October 24, 2025
I am grateful for the daily manna.
I’ve shared this before and I will type it again; what a wildly fun, scary, exciting and beautiful personal growth year this has been, this zany year of 2025!
The focus word I received from the Holy Spirit this time last year was Immanuel. The word just stuck on me, and it seemingly appeared everywhere. It caught my attention until my focus turned to the meaning of this name. Through my active participation with His name, I began to recognize His withness – His very real presence.
Immanuel: God with us.
Recently, I read and re-read some familiar passages regarding the life of John the Baptizer. And in so doing, I realized he and I have something in common, we’ve both given into the temptation of allowing disappointment to sour our perspective – temporarily. Therefore, I hold no amount of judgment towards John because he once sent a bitter message full of insecurity to Jesus through his disciples.
“Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?””
Matthew 11:3 ESV
Ouch!
John had every reason to believe Jesus was truly the Son of God, the Messiah. He had possibly more proof than anyone else alive at the time.
- John was the miraculously conceived son of the priest, Zechariah, and his barren wife Elizabeth.
- His birth was prophesied by the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah.
- His conception was announced to his father, Zechariah, by the messenger angel, Gabriel, within the Holy of Holies.
- John leapt in his mother’s womb at the presence of Immanuel within the virgin, Mary’s womb.
- John lived as a Nazarene, filled with the Holy Spirit and fulfilled his calling of preaching repentance and preparing the way for Jesus, Messiah.
- John declared, “He must increase, but I must decrease.””
- John baptized Jesus in the Jordan. He witnessed the heavens opening, the Holy Spirit, represented as a dove, descended on Jesus, and John heard the voice of God declaring Jesus as His beloved Son, the very Son of God, full of authority.
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’””
Matthew 3:1-3 ESV
John was living his calling and his destiny. Everything was playing out just as anticipated; John was calling people to repentance and baptizing converts. The Good News was proclaimed and people began to follow. His ministry was successful, and he was pointing to the One greater for Whom John had prepared the way.
Then, suddenly, John found himself in prison awaiting execution.
Wait, what?
Does this sound vaguely familiar?
You know, I know we’re called, my dear man and me. I know we’re where we’re supposed to be. And I know we are living smack dab in the middle of our Father’s generosity. We say it all the time, “How do we get to live here?”
We are in love with the people in our new hometown. The ministry work is bountiful, the harvest is ripe, and our church is growing by leaps and bounds. Some of our best nutrition comes from getting to watch people fall in love with Jesus, and in person, get to hear their transformation stories.
And, that’s usually when it happens.
Opposition. The stuff of life. That’s the rub of living in a fallen world. Just when we’re living in our sweet spot, and catching the biggest glimpse of heaven, we get pushed back into the reality Jesus warned us about. James told us to “count it all joy” when challenges come our way. Peter said,
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
1 Peter 4:12 ESV
Thus, the wild roller coaster ride of 2025. (Nothing like the trauma John was facing.) We know we have more to learn. That’s partly why our Father invited us here. “Come and learn,” He beckoned.
The change He’s wrought in me this year is my determined desire to dwell in His withness. His presence is my daily manna.
I’m sad and humbled to confess, there have been days, even a week or so, throughout this year, in which I’ve chosen to go spiritually hungry because my eyes were not looking for Him, and I missed His provision for that day.
Yet, even my sins of doubt, discouragement, and fear were useful tools in his loving hands to draw me back to Himself. God wastes nothing in attempting to return us obediently in faith to His side.
At times, when my focus has been on the world, it’s broken ways have proved unsatisfying. I was hungry and thirsty and recognized the Holy Spirit quickening my heart. I imagine Jesus tipping my chin to look up.
There in front of me, and easily within reach, the Bread of Life. Manna and Living water for a parched soul. His withness never wavers. His protection and provision have never failed, no not once on this crazy roller coaster known as 2025.
“And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.””
Luke 7:22-23 ESV
I believe Jesus was not offended by John’s question. Surely He was full of compassion for John and understood why he was feeling disappointed and maybe even forsaken. Possibly Jesus felt even greater compassion because He knew that He too would be betrayed and killed at some point.
So in response to John, the servant needing refreshment, Jesus sent the perfect manna. He sent the prophetic words of Isaiah, which could only be fulfilled in the Messiah. John knew exactly what Jesus was communicating to him.
I Am He.
And so I rejoice in these words of Jesus, just as I imagine John the Baptizer rejoiced and danced in prison on receipt of this manna.
Whatever the circumstances, no matter my feelings or limited understanding, whether I’m full of faith and thriving or barely hanging on, Jesus is with me. I believe He is not offended by my insecurities. He loves me. He knows what I need, and always provides the perfect portion with which to fortify my body, mind and heart so that I can keep serving Him in spirit and in truth.
Eyes on Jesus and shine,
Lisa
Something to Ponder with Jesus:
What about you, dear Reader?
Maybe not this year, but have you ever slammed into disappointment?
Can you relate to my description of my roller coaster year?
Below are a few scriptures. And here’s an episode from The Bible Recap (Matthew 11) to add fodder to your reflection time with Jesus.
Perhaps you will want to take a moment to read, and talk to Jesus about your thoughts and feelings regarding trials.
You might choose to journal a prayer based on one of the scripture passages.
My prayer for you is that you will recognize Immanuel as you ponder.
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:8-11 ESV
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 ESV
“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Isaiah 35:1-10 ESV
Awww, Kym, thank you for creating a space to share. And thank you for responding with your own story. I love that God already knows that we are weak. Keep writing and encouraging us with your stories and faith.
Eyes on Jesus and shine,
Lisa
This was very relatable to me. We were brought up short a couple of years ago when everything was going so well and I felt like we were living our dream, and the rug was pulled out from under us. (Again, nowhere even close to the tragedy John experienced!) I struggled and God continued to be patient and faithful and guided me through those hard days. And still does when I hit those inevitable rough patches. What a comfort to know that he is WITH me – with each of us – through every high and low, and his presence is an incredible gift. Thank you for sharing with Scripture and a Snapshot!
Your post reminds I need to revisit John and the scripture Isiah 35 is something surely to cling to in this world today. Have a blessed week ahead. 🙂