One Sunday in March, God reminded me that I am His and He is mine. The lyrics to Cody Carnes’ song “Nothing Else” resonated in the depths of my heart;
“You’re all that matters, Jesus
I’m coming back to what really matters
I’m caught up in Your presence
I just want to sit here at Your feet
I’m caught up in this holy moment
I never wanna leave
And oh, I’m not here for blessings
Jesus, You don’t owe me anything
More than anything that You can do
Oh, I just want You
Nothing else, nothing else
Nothing else will do…”
In the words of Pastor Mitch, “Even if God does nothing this weekend but solidify in my heart that He is with me, I’m okay.” Although he was testifying about his experience at the youth retreat, it felt as though he was speaking directly to my heart.
So often, I only recognize God’s hand in my life when I pause and reflect, seeing how gently He has been shaping my heart. The noise of the world can drown out His still, small voice, yet when I center myself in His Word and ask Him to fill my heart with His desires, His leading becomes clear once again.
I am grateful for a God who welcomes me as I am but loves me too much to leave me unchanged. When I intentionally slow down, even His faintest whisper stirs my spirit, and suddenly His promises shine with fresh meaning—like heaven’s fireworks lighting the path before me. And so, I ask myself: Am I willing to lay down my life and say, “Lord, all I want is You”? Apparently not. At least, not yet.
Last June, following a sermon on contentment by Pastor Cassie, God gently highlighted the areas of my life that needed to change and whispered, “Stop playing it safe.” He invited me to trust Him more deeply—beyond my job, my abilities, and the security I tried to build for myself. Yet fear and anxiety often dictated my decisions, leaving me weary, empty, depressed, and anxious.
Although I had once agreed to pursue a new path if my work no longer sparked passion, pride kept me clinging to identity and security instead of to God. A decade later (2024), finding myself in the same place of exhaustion revealed how far I had drifted from seeking Him first. My exile was of my own making, yet His invitation remained—gentle, patient, and full of hope.
In Ezekiel 11:19, God offers hope to the exiled Israelites: “And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh.” This transformation is the gentle, powerful work of the Holy Spirit. Our part is to turn from our sin and open our hearts to Him. When we do, God breathes new life into us. So, I ask: Am I willing to accept this new life and say, “Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew a loyal spirit within me”? Apparently yes. At least for now.
On January 28, 2026, I released myself from the bondage of stress, anxiety, and the need for financial security. Two weeks prior, I was informed that my position was affected due to a lack of work, and that I could opt for one of four settlements, including the Public Service Voluntary Departure Program, which I chose.
From the moment I hit send on that notification, the Lord washed away my stress and crushed my anxiety. The need to obsess over every possible scenario vanished. For over a month now, I have experienced the presence of the Prince of Peace in every area of my life, every day, and even in every ailment of my body (I have been migraine-free for four days now). This is a miracle!
My newest coping strategy is to cling to the promise found in Philippians 4:7, rather than resorting to compulsive behaviors and addictions. This promise of peace from God transcends anything we can understand—a peace that guards our hearts and minds when we come to Him in prayer and gratitude. This peace is not shaped by our circumstances but is rooted in God’s presence, His faithfulness, and His unchanging love.
When asked, “What’s next?” I respond, “God has a plan.” If asked, “What are you doing about it?” I reply, “Being obedient.” If someone says, “How can you afford to go back to school full-time?” I answer, “God will provide.”
“Seriously, though, you can’t be dismissive or flippant about it.”
“I am not. I am simply living with surrendered faith, knowing that God has me covered. I am going back to school in September, and in the meantime, I am leaning into God for guidance and direction. This freedom from migraines, anxiety, stress, and obsessive thoughts is worth far more than any number of possessions or financial security. For once, my identity is rooted in Christ. He alone knows the outcome. “He is with me; I’m okay.”
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, God tells us that we are His ambassadors: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Lord, thank You that in Christ I am made new from the inside out. Your Spirit gives me a life I could never create on my own. I am not simply improved; I am recreated by Your grace. Teach me to see myself, others, and all creation through this new covenant You’ve established. Help me recognize the deep renewal You are bringing to everything under Christ’s authority and shape my heart to live in this new way with gratitude and awe. Amen.
Sources: Life Application Study Bible NLT version, biblegateway.com, Nothing Else song by Cody Carnes, Sermons from Pastors Mitch and Cassie, Life Centre, Kanata Campus.
