zcv

In a world filled with noise and distractions, the simple act of listening has become a rare and precious gift. We are often so busy forming our own response, waiting for our turn to speak, or scrolling through our phones that we fail to truly hear the person right in front of us. Listening is more than just staying silent while someone else talks; it is an active posture of the heart that communicates value, respect, and love. It makes people feel seen and understood.

We often spend our days focused on what we want to do—the career milestones we aim to achieve, the trips we want to take, or the possessions we desire. But at the end of the day, when the noise settles, what truly matters is not what we accumulated, but who we were to the people around us. If you could listen in on a conversation about your life, what would you hope to hear? Would people speak of your kindness, your integrity, and your faith? Or would the conversation revolve around your busyness and stress?

If you look around today, it is impossible to ignore how fast the world is moving. Technology shifts overnight, cultural norms evolve constantly, and even our own lives—our families, careers, and bodies—are in a perpetual state of flux. Sometimes, this change is exciting, bringing new opportunities and growth. But often, it can feel disorienting. We wake up one day and realize the neighborhood we grew up in looks different, the job we knew inside out has new rules, or the people we rely on have moved into new seasons.

We all have dreams—those big, exciting things we hope to do "someday." Maybe your bucket list includes traveling to a specific country, running a marathon, learning a new language, or finally writing that book. These aspirations are wonderful; they speak to the adventurous spirit God placed within us. They give us something to look forward to and strive for. But as we make our lists of places to go and things to conquer, it’s worth pausing to ask a deeper question: Does my bucket list reflect only what I want to do, or does it also reflect who I want to become?

The start of a new year often brings a flurry of activity. We buy new planners, sign up for gym memberships, and mentally draft lists of habits we want to build or break. Something is refreshing about a clean slate—a chance to hit reset and envision a better version of ourselves. Whether you’ve written down a detailed list of resolutions or simply have a quiet hope for change in your heart, the desire for growth is a good and natural thing.

The thought that people are always watching you might sound intimidating, like you are constantly being judged. However, from a perspective of faith, it is not a reason for fear but an opportunity for influence. Whether we realize it or not, our colleagues, neighbors, friends, and even our children are observing how we live. They see how we handle stress, how we treat the person at the checkout counter, and how we respond to disappointment. Our lives are a living testimony, speaking volumes without saying a word.

Few things create anxiety quite like watching a bank account dwindle. When money is running low, the weight of the world can feel heavy on our shoulders. The stress of paying bills, buying groceries, and providing for our families can easily overwhelm our thoughts and steal our peace. It is in these moments of financial strain that our faith is often tested most intensely, forcing us to decide where we will place our ultimate trust.