Don’t Miss the Moment

Refocus your heart on Jesus

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
(John 1:14)

I’ll never forget officiating a wedding rehearsal where the bride was completely overwhelmed. The flower girl was crying, one bridesmaid’s dress didn’t fit, and her uncle couldn’t find his boutonniere. I finally pulled her aside and said, “Don’t miss the moment. The details will fade, but what really matters are the vows you’re about to make.” She broke down in tears, realizing she had lost sight of what was most important. Life can be a lot like that. With so much noise and so many things competing for our attention, it’s easy to lose focus on what truly matters. Even in ministry, we can get busy doing things for God and miss simply being with Him.

That’s why I love John’s Gospel. While Matthew, Mark, and Luke focused on what Jesus said and did, John zeroed in on who Jesus is—the Light of the world, the eternal Word made flesh. John the Baptist understood that his mission wasn’t to be the Light but to point others toward it. The same is true for us. We’re not called to be the Savior but to direct people’s attention to Him. We may face rejection just as Jesus did, but we can also rejoice that through Him we’ve been adopted into God’s family. And as His children, our mission is to embody both grace and truth, shining His light in a dark and divided world.

As we step into this new year, don’t let the details, to-do lists, or even ministry plans crowd out the wonder of the moment. Remember, the essence of life, and every season, is Jesus Himself, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. When we slow down long enough to reflect on that truth, it reorders our priorities and changes how we see everything else.

Bold Steps Challenge:
This week, take a few quiet moments each day to pause and refocus your heart on Jesus. Ask yourself: Am I missing the moment by focusing on the details? Choose to point others to the Light by living with grace and truth in your words and actions.

Prayer:
Father, forgive me for the times I’ve gotten lost in the details and missed Your presence in the moment. Help me slow down, see You clearly, and point others toward Your light.

Teach me to walk in both grace and truth as I live out my mission today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Listen to the sermon: How Not to Miss the Moment

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

I’m very encouraged by a surprising movement unfolding at New Life Community Church in Chicago, where I pastor alongside my son Josiah—a quiet revival among young men who are finding their way back to faith. In the new podcast, Quiet Revival: Gen Z Men and the Return to Faith, we explore this shift, diving into how these young men are setting aside distractions, rediscovering real purpose, truth, and spiritual strength in Christ, and responding to a growing spiritual hunger for identity, meaning, and belonging. I hope you’ll join the conversation as we talk honestly about what it truly takes to follow Jesus in a generation longing for something real.