker to extend grace.

I recognize that the person standing before me may be fighting a battle I know nothing about.

And I remember that I, too, have needed mercy, forgiveness, patience, and compassion.

My assignment isn’t to be everyone’s savior.

Jesus has already fulfilled that role.

My assignment is to be obedient to God, love people as He teaches me to love, and remain willing to be used for His glory.

Sometimes that assignment may be a conversation.

Sometimes a prayer.

Sometimes encouragement, a listening ear, a helping hand, or simply knowing when to be quiet and present.

And sometimes the assignment is learning to step aside and let God do what only God can do.

I’ve come to a place where my greatest desire is no longer simply to accomplish more, become more visible, or prove something to others.

My deepest desire is to remain in relationship with God and please Him in all that I do.

Everything else must flow from that foundation.

It’s a Daily Choice, a Daily Walk, and a Daily Renewal

I haven’t arrived at perfection.

I am still learning.

Still growing.

Still being corrected.

Still surrendering areas of my life.

Still learning when to speak, when to listen, when to move, and when to rest.

Some days my flesh wants its own way. Some days emotions try to take the lead. And some days I must remind myself all over again that surrender isn’t something I did only once.

It’s a decision I must continue making.

Romans 12:2 reminds us of the importance of being transformed through the renewing of our minds.

And Luke 9:23 speaks to the daily nature of following Christ.

For me, that means waking up and inviting God into every part of my day.

“Lord, search my heart. Correct what needs correcting. Heal what needs healing. Strengthen what needs strengthening. Remove what is interfering with my obedience. Help me hear You clearly and love people genuinely.”

Because I don’t simply want to say I belong to Christ.

I want my life to reflect that relationship.

Today’s Lesson in Everyday

Today, I want to leave you with this thought:

Your life may be touching more lives than you realize, including lives you haven’t encountered yet.

So don’t measure the value of your presence only by what you can see today.

Some of the seeds you’re planting won’t produce visible fruit immediately.

Some prayers will reach further than your words.

Some acts of kindness will be remembered long after you’ve forgotten them.

And some of the lessons God is teaching you right now may become the encouragement someone else desperately needs in another season.

But remember this: showing up for others must never replace showing up in your relationship with God.

Let Him fill you before you try to pour into someone else.

Let Him guide you instead of allowing every need to become your personal responsibility.

Let Him remind you that your worth isn’t measured by how many people you rescue, how much you accomplish, or how much you sacrifice.

You are loved by God before you ever do anything for anyone.

And from that love, your assignment can flow.

So today, I choose to show up.

Not just for me.

Not just for the lives already around me.

But for the lives God may be preparing me to encounter.

And above all, I choose to show up before the Lord with a surrendered heart.

Because when it’s all said and done, my greatest desire is to hear that I’ve been faithful to the One who called me.

Not my will, Lord. Your will be done.

A Prayer From My Heart

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for another day of life, another opportunity to grow, and another chance to be aligned with Your purpose.

Lord, keep my heart tender without allowing it to become overwhelmed. Teach me to recognize when You’re leading me to speak, pray, serve, or simply be still.

Help me love people without trying to carry responsibilities that belong to You alone.

Renew my mind daily. Purify my motives. Order my steps. Strengthen my faith and continue teaching me what it means to surrender every area of my life to You.

Father, for every soul that is quietly crying out today, I pray that Your love reaches them in the places no one else can see. Bring comfort to the weary, peace to the troubled, hope to the discouraged, and clarity to those seeking direction.

Let my life be a reflection of Your grace, truth, and compassion.

Above every ambition, plan, and personal desire, may Your will be done.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A question to reflect on today: Are you simply showing up to get through another day, or are you allowing God to prepare your heart for the lives and assignments still ahead of you?

With love, faith, and a heart still learning,

LA

Lesson in Everyday

Learn to Live. Live to Learn.