Tag Archives: Grace

Message In A Minute: Identity

My wife and I were given a great opportunity years ago to attend the Presidential Inauguration.

The speech, the parade, and an Inaugural Ball.

We were excited and had to find appropriate clothing for the big day.

I went to a local tuxedo rental shop. As I was being fitted, the lady helping me made small talk and asked where I would be wearing the tuxedo. I told her I was attending an Inaugural Ball.

Suddenly everything changed in the tuxedo rental shop. My last name happened to be the last name of the incoming Governor in my state. So the shop employees all assumed I was a family member of the new Governor.

I didn’t realize they assumed this, I later figured it out after I left the shop.

To say I got great service would be a huge understatement. The manager, the assistant manager and every employee in the shop did absolutely everything they could to help me.

I was blown away by all the attention.

In society, when you are associated with a powerful person, it changes how people view you. It changes the way people interact with you. It changes almost everything.

I am not related to the now former Governor of my state.

But I am associated with Jesus, I do my best to follow His teachings, I trust in His grace, and I am forever thankful for the peace I have in Him.

I may not get special treatment in society for being associated with Jesus. But I get assurance of God’s goodness all day long, every day of my life. And I am inspired to treat the world differently because I follow Him.

My name carries very little weight with it.

But the name of Jesus is more than world famous, more than well respected, it is the very power of the created universe in five simple letters.

Find your identity in Jesus, there is no need for a tuxedo or a beautiful dress to impress Him.

He accepts you exactly as you are.

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: Celebrate On The Way

I helped out at a church 90 miles from my home for a while.

I listened to lots of podcasts, music, and audio books during the long drive to and from the church.

A couple of days every week, I would see a gentleman standing on the side of the rode near a rest area. This special needs man would stand and beckon anyone, but especially truck drivers to blast their horn. His care giver would sit in a car nearby to watch over him while he pleaded with the drivers.

I wish you could’ve seen this man celebrate when the horns would sound. He would dance and clap like he won the lottery. 

He enjoyed it more than I could explain, but I grew to enjoy it myself. I would hold my horn down as long as I could see him.

His dancing was infectious, his celebration was inspiring, and his ability to find joy in the simple things brings a smile to my face even while I’m writing this.

Find ways to bring joy to those around you.

But just as important, let those same people fill you with joy.

After all, they are God’s handiwork, don’t let them pass you by without celebrating.

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: More Like Them

Today, many adults see teenagers in negative ways, and sometimes that’s justified. 

But I want to be more like them.

Because they are honest, they haven’t developed a false self to hide behind like many adults. They are open to the challenge to love others. Sure they are selfish in some ways like you and I, but they admit it. 

If God speaks to them, they will respond. 

For over a decade, my wife and I were Youth Leaders/Pastors.

I’ve been in a church van on Pike’s Peak, hiding in a tree at a campground at 2 am, up all night laughing so hard I could barely breathe, praying in a hospital waiting room, crying at a funeral, speaking at a school, in the middle of a creek looking for a cell phone, and many other crazy places with teenagers. 

Not to mention so many graduations I have lost track.

Thousands of lessons, thousands of hours of prayer, hard work, and fun.

Hundreds of young lives.

Some nights we had more teenagers in our meeting than the church had in the main service. Other nights we had just a handful and the overall numbers didn’t matter to us.

Some mornings I will wake up thinking about one of the teenagers we were blessed to know. I always remember something unique about them and take it as a cue to pray for them.

If over the years we hear that one of them is doing well, we celebrate. If we hear one is hurting, we hurt.

Some of them are now in ministry, some may be strung out on drugs at this very moment. Some are mothers or fathers with children of their own. Most of them we haven’t seen in years. But, we are thankful that God allowed us to be a part of their lives, each one was created in His image.

It was frustrating, exhilarating, exhausting and rewarding. And we loved each one of them. 

We still do.

If you have teens in your life, reach out to them, encourage them. Adolescence is a difficult time for many. Those teens around you could use a trustworthy adult in their life.

If you are a teen, find adults you can trust to talk with. You may not need them at this moment, but you may want someone to listen and encourage you in the future.

And no matter your age, be like some of the amazing young people I’ve known. 

Be open and honest with God. 

He’ll take it from there.

-Tom Wise