Activated for a Purpose

Last week, I needed to pick up a birthday present for my stepdad, so I found myself standing in front of the gift card rack at Walmart.

You know the one. Rows and rows of colorful cards for restaurants, stores, and just about anything else you can imagine. I stood there for a few minutes trying to decide which one he would enjoy most. And as I looked over all those cards, a thought crossed my mind.

Every single one of them looked ready to use. They were colorful, neatly packaged, and each had a dollar amount printed right on the front. Some said $25, others $50 or even $100. But here’s the thing. Until someone takes one to the register, pays for it, and has it activated, it’s just a shiny piece of plastic. It may look like it holds something valuable, but it hasn’t yet been loaded with what it needs to fulfill its purpose.

Standing there in Walmart, I started thinking about how that can be a lot like our spiritual lives. It’s possible to look like we have everything together on the outside. We can attend church, say the right things, stay busy doing good deeds, and even convince others that we’re spiritually strong. But what’s happening on the inside?

Are we spending time with God? Are we allowing Him to shape our hearts, guide our decisions, and fill us with His love? Or have we gotten so caught up in the routines of life that we’re simply going through the motions?

That little gift card reminded me of something important. Looking the part and living the part are two very different things. Unlike those gift cards, our worth isn’t something that has to be activated. God has already given us immeasurable value simply because we are His creation and He loves us. But living out the purpose He has for us? That’s where ​staying connected to Him​ makes all the difference.

We weren’t meant to live this Christian life on our own strength. We need His wisdom when we’re confused, His peace when we’re overwhelmed, His patience when we’re frustrated, and His love when loving others doesn’t come easily.

The beautiful thing is that He doesn’t expect us to manufacture those things ourselves. He invites us to come to Him and be filled.

The apostle Paul prayed this very thing for believers:

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” — Ephesians 3:16 (NLT)

I love those words, glorious, unlimited resources. God isn’t running low on strength, patience, grace, or love. There’s no shortage of what He has to offer us, but we do have to make room for Him in our lives.

Sometimes that means​ slowing down long enough to pray​. Sometimes it’s opening our Bibles instead of reaching for our phones. And sometimes it’s simply being still and remembering that we don’t have to carry everything on our own.

I eventually chose a gift card for my stepdad and went on with my shopping. But that little rack of plastic cards left me with a reminder I didn’t expect to find at Walmart. Don’t be so focused on looking spiritually full that you forget to actually spend time with the One who fills you.

My prayer for all of us this week is that we’ll stay connected to our Source, allowing God’s Spirit to strengthen us from the inside out.

Because a life filled with His love, grace, and purpose is worth far more than anything hanging on that gift card rack.

October 14, 2026 Morning Brew