In the wake of tragedy and loss, how do we move forward with purpose? This episode explores the profound gift of individual life and calling, especially during seasons of uncertainty and grief. Anna reflects on the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk and wrestles with questions of impact, comparison, and faithful stewardship. Through the lens of Mary Oliver's poetry, the parable of the talents, and stories of "small" faithfulness with generational impact, this conversation invites you to consider: What will you do with your one wild and precious life? The answer might be simpler—and more profound—than you think.

Key Points

• Everyone Gets Their Own Life: The realization that each person receives their own unique life as a generous gift from God—to steward, build, or waste as they choose

• The Danger of Comparison and Judgment: How both comparison (feeling inadequate) and judgment (criticizing others) rob us of power and keep us from our calling

• Abiding Over Striving: True fruitfulness comes only from abiding in Christ, not from our own efforts or productivity

• The Right Face on God: Like the one-talent servant, having a distorted view of God's character leads to fear, hiding, and ineffectiveness

• Small Faithfulness, Generational Impact: Examples of "ordinary" faithfulness (the mother who packed the loaves and fishes, Susanna Wesley) that echoed through generations

• The Point of Redemption: You may be the turning point in your family line—and healing may take decades, but it impacts thousands of generations

• Belonging, Stewardship, and Courage: The three core values that undergird purposeful living and kingdom impact

• Daring Greatly: The courage to step into the arena of your own life rather than standing on the outside looking in

 

Scriptures Referenced

• John 15 (entire chapter): The Parable of the Vine and the Branches—on abiding in Christ

• John 15:9: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in my love"

• Matthew 25:14-30: The Parable of the Talents

• Deuteronomy 6: Teaching children "on the way, walking on the road, when we rise and when we sleep"

• Westminster Catechism: "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."

Books and Resources Mentioned

• "The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver (poem)

• "The True Vine" by Andrew Murray: 31 chapters, three pages each, a deep dive into John 15 and abiding in Christ

• "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" (hymn): "Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace"

• "Step by Step" by Rich Mullins (song)

• Westminster Catechism (set to music on Amazon Music)

• "Daring Greatly" speech by Theodore Roosevelt (April 23, 1910)

• "Daring Greatly" by Brené Brown (quote about vulnerability and courage)

• Les Misérables (1990s film with Uma Thurman and Claire Danes): The redemption story of Jean Valjean and the line "I've ransomed you from evil"

• Susanna Wesley: Mother of John and Charles Wesley, founders of the Methodist Church

• Previous podcast episode with Andrea Johnson on core values -  Watch the episode : https://youtu.be/fzQZ2aVJink Listen to the Episode - https://sheconsidersafield.com/knowing-and-operating-in-your-core-values-with-andrea-johnson/

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MUSIC CREDITS

Theme music: Brave New World

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Artist: Fantoms

Inspiring Hopeful

Audio source: Jamendo

Artist: Aliaksei Yukhnevich

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