Life, as I look back, has been a very interesting and rewarding journey. I see the joys of my childhood growing up, the years as a teenager trying to figure out the life I thought I had figured out, finding my soul mate whom I would begin a family with and have grandchildren with and then have to experience the loss of that soul mate. My journey has been filled with many joys and sorrows, but in the midst of it all, I found the only common denominator that can help us cope and understand life’s successes and failures. An overwhelming and never ending love that comes from our Creator. In this mysterious love, we may not find all the answers we are searching for, but we can rest in it and know we will never be abandoned.

I have discovered that there are many pathways to this great love of our Creator. That is the beauty and the mystery that draws us towards what we cannot explain. It captures us when we are not expecting it and it helps us find purpose, and at times, it’s a pathway back to our journey. Each of our journeys are as unique as our fingerprint. While they are all different, they are all intertwined and were designed to work together for the good of all. In the wilderness of life, we can bring purpose to those less fortunate and help them find hope so they are able to experience the powerful love that helps us journey through life. In and through this Love, we can help a hurting world and leave no one feeling abandoned or orphaned. For those of us who trust and live within this great love, the story never ends. Let’s work together, setting aside our differences, and help those who may only be existing.

I have also discovered, through my journey, that in my searching I was being sought. That when I thought I had found something, I had already been found. That when I thought I possessed something, I was already possessed by the Creator. I realized it wasn’t just me and my Creator standing there but all of humanity and it was up to me to allow His grace to show me His will and allow this new faith to begin working for the good of all. In my surrender the Creator had taken hold of me and I knew I didn’t want to ever let go, but more important, I discovered my real identity and found rest in knowing who I already was, one with God.

I’ve always wondered what could happen if God’s people came together, even just a little bit. Early on, that wonder turned into a dream: God’s people obeying Jesus, dropping barriers, and uniting around the things we share—namely Jesus, His gospel, and His salvation. After all, Scripture teaches us: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4–6)

Over 40 years later, my wonder and dream became FaithSharing. In our small town in South Louisiana, a group of God’s people came together across different backgrounds, cultures, and faith streams. The results of our small efforts at being one were far more than I could have ever imagined! Why are we so surprised when God does exactly what He says He will do?

Our coming together quickly morphed into our going together. We cannot truly experience the blessing of coming together without wanting to bless others. Following the Lord’s leadership, we found places where we could cooperate to do good works in Jesus’ name. Once again, we discovered God to be faithful to His Word. Jesus prayed: “May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me.” (John 17:21) To me, that is the theme verse of FaithSharing. May the world believe God sent His Son because we choose to obey Jesus’ call to be one.

I count myself blessed as I have been given many days and many opportunities in my life to use that which my Creator has provided for me to help others. In my humble beginnings, I as a youth, I found myself questioning the way people interacted with one another.  Where was the love, the kindness, the care that we were to express for those created in the same image? As I grew older I began to understand how we have allowed words like love, kindness, care to have different meanings in different situations or different cultural sittings. Early in my journey I challenged myself to define the concepts of love for others, expressing kind in relationships and providing care to individuals in need within the framework of my spiritual walk. This challenged lead me to understand the extreme grace that I had received for all the days I had not loved, shown kindness or care for those at my doorstep. My path changed, my focus changed and my journey had purpose and direction.

Now that I am in my sixties, I reflect often on this fantastic journey and the many paths I am allowed to walk each day. The opportunities I am given each day to care for the spiritual needs of people leave me speechless. But for all that I am allowed to be a part of my heart is aware that there is still a desire for genuine unconditional love in the world. A love for people that can transcends all barriers, belief systems and cultural beliefs. Kindness has not found its place in our relationships with a world in need of a kind spirit. Our desire to care for those who are different is still not as important as our focus on our differences and the desire only to care for ourselves. When does your journey change? When do you choose a different path?  

Love breaks down barriers, kindness opens doors and caring for the daily needs of others changes lives and as lives are changes so goes our world. What an interesting thought that together we can change our world in a way that pleases our Creator. I count my blessings in the simplest ways. I have a Creator who loves me without question. My relationship with my wife has spanned 43 years and counting. I have seen my children become adults and now walk their own journeys and we have the blessings of many grandchildren. I have known health, shelter, food, and education. I have known days of plenty and days of not so much. How can we who have been giving so much not find it within ourselves to reach out and care for those have not known these blessing.

I am encouraged that in the day ahead my path will cross with others who are willing to change in the direction of reflecting the image of the Creator.  Our focus will be one of service to others. And our lives will be changed through touching the needs of the world.

I am still learning how to put my journey into words, but I can see that God has been shaping my heart for a long time. I have grown up with a deep desire to understand people, to bring others together, and to discover what it truly means to live out faith beyond words, titles, traditions, or walls. In this season of life, I find myself standing at the intersection of faith, work, calling, and service. I have been blessed with opportunities to grow professionally, to serve in ministry, to learn from those who have walked before me, and to listen closely to the questions my generation is asking. Many are not rejecting God as much as they are longing to see a faith that is real, humble, unified, and alive. My journey has taught me that there is more to faith than simply knowing the right things or attending the right places. There is more to it than this. There is a deeper calling to love others well, to listen before speaking, to serve without needing recognition, and to allow the Spirit of God to change the way we see people, purpose, success, and even ourselves. I believe we are called to be available to others, especially those who feel forgotten, disconnected, or spiritually orphaned. When we set aside our differences and begin to see one another through the love of God, we make room for healing, belonging, and transformation. I am still learning, still growing, and still being shaped. But I am convinced that when ordinary people surrender their lives to the love and grace of God, their stories can become part of something much greater than themselves. My hope is to walk faithfully, love deeply, and help others discover that they are not alone on the journey.