Tag: Perseverance

Christianity…The Uncut Version

The Christian walk is often presented with polished smiles, perfect church clothes, and carefully edited testimonies. But the real journey with Jesus is not always neat, clean, or easy. It is gritty. It is costly. It is beautiful and painful at the same time. The real uncut version of following Christ is not a stage performance—it is surrender.

The Christian Walk Is Not a Highlight Reel

Somewhere along the way, many believers were taught that following Jesus would automatically make life easier. That if you prayed enough, served enough, or had enough faith, the storms would stop coming.

But Scripture never promised a painless life.

Jesus Himself said in The Bible, “In this world you will have trouble.” Not maybe. Not sometimes. You will.

The real Christian walk looks like praising God while fighting anxiety.
It looks like worshipping through chronic pain.
It looks like praying when heaven feels silent.
It looks like showing up to church with tears hidden behind your smile.
It looks like trusting God while your life feels like it is falling apart.

Faith is not pretending everything is okay.
Faith is clinging to Jesus when everything is not okay.

Real Christians Still Struggle

The sanitized version of Christianity often makes believers feel ashamed for struggling. But the heroes of faith in Scripture were deeply human.

David battled fear and depression.
Elijah became so overwhelmed he wanted to die.
Peter denied Jesus.
Thomas doubted.
Paul spoke openly about weakness and suffering.

God still used every one of them.

The modern church sometimes celebrates polished personalities more than authentic surrender. But Jesus was never looking for perfect people. He was looking for willing people.

The truth is this:
Some believers are exhausted.
Some are grieving.
Some are battling addiction.
Some are fighting private temptations.
Some are barely holding on.

And yet, they still whisper, “Jesus, I trust You.”

That is real faith.

Picking Up Your Cross Is Heavy

Jesus never said, “Pick up your crown and follow Me.”
He said, “Pick up your cross.”

Crosses are heavy.

Sometimes following Jesus means losing friendships because your values changed.
Sometimes it means forgiving someone who never apologized.
Sometimes it means standing alone.
Sometimes it means obeying God while everyone around you thinks you are crazy.

The Christian walk is not always comfortable because transformation is painful.

God will lovingly tear down pride.
He will expose idols.
He will confront hidden sin.
He will lead you into wilderness seasons where your only source of strength is Him.

And honestly? Those wilderness seasons are often where the deepest intimacy with God is formed.

Church Hurt Is Real — But So Is Jesus

Many people carry scars from the church.

Some were judged instead of loved.
Some were manipulated.
Some were ignored in their pain.
Some watched leaders fall.
Some walked into church broken and walked out feeling even more condemned.

Church hurt is real.
But Jesus is not the abuse you experienced.
Jesus is not the hypocrisy you witnessed.
Jesus is not the pride of broken people pretending to represent Him perfectly.

The real uncut Christian walk sometimes involves learning how to separate Jesus from flawed human behavior.

And that healing process can take time.

Sanctification Is Messy

Following Jesus is not instant perfection.
It is daily surrender.

Some days you feel spiritually strong.
Other days you feel numb.
Some days you pray for hours.
Other days all you can say is, “God, help me.”

Sanctification is messy because God works through real people with real wounds, real habits, and real struggles.

The Christian life is not about never falling.
It is about continually getting back up and running back to Jesus.

Grace does not excuse sin.
Grace gives us the power to keep fighting.

The World Does Not Need More Performers

The world is tired of celebrity Christianity.
Tired of fake perfection.
Tired of filtered faith.

People are starving for authenticity.

They need believers who are honest about their struggles while still pointing to the faithfulness of God.
They need Christians who love deeply.
Who repent genuinely.
Who serve quietly.
Who stay faithful even when nobody is applauding.

The strongest testimony is often not someone who has a perfect life.
It is someone who walked through hell and still did not let go of Jesus.

Jesus Is Still Worth Following

Even in the pain.
Even in the confusion.
Even in the waiting.
Even in the unanswered prayers.

Jesus is still worthy.

Because the real Christian walk is not built on feelings.
It is built on the truth that Christ remains faithful even when life is hard.

Following Jesus will cost you comfort, pride, and sometimes even relationships.
But it will also give you something the world can never offer:
real hope,
real peace,
real purpose,
and eternal life.

So if your walk with God feels messy right now, you are not alone.

Keep praying.
Keep fighting.
Keep showing up.
Keep trusting.

Not because you are strong,
but because He is.

And sometimes the most powerful words a believer can say are simply:
“Jesus, I’m still here.” ~OC

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Microwave Waiting

Today’s a new day! 

Waiting is one of the hardest parts of the Christian life. We pray. We cry out to God. We ask for direction, healing, provision, or restoration, and deep down we often expect an immediate answer. We live in a world of instant downloads, fast food, overnight shipping, and microwave solutions, so naturally we sometimes expect our prayers to work the same way.

We pray about a job and hope the phone rings tomorrow. 

We pray about a relationship and expect immediate reconciliation.


We pray about a health issue and long for instant healing.

And sometimes God does answer quickly. Sometimes doors swing wide open almost immediately. Sometimes healing comes fast, provision appears unexpectedly, and breakthrough arrives sooner than we imagined. Those moments remind us that God is powerful, loving, and fully able to move in an instant.

But other times… God’s timing feels like forever.

There are seasons when heaven seems quiet. Seasons where the prayer has been repeated hundreds of times. Seasons where tears have become part of the daily routine. In those moments, it can be tempting to believe God has forgotten us, ignored us, or moved on from our situation.

But the silence of God does not mean the absence of God.

Often, the waiting season is where God does some of His deepest work in us. While we are focused on the answer, God is focused on our heart. While we are praying for a destination, God is shaping our character during the journey.

Waiting teaches us trust.

Anyone can praise God when the answer comes quickly. But faith grows stronger when we continue trusting Him before we see the outcome. Waiting teaches perseverance. It teaches surrender. It teaches us to seek God not only for what He can give us, but simply for who He is.

Sometimes God delays the answer because He is protecting us. Sometimes He is preparing us. Sometimes He is arranging circumstances we cannot yet see. And sometimes He wants us to learn to hear His voice more clearly in the quiet place of dependence.

The Bible is filled with people who had to wait.

The Book of Psalms is full of cries from David asking, “How long, O Lord?” Abraham waited years for God’s promise. Joseph waited through betrayal and prison before stepping into purpose. Even the disciples had to wait after the resurrection before the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost.

The waiting was never wasted.

Neither is yours.

If you are praying today for a job, a relationship, healing, direction, or peace, do not give up because the answer has not arrived yet. Keep pressing in. Keep praying. Keep opening God’s Word. Keep worshiping when it is hard. Keep listening for His voice.

Sometimes God speaks through open doors.
Sometimes He speaks through closed doors.
And sometimes He speaks through the waiting itself.

Do not let delay destroy your faith. God is still working even when you cannot yet see the evidence. A seed underground looks invisible before it becomes a harvest.

God’s timing is not microwave timing. It is holy timing.

And when the answer finally comes, you may discover that the greatest miracle was not simply what God did for you, but what He did inside of you while you waited. ~OC

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Before We Speak

Today’s a new day! 

In a world overflowing with criticism, outrage, and division, followers of Jesus are called to respond differently. It is easy to point out someone’s failures. It is easy to condemn, shame, or speak harshly when people fall short. But Christ never called His people to become professional judges of broken humanity. He called us to become carriers of grace, truth, and prayer. Before we rush to criticize someone’s life, we should first fall to our knees and pray for their heart. Before we speak words of condemnation, we should ask God to move in their life the same way He once moved in ours.

Every person you see fighting battles, making mistakes, or wandering far from God is still someone deeply loved by the Creator. Many people are carrying wounds nobody knows about. Some are drowning in fear, addiction, loneliness, bitterness, or shame. They do not need believers throwing stones from a distance; they need people willing to intercede for them with compassion. Jesus showed us what mercy looks like. Even while hanging on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” If the Son of God responded to hatred with prayer and forgiveness, how much more should we?

Pray more than you judge. Pray more than you condemn. Pray for your family members who seem far from God. Pray for those who hurt you. Pray for those trapped in sin. Pray for those who mock your faith. Prayer has the power to soften hardened hearts, restore broken lives, and bring people into an encounter with Jesus that no argument ever could. Condemnation pushes people further into darkness, but prayer invites the light of God into impossible situations.

The Church shines brightest when it reflects the heart of Christ. Truth matters, but truth without love becomes noise. We are called to stand for righteousness while still extending mercy to people who desperately need hope. None of us were saved because we were perfect; we were saved because Jesus loved us in the middle of our brokenness. May we become believers known not for harsh judgment, but for powerful prayers, compassionate hearts, and a relentless desire to see people redeemed by the grace of God. ~OC

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Through Every Season

Today’s a new day! 

A true life of service isn’t measured in titles, applause, or the weight of history books—it’s revealed in quiet consistency, in promises kept when no one would blame you for stepping back.

At the state funeral of President Jimmy Carter, his grandson Jason Carter said something simple yet profound: he was the same person no matter who he was with or where he was. Not a version of himself—just himself. Always.

And if you’re looking for proof of that kind of integrity, you don’t have to search long.

In the autumn of 2019, at 95 years old, President Carter fell at his home in Plains, Georgia. He split his forehead, required 14 stitches, and woke the next morning with a blackened eye and a bandage across his brow. For most, that would be reason enough to rest, recover, and cancel whatever came next. 

But Jimmy Carter had made a promise.

So he boarded a plane and flew to Nashville, Tennessee.

That evening, standing before volunteers at the historic Ryman Auditorium, his face bruised and stitched, he didn’t speak about pain or sacrifice. He simply said, “I had a No. 1 priority, and that was to come to Nashville and build houses.”

And the next morning, he did exactly that.

No special treatment. No spotlight. Just jeans, a blue volunteer T-shirt, and a drill in his hand—working shoulder to shoulder with others through Habitat for Humanity to build porches for families who needed homes.

What makes this story even more powerful is that it wasn’t extraordinary for him.

It was normal.

This was the 36th consecutive year he had shown up.

It all began back in 1984, just a few years after leaving the White House. Walking past a build site in New York City, he noticed something most people would overlook—there weren’t enough hands. So he joined in. No announcement. No ceremony. He slept on a church bunk bed while others expected him to make a brief appearance and leave.

Instead, he picked up a hammer and stayed.

He once said, “It’s OK if they want to take my picture holding a hammer, but as long as I’m holding a hammer, it’s going to be hitting a nail.”

And that’s exactly how he lived.

Over the next three and a half decades, President Carter helped build and repair more than 4,300 homes alongside over 100,000 volunteers across 14 countries. He never asked for a different shirt. Never separated himself from the work. Never became a symbol instead of a servant.

He simply showed up.

Again and again.

There’s something deeply challenging about a life like that. Because it strips away excuses. It redefines what greatness looks like. It reminds us that legacy isn’t built in moments of comfort, but in moments of commitment.

A true life of service doesn’t demand recognition—it demands faithfulness.

Not once.
Not occasionally.
But consistently.

Through pain. Through age. Through every season.

And maybe that’s the real takeaway: the world doesn’t just need more leaders—it needs more servants. People who don’t just talk about making a difference, but quietly, faithfully, relentlessly go to work.

Because in the end, the most powerful testimony isn’t what we say.

It’s what we do—day after day, promise after promise, nail after nail. ~OC

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A Stand For Freedom

For twenty years, I have been on the front lines in the fight against human trafficking. It’s not a battle you walk away from unchanged. The stories, the faces, the weight of it all—they stay with you. There are moments, though, when I close my eyes and allow myself to imagine something different. A world where no one is bought or sold. A world where freedom isn’t a privilege, but a given. A world where the word “trafficking” is something future generations only read about in history books, unable to fully comprehend how it ever existed.

In that quiet place of imagination, there are no victims—only people living in dignity, walking in purpose, and free to live the lives they were created for. There are no broken families from exploitation, no silent cries in the dark, no chains—visible or invisible—holding people captive. It’s a world filled with justice, restoration, and hope.

But then I open my eyes.

And I am reminded that the world we live in is still deeply broken. Human trafficking remains one of the most horrific crimes against humanity—hidden in plain sight, thriving in darkness, and fueled by indifference, greed, and silence. It’s easy for people to look away, to believe it’s too big, too complicated, or too far removed from their everyday lives. But the truth is, it’s closer than we think—and it demands a response.

That’s why I don’t stay in that dream.

I wake up more determined.

Determined to be a voice for those who have been silenced. Determined to stand in the gap for those who feel forgotten. Determined to push back against the darkness, no matter how overwhelming it may seem. Because every life matters. Every story matters. And every effort—no matter how small—has the power to make a difference.

Over the years, I’ve learned that ending human trafficking isn’t about one person or one organization. It takes all of us. It takes awareness, education, and the willingness to have uncomfortable conversations. It takes communities choosing to care, to pay attention, and to act. It takes persistence—especially on the days when it feels like nothing is changing.

But change is happening slowly. 

Every life rescued is a victory. Every trafficker brought to justice is a step forward. Every person educated is another light shining into the darkness. Progress may not always be loud or immediate, but it is real—and it is worth fighting for.

So yes, I still close my eyes sometimes and imagine that world without human trafficking.

But I don’t stay there.

Because the real work is here, in the waking moments—in the conversations, the advocacy, the prayers, the actions. The dream isn’t meant to be an escape; it’s meant to be a vision. A reminder of what we’re fighting for.

And until that vision becomes reality, I will keep waking up determined.

Because giving up is not an option—and neither is ignoring the call to stand for freedom. ~OC

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Stand Up. Speak Truth.

Today’s a new day!

What will you stand up for today? Not tomorrow, not when it’s convenient, not when the crowd finally agrees—but today. There comes a moment in every believer’s life when silence feels easier, safer, and more socially acceptable than truth. Yet the call of Christ has never been about comfort; it has always been about conviction. When will you say enough is enough to the noise, the compromise, the slow drift away from what is holy? The world will always offer trends dressed up as truth, but trends fade. Truth does not. Truth stands when opinions crumble, when platforms shift, and when the applause disappears. The question is not whether truth will endure—but whether you will stand with it.

When will you speak truth over trend, even when it costs you something? Living out the words of Jesus—the “Red Letters”—is not a poetic idea; it is a daily decision. It means loving when it’s hard, forgiving when it feels impossible, and choosing righteousness when no one is watching. It means rejecting the temptation to trade eternal purpose for temporary influence. When will you decide that the Gospel is more important than political power, more valuable than popularity, more urgent than fitting in? Because the Gospel does not need to be rebranded to remain relevant—it needs to be lived. Boldly. Faithfully. Without apology.

Today is the day. Not to blend in, but to stand apart. Not to echo culture, but to reflect Christ. Not to soften truth, but to embody it with grace and courage. Enough waiting. Enough hesitating. Enough negotiating with conviction. The world doesn’t need more comfortable Christians—it needs committed ones. So Stand Up. Speak Truth. And let your life answer the questions your heart can no longer ignore. ~OC

You can check out this post in Spoken Word version at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Bearers of the Mat

Today’s a new day!

“And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at a home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.” ~Mark 2:1-4

I have always loved this story. It truly demonstrates the love of friends and our need for solid friendships. The four men in Mark 2, went beyond normal friendship and became “Bearers of the Mat.”

These four friends saw their friend needed a miracle in his life. They heard Jesus was in the area, so they decided to pick up their friend’s mat and get him to the Great Physician. We have no idea how far these four men had to walk carrying their friend, just to get to Jesus. No doubt they were exhausted by the time they reached the door of the house where Jesus was. There they found a new obstacle. The house where Jesus was speaking was beyond packed. But these four men persevered. Their friend needed a miracle and they were determined to get him to Jesus. Even if it meant carrying their friend to the roof and cutting a hole into the roof, so they could lower their friend into the room where Jesus was speaking. Can you imagine what a sight that must have been? What an amazing moment it must have been when after all that hard work, these four friends watched in awe as their friend was completely healed by Jesus. What a day of celebration that must have been.

Every time I read the story in Mark 2, two questions come to mind:

1). Do I have friends like these four men?

2). Am I a friend like these four men?

I pray we will all take the time to check our hearts as we reflect on these two questions. I truly believe Jesus wants each of us to serve one another willingly and wholeheartedly. Let’s become “Bearers of the Mat” ~OC

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Keep Pressing Forward

Today’s a new day! Life is full of hard times. I do not think that is breaking news to anyone. The nightly news point to it. Our neighbors and coworkers talk about it. Our hearts feel it. So many people are going through hard times right now. Let’s face it: Life is hard, even in the best of times. Disappointments, illnesses, loss, broken relationships, dashed dreams. As we walk through these difficult moments, what does the Bible say about getting through adversity?

Plenty, actually! God knows we’re living in a broken world, but He has not left us to suffer alone.

First, when we’re in the midst of hard times, it can be difficult to remember that nothing happens without the knowledge of God, who “works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). You are not victim of random occurrences; you are a child of a Heavenly Father who wants to turn adversity into opportunity.

We also need to keep uppermost in our minds that hardships don’t last forever—but the things we learn from them do. The Apostle Paul writes the following words in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18,

“Therefore we do not lose heart. . . . For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Adversity in God’s hands can help us refrain from our self-dependency and pride. It can push us into deeper intimacy with Jesus. It can redirect our paths toward our greater good, and toward God’s greater glory.

Tough times also can reshape us. Think about Romans 5:1-5, in which Paul says that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope… Or 1 Peter 5:10, in which the apostle Peter teaches that “the God of all grace … after you have suffered a little, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”

Who doesn’t want to be a person of character, full of hope, strong and steadfast?

It’s all in how we react to those tough moments in life isn’t it? A good place to start is to discern the source of the adversity. Is it just circumstances? Maybe you’ve lost your job due to the budget cuts, or your chronic illness is currently getting the best of you. You could be suffering from physical, mental or emotional exhaustion from the current trials you’re facing. Life is hard!

As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey and study God’s word the overall message I continue to hear is to turn to Him and trust Him. Persevere! That’s what Hebrews says: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:36).

Don’t give up! Don’t give in! Don’t opt out! Remember, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

You aren’t going through hard times alone.  No matter what, remember to Keep Pressing Forward. Stay Focused. Finish Strong. ~OC

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Happy New Year!

Today’s a new day! Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025. Not sure about you, but I look forward with great excitement, wondering what God has planned for me this coming new year. What new opportunities will reveal themselves? What new lessons will present themselves? A new year is full of endless possibilities.

As we gear up for a new year, I believe it’s important to take a little time to reflect on the past year. Doing this I believe helps to view each year as a season, understanding that God is Sovereign and has new seasons of experiences and growth to make us more like Him. I can testify 2024 was full of many different emotions. There were moments of grief, but there were also times of joy and happiness. A year filled with many memories and lessons.

As we take some time to reflect back on 2024, it helps us to remember that God is in total control and that we are constantly growing as His children and that He knows the plans He has for each of us. Plans of new wisdom, insight and understanding that He wants to impart to us, if we will allow Him to.

It also gives us an exciting and fresh new outlook of the coming year and enables us to leave the past where it belongs. Not that we forget the past but learn from it and move forward into our present future with open hearts and minds to receive whatever God has for us.

With that said, here are some ways we can look forward to in 2025.

New Beginnings: Start out 2025 with a fresh point of view of new experiences, opportunities, memories and blessings. Have an open mind and heart to where ever God may want to take you with full assurance and confidence that He is always with you. (Matthew 28:19-20)

New Possibilities: There are no limit to what God can do in your life and nothing is impossible with God. God opens doors that no one can shut and also closes doors that no one can open. The possibilities are endless with God. (Philippians 4:13)

New Plans: We walk into 2025 like a blank canvas. Be in prayer for what God has planned for you and be willing to walk by faith in obedience as you follow His leading. Remember that His plans are always for good and not for evil to give you a future and a Hope. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

New Purpose: As you look ahead, God always has a plan and a purpose for what you will go through and experience. Remember that God always has a reason for what He allows in your life and through it you can trust Him completely. (Proverbs 1:3-5)

New Provisions: The Bible says to not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough worries of its own. In 2025, trust in God who knows everything you need. He is our Hope and our Provider. God is faithful and He will do it. (Matthew 6:1-33)

New Growth: When we are willing to let go and let God work in and through us, He will always stretch us and grow us. It is an important part of the growth process. I pray we will all continue to grow in our relationship with God and in His Word. In 2025, allow God to mold you and make you pliable in the potters hand and then watch the master craftsman work in your life in amazing ways.

New Wisdom: With new experiences and new lessons comes new wisdom and insight. Always make it a priority to seek out wisdom as hidden treasure or fine gold. In Proverbs it says that it will be like a garland of grace around your neck and honor you and present you with a crown of splendor. (Proverbs 4:7-9)

Renewed Peace: As you go through new experiences and new adventures whether they are good or bad, my encouragement is to keep your eyes fixed on God and He will give you rest and peace, because He is our peace and loves us and cares for each of us deeply. (John 16:33)

As we spend some time in reflection about 2024, let us give thanks to God for getting us through another year as we look forward to what He has for us in 2025 and praise Him that He is faithful and worthy to be praised. ~OC

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Never Give Up

Today’s a new day! Life can be hard. There are times when we feel like giving up. The weight and challenges of the world can feel overwhelming. But never forget, you are stronger than think. We read in Philippians 4:13, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This isn’t just a feel good verse; no it’s a promise. No matter how hard life gets, you have the strength to keep moving forward. Every challenge you face is an incredible opportunity for growth. The journey might be hard, but it’s forming you into a stronger, more resilient version of yourself. Keep moving forward, even when life is difficult because every step forward brings you closer to your breakthrough. To your purpose in life. Keep holding onto hope. Keep the faith and the strength that you were created with. Remember, you have what it takes to keep persevering. Better days are ahead. Do not miss the lessons during the tough times of your life. Never give up! ~OC

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