Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtJake sat alone in the back pew of the church, a place he often retreated to when life felt too heavy to bear. He had been coming to this church for months, hoping to find something—anything—that could break the cycle of frustration and failure that had defined his life for as long as he could remember. Jake loved God, but he felt stuck. Every time he tried to move forward, life seemed to knock him two steps back.Jake’s story was a lot like the men who gathered around David in the cave of Adullam. He was distressed, in debt, and discontented. At thirty-six years old, Jake’s life was nothing like he’d imagined it would be. His job barely covered his bills, and his credit card debt was a growing mountain that felt impossible to climb. Relationships? Those were a mess too. Jake’s bitterness toward people who had hurt him kept him isolated, and he spent more time blaming others for his problems than looking for solutions. He didn’t see himself as a leader, let alone someone who could make a difference in the world.It was a conversation with his pastor that began to change everything. After service one Sunday, Jake lingered in the sanctuary longer than usual. The pastor approached him, simply asking, “How are you really doing, Jake?” Something about the question broke through Jake’s defenses, and he found himself sharing the weight of his struggles. The pastor listened, and then he said something Jake never forgot: “God hasn’t given up on you, and neither should you. You’ve been waiting for life to change, but maybe it’s time to take a step forward and trust God to meet you there.”Jake wasn’t sure what that step would be, but the pastor suggested starting small. “Why don’t you join the setup team next Sunday? We could use the help, and I think you’d enjoy being part of the crew.” Jake hesitated but agreed. It seemed like a minor commitment—helping set up chairs and equipment before service—but it turned out to be the first of many steps that would lead to transformation.At first, Jake felt awkward and out of place. But as the weeks went on, he began to notice something: the team wasn’t just setting up chairs; they were building relationships. Conversations before service turned into prayers for one another, and Jake started to feel a sense of belonging he hadn’t experienced in years. Serving gave him a purpose, and for the first time in a long time, he felt like he was part of something bigger than himself.But it wasn’t just the act of serving that changed Jake—it was what God began to do in his heart. One day, during a small group discussion, the topic of financial stewardship came up. Jake admitted he felt overwhelmed by debt and didn’t know where to start. A couple in the group shared how they had overcome similar struggles by following biblical principles: tithing, budgeting, and trusting God with their finances. Inspired, Jake decided to give it a try. It wasn’t easy, but as he began to tithe faithfully and make small changes in his spending, he started to see progress. For the first time in years, he felt hope instead of despair.The hardest part of Jake’s journey, though, was letting go of bitterness. He had held onto anger for so long that it felt like part of his identity. But as he heard messages on forgiveness and witnessed the grace others extended to him, he realized it was time to release the weight of his past. Through prayer and accountability in his small group, Jake began the painful but freeing process of forgiving those who had hurt him. In doing so, he discovered a joy he hadn’t known was possible.Over time, Jake’s life began to look very different. He was no longer just a man sitting in the back pew, feeling stuck. He became a leader in the church, mentoring others who were struggling with the same challenges he had faced. His financial situation improved as he continued to practice stewardship, and his relationships flourished as he let go of blame and embraced responsibility. Jake even took on the role of leading his small group, guiding others toward the transformation he had experienced.When people asked Jake how he had changed so much, his answer was simple: “It wasn’t me. It was God. But it started when I stopped waiting for life to get better and decided to trust Him enough to take a step forward.”Jake’s story reminds us that no one is too far gone for God to redeem. Like the men in the cave with David, we may come to Him distressed, in debt, or discontented, but we don’t have to stay that way. Through serving, building relationships, and embracing responsibility, we can experience the transformation that only God can bring. If you’re feeling stuck today, take heart. God isn’t finished with you yet. Take a step forward, and trust Him to meet you there.
Romans 12:2 (NLT) "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
If today's Fresh Manna was a blessing to you, please hit the "LIKE" button below! And if you'd like to tell me why, write me at FreshMannaFeedback@gmail.comHelp us reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ!
or Donate Here:How are your donations used? Published by Pastor Tim BurtCopyright© 2025. All rights reservedhttps://TimBurt.org
