Sometimes we sense a calling from God to make a change in our lives, stop a hurtful habit, give more, or step into an opportunity to help someone. But even when we’re convinced God is leading us to take action, there may still be challenges to overcome. We may face people who criticize or judge us, tell us we’re wasting our time, or convince us we’re going to fail. So what do we do when our sense of calling is met with negative reactions? How do we tune out the critics and doubters and keep moving forward with the purpose God has placed on our hearts?

Sometimes God puts something on our hearts – a change we need to make, an opportunity to serve, or a step of faith He’s calling us to take. And usually our first instinct is to make a plan and get to work. But there’s a crucial step we can’t afford to skip: prayer. We need to talk to God, because prayer gives us the strength to follow His lead and the faith to step into the unknown. So what does it look like to pray before I act?

There are moments when we feel compelled to do something—an urge, a burden, a calling that won’t let us stay still. Sometimes God places that kind of burden on our hearts, giving us a desire to take action. But what do we do with it? Do we step into the unknown and follow where He leads, or do we let fear, priorities, or selfishness keep us from acting? Nehemiah had something on his heart that he couldn’t ignore, so he did something about it. What can his decisive actions teach us about responding when God places something on our hearts?

Two of the hardest things about waiting are the uncertainty and the lack of control. When I'm not sure what is going to happen or when it's going to happen, or when there's nothing I can do to speed up or influence the process, it's easy to become anxious and frustrated. When it comes to waiting on God's timing, those feelings can become overwhelming. And nowhere is that waiting more profound than when we think about God's promise of something better beyond this life. Is that promise real? And if it is, is it worth the wait?

Years ago, Tom Petty sang, "The waiting is the hardest part." He was right—we hate to wait. We get especially frustrated when we're waiting on God to answer our prayers or make His direction clear. But sometimes God uses those seasons of waiting to shape us, mold us into who He wants us to be, smooth out our rough edges, and strengthen our faith. While we're waiting for God to work around us, He's often doing His greatest work within us. In those moments, I need to remember that His shaping, His crafting, and His timing are all worth the wait.

We live in a world that expects everything now. Faster shipping, instant answers, immediate results—we hate to wait. But beneath our impatience is often a desire for control. What if God is calling us to let go of that control and trust His timing instead?

In ancient Israel, God's people were commanded to spend one week each year living in temporary shelters. It was part remembrance and part celebration. God wanted them to remember how He rescued and cared for their ancestors in the wilderness while also celebrating His continued faithfulness and provision. What can God's people today learn from this ancient festival? How do we intentionally remember God's faithfulness and celebrate the countless ways He continues to provide for us?

The Day of Atonement was one of the most important days on Israel's calendar. More than a reminder of sin, it was a powerful reminder of God's grace and His desire to bring forgiveness and restoration to His people. Today, we no longer look to sacrifices or rituals—we look to Jesus, whose sacrifice on the cross provides the atonement we all need.

The Feast of Trumpets is one of the most mysterious festivals in the Old Testament. Unlike the other Holy Days, God gave very little explanation for it. Yet throughout Israel's history, the sound of a trumpet meant it was time to stop, listen, and respond. What does that teach us about God? Is He trying to get our attention today?

The Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, was a festival in which God's people offered some of the best crops He had blessed them with. It wasn't about paying God back—it was about thankfulness. Everyone participated because everyone had received blessings from God. While we don't offer our best grain to God today, we still have every reason to be thankful—not for crops and livestock, but for grace, provision, acceptance, and connection. This ancient festival can still teach us some things about gratitude today.