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One Day Every Knee Shall Bow

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There’s a day coming when the noise of the world will fade. No more headlines, no more debates, no more striving for power or control.ONLY SILENCE! Only silence before the throne of the One whose name is above every name.

The Apostle Paul wrote these words with divine certainty:

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(Philippians 2:10–11, KJV)

Those words are not merely poetic – they are prophetic. They remind us that all of history is moving toward a divine appointment. One day, every ruler and every servant, every skeptic and every saint, every voice that ever spoke will acknowledge one truth: Jesus Christ is Lord.

Today, the world often forgets that. We see pride exalted, truth dismissed, and hearts that chase everything but God. Many live as if His authority is optional, as though eternity is a story for another time. But even in the middle of confusion, Christ still reigns. Heaven has not lost its order, and the throne of God is still occupied.

That coming day will not be about religion or reputation. It will be a day of revelation. The One who once wore a crown of thorns will appear crowned with glory. The hands once nailed to a cross will be the same hands that hold the universe in perfect power.

Every knee will bow – some in adoration, others in awe, and sadly, some in regret. Every tongue will confess –  some with joy, others with trembling.

But here is the beauty of grace: we do not have to wait for that day to acknowledge Him. We can bow now. We can surrender while mercy still speaks. Because when you bow before Him in this life, you find freedom, not fear; peace, not punishment.

Bowing is not merely a gesture. It is a posture of the heart. It means laying down pride, control, and self-will, and saying, “Lord, You are God, and I am not.” That’s where true peace begins.

The world teaches us to rise higher, to fight harder, to always be in control. But in God’s Kingdom, victory begins on our knees. That’s where strength is renewed, direction is found, and burdens are lifted.

So today, take a quiet moment and let this truth sink deep into your heart:
There will come a day when every knee shall bow. The question is, will you bow now in worship or later in realization?

If Jesus is already Lord of your life, let your confession be bold and joyful. Let every word you speak and every act of love you offer declare that He reigns.
If He is not yet Lord in your heart, know this ….. He is not waiting to condemn you. He is waiting to receive you. His grace still calls, His arms are still open, and His mercy still whispers, “Come.”

One day, when time meets eternity and all creation stands before Him, there will be no debate, no division, no denial only truth shining brighter than the sun:
Jesus Christ is Lord.

So bow now.
Confess now.
Live now in full surrender to the One who reigns forever.

This post is part of my Steps of Purpose blog, where faith meets everyday life. Share this reflection with someone who needs the reminder that Jesus still reigns.


Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

When Was the Last Time You Encouraged Someone?

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When was the last time you encouraged someone? Not in passing, not a quick “You’ve got this,” but the kind of encouragement that lingers, that makes someone’s shoulders relax, their spirit lift, their hope return?

We live in a world where people are quietly battling storms we never see. Behind smiles are silent struggles. Behind laughter are unspoken fears. Yet, too often, we scroll, observe, and move on, telling ourselves, “They’ll be fine.” Maybe they will. But what if your voice, your message, or your simple word could be the very thing that reminded them that God hasn’t forgotten them?

Encouragement doesn’t always need grand gestures. Sometimes it’s as small as a message that says, “I was thinking of you today.” A comment that says, “You’re doing better than you think.” A prayer whispered on someone’s behalf when they can’t find the words themselves. It’s in the quiet moments of reaching out that heaven’s comfort finds its way through us to another soul.

The Bible reminds us:

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”- 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Encouragement builds what life tries to tear down. It mends hearts that disappointment has cracked. It tells the weary soul, “You’re not forgotten.” And the beautiful thing? You don’t have to have all the answers or fix someone’s situation. Sometimes, just showing that you care is enough to rekindle faith in someone who was close to giving up.

I often wonder how many people go to bed replaying harsh words, yet could have gone to sleep lighter if someone had simply said, “I believe in you.”
How many have walked away from their calling because they thought no one noticed their efforts?
Encouragement is a seed. You may never see how it grows, but it always does.

Jesus was a master encourager. He saw value where others saw failure. He spoke hope into fishermen, faith into doubters, and love into the rejected. He called people by their purpose, not their pain. Every encounter with Him left people standing taller, not because life suddenly got easier, but because they realized they weren’t walking alone.

You and I have that same ability. To see beyond what’s visible. To speak life instead of adding to the noise. To be a light in someone’s dim day. You may think your words don’t matter, but God has a way of using the smallest gestures to make eternal impact.

So maybe today’s question isn’t just, “Who has encouraged you lately?”
Maybe it’s “Who can you encourage today?”

Reach out to that friend you haven’t heard from. Tell that coworker they’re doing well. Compliment that young person trying to find their way. Leave a kind comment online. You never know whose hope might hang on that one act of kindness.

Let’s be known for how we lift, not how we critique.
For how we build, not how we tear down.
The world doesn’t need more noise; it needs more light.

So once again, let me ask you, when was the last time you encouraged someone?
If it’s been a while, today’s the perfect day to start.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

Obedience vs. Convenience

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Last night, I listened attentively to the words of a visiting preacher from Trinidad, Mr. Richardd Trotman, who shared a stirring message from the book of Jonah. Though it’s a familiar story, it never fails to expose the subtle ways our hearts sometimes choose convenience over obedience.

Jonah’s story begins with a clear instruction from God: “Arise, go to Nineveh.” But instead of obeying, Jonah decided to run in the opposite direction. How many times have we done the same? We hear God’s voice calling us to a task, a place, or a change, but instead, we board a ship sailing toward comfort, ease, and self-will.

There’s always a ship ready to take you away from the direction of God. The enemy makes sure of it. He’ll make disobedience seem easy, smooth, and logical –  “There’s a boat waiting, the fare is paid, the sea looks calm.” Everything seems to fall perfectly in place when we are about to walk out of God’s will. But what looks like smooth sailing at first often leads to a storm later.

Yet what stands out most in Jonah’s story is not his failure but the faithfulness of God. God didn’t say, “You’ve made your choice, now live with it.” No, He pursued Jonah even in his rebellion. That’s grace in action – a love that refuses to let go.

While Jonah slept below deck, a storm raged outside. Seasoned sailors, men accustomed to tempests, were terrified, but Jonah was sound asleep. Isn’t that a picture of us sometimes? When we turn our backs on God, we can become numb to the spiritual reality around us. We grow detached, oblivious to how far we’ve drifted. Even in the middle of chaos, we sleep through the warnings.

But thank God for His mercy. He doesn’t let us remain in that state forever. Sometimes, He allows storms to shake us – not to destroy us, but to wake us. Through the storm, Jonah realized that his disobedience wasn’t just affecting him. The sailors were caught in it too. When we walk away from God, it often ripples out –  touching those closest to us. Our choices carry consequences beyond our own lives.

Eventually, Jonah made a hard but honest choice: “Throw me overboard.” It was his moment of surrender. The storm had done its work.  It drove him back to the heart of God. And even there, in what seemed like the end, God had already prepared a rescue. The great fish wasn’t a punishment; it was provision.

Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of that fish – a dark, lonely, hidden place. Yet that’s where his real prayer began. It reminds me of Jesus’ instruction: “When you pray, go into your closet.” In that secret place, away from the noise, we wrestle with ourselves and rediscover God’s mercy. The darkness became Jonah’s classroom of repentance and renewal.

And just as Jesus promised, when we seek Him in secret, He answers in public. Jonah emerged from the depths, not as the same man who ran away but as one who had encountered the relentless grace of God. The same God who calmed the sea was now ready to calm his heart.

So here’s the truth: obedience to God may not always be convenient, but it is always right. Convenience might offer a quick escape, but obedience brings peace. One leads us away from God’s presence; the other draws us deeper into it.

Let Jonah’s story remind us –  there’s always a ship ready to take us from the will of God, but there’s also always a storm prepared to bring us back. And when it does, may we choose to say yes, not out of fear, but out of love for the One who never stopped pursuing us.

Reflection

When God calls, obedience may seem costly, but running from Him costs far more. If you find yourself on a ship headed away from His will, remember His grace still reaches the sea. Turn back, even from the depths, and you’ll find He’s been waiting there all along.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

Petals, Passion, and a Mother’s Touch

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There’s a certain kind of peace that only exists in a garden tended with love. And my mom’s garden…well, it’s a universe of color, life, and passion tucked into her little corner of the world. Step onto the soil, breathe in the scent of damp earth and petals, and suddenly, the rest of life, the noise, the rush, and the deadlines,feel miles away.

Her garden is an orchestra of flowers: roses in deep crimson and soft pink, marigolds dancing like drops of sunlight, hibiscus with petals wide as a welcoming smile, and tiny blue blossoms that peek shyly from between green leaves. Every corner is alive, every plant telling a story of care, patience, and quiet insistence that beauty takes time.

It’s amazing to watch her at work – a watering can in hand, moving from plant to plant with the devotion of someone who knows each stem, each leaf, each blossom by heart. She knows just how much water each flower needs, how much sun each bed requires, when to trim, when to coax, and when to simply step back and let nature work its magic. Watching her is like watching a master conductor guide a symphony, except the orchestra blooms in petals and leaves instead of violins and flutes.

And yet, there’s a rule!…..hmm… there is a rule, alright….Bram Bram… Oh yes! I can’t state clearly enough that, indeed, there is a rule…. one she doesn’t need to shout, but everyone knows it: do not, under any circumstances, damage her plants. A wrong step, a careless hand, and the air shifts. It’s the kind of stern, gentle warning that carries love and humor at the same time because when you respect her garden, everything is calm, orderly, and radiant. When you don’t… well, you learn quickly that flowers are serious business.

But here’s what struck me the other day as I wandered through some photos I had taken of her flowers a few years ago. This garden is more than just flowers. It’s a lesson. A mirror of life and faith.

Think about it. Every bloom started as a seed – tiny, fragile, vulnerable. It took care, attention, and patience to grow. There were storms that bent stems and insects that tested her vigilance. Yet, week after week, month after month, the garden flourished. The roses bloomed, the marigolds swayed, and the hibiscus waved. And all along, she remained faithful, tending quietly, watering faithfully, pruning gently, never rushing, never giving up.

Life is a lot like that garden. We are seeds, sometimes unsure of how we’ll grow, buffeted by circumstances, pressed by challenges. But with care, patience, and attention, with intentional nurturing, we bloom.

Sometimes, growth comes slowly, almost imperceptibly, until one day, we realize we’re standing tall, rooted, and colorful in ways we never expected. As the apostle reminds us:

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” – 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 (KJV)

Every flower in my mom’s garden is a testament to that truth that life grows when tended, that beauty emerges when nurtured, and that patience produces fruit. And there’s a rhythm to it, too: water, sun, care, and rest. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is wasted. Everything has its season.

Of course, her garden is not without its humor. I’ve learned that stepping too close, touching the leaves the wrong way, or jokingly rearranging a flower is met with a look that could stop a hurricane or a quick three word reminder, “Hello my plants!” Yet, even that is part of the lesson: Care requires respect. Growth requires boundaries. Love requires intention.

Walking through her garden, I am reminded that we, too, need intentional care in our lives – for ourselves, for our dreams, and for the people we love. We must tend our hearts, nourish our spirits, and protect what is fragile. And we must learn to wait, trust the process, and marvel at the beauty that emerges when patience meets purpose.

Psalm 1:3 (KJV) captures it beautifully:

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

By the time the sun dips low, painting the petals in gold, the garden seems to sigh in satisfaction. Everything is in its place. Everything is alive. And for a moment, the world feels exactly as it should – ordered, beautiful, and full of promise.

So, next time you see a flower or tend a garden of your own, whether literal or metaphorical, remember this: growth is a process, care is essential, and patience never goes unrewarded. And sometimes, just sometimes, it’s perfectly fine to step back and simply marvel at what love has made bloom.

WAIT A MINUTE!

Something just struck me….. not a rock, thank God… the reality is just like the admirers of my mom’s flower garden wonder at its beauty and long to know its secrets, so those who live or come in contact with believers in Christ notice a joy that blooms even in affliction. They see the fruit of a life surrendered to God and are drawn to ask, ‘How does he do it?’A living testimony of the Almighty’s grace in full bloom. An opportunity to speak about the God they serve is born. So I thank God for the opportunity to witness the growth and beauty in my mom’s flower garden.

In her garden, as in life, all is well… when you nurture the nature, note the nuances, and nourish with nobility.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

🇩🇲 True Independence Begins with God

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Today, November 3rd, citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica celebrate its Independence Day. It’s a time to honor freedom, sovereignty, and the sacrifices of those who fought for our nation. Flags wave, speeches are given, and parades fill the streets with pride and joy. Independence is powerful; it represents strength, self-determination, and the ability to chart our own path.

But as we reflect on national freedom, I can’t help but think about a deeper kind of freedom; the kind that doesn’t come from law, government, or human effort. This is spiritual freedom, and it comes from dependence on God.

There’s a difference between independence and dependence, and understanding it is vital for a life of purpose. Independence is often celebrated because it feels strong, capable, and self-sufficient. We think, “I can handle this on my own; I don’t need anyone to carry me.” And on the surface, it may seem like true freedom.

But the truth is, independence without God often leads to exhaustion, anxiety, and frustration. You might be independent in your job, your finances, or your plans, but still feel weighed down by life’s storms, unsure of the next step, or powerless in situations beyond your control.

Dependence, on the other hand, is often misunderstood. Many see it as weakness, or giving up control. But spiritual dependence, trusting God completely is not weakness; it is the source of real strength. It’s acknowledging that while you may be independent in the world, your ultimate guidance, provision, and peace come from God.

Consider the lessons from Scripture:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

This verse reminds us that true independence begins when we depend fully on God, not merely on our own ability to solve problems. Real freedom isn’t about doing everything on your own; it’s about letting God lead and trusting His strength in every area of life.

Think about the challenges we face daily –  the pressures of work, the strain of responsibilities, the physical or emotional burdens we carry. Independence alone can leave us overwhelmed, struggling to keep up. But dependence on God provides a peace that surpasses understanding, a guidance that steadies us when life feels unsteady, and a strength that sustains us even when our own energy fades.

This doesn’t mean that dependence removes the storms or makes life effortless. Sometimes, the rain falls, deadlines press in, and challenges seem endless. But dependence ensures that we are never facing those storms alone. God walks with us through every trial, and His presence gives us freedom that no worldly independence can provide.

So, as we celebrate Dominica’s independence, let us remember the ultimate source of freedom: God Himself. Just as our nation relies on wise leadership and strong foundations to thrive, our lives thrive when we rest in the guidance, strength, and provision of our Creator.

Independence without God can give the illusion of strength, but true freedom is found in dependence on Him. When we let go of the illusion of total self-sufficiency and place our trust fully in God, we discover a liberty that cannot be shaken,  a peace and purpose that carry us through every storm.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

Celebrate independence today  in your nation and in your life, but let your heart also embrace complete dependence on God. That is where true independence begins.

Happy Independence Day to all citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica

When Was the Last Time You Said Something Good About Someone in Their Absence?

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When was the last time you said something good about someone – not to their face, but behind their back?

We live in a world where people’s names are so easily tossed around, often not in kindness. We speak of others when they’re not around, sometimes to vent, sometimes to judge, and sometimes just to fill the silence. But what if our words, even in private, carried the fragrance of grace?

Words have power. They can heal or hurt, build or break, restore, or ruin. Yet most of us have been in those quiet conversations where someone’s name comes up and suddenly the tone shifts, maybe just a small criticism, a whispered assumption, or a story that shouldn’t have been shared.

And while it might seem harmless in the moment, the Bible reminds us:

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
(Ephesians 4:29, KJV)

That verse doesn’t only apply to public speech. It applies to the quiet words spoken when no one else is watching. It’s a reminder that even in someone’s absence, our words reveal the true condition of our hearts.

There’s something deeply Christlike about speaking well of others when they’re not there to hear it. It’s easy to compliment someone in person. But to defend them when others criticize? To uplift their name when others would tear it down? That’s grace in action.

And the truth is God notices.

When we choose to speak life instead of gossip, we become mirrors of His heart. We reflect His character, the One who intercedes for us even when we fail, who speaks good of us before the Father.

Imagine how different the world would look if we all made it a habit to bless people behind their backs. To say, “You know, she’s really been through a lot, but she keeps showing up.” Or, ” I dont know how she keeps going.” Those words might never reach the person’s ears, but they reach God’s.

Proverbs says,

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
(Proverbs 18:21, KJV)

If that’s true, and it is, then every time we speak of someone in their absence, we’re either sowing death or speaking life.

This isn’t about being fake. It’s about choosing to see people through the lens of grace rather than judgment. It’s about remembering that the same mercy we need daily is the mercy others deserve too.

Maybe this week, you’ll hear someone’s name mentioned in a conversation. Maybe it’ll be a coworker, a friend, or even someone you struggle with. At that moment, you’ll have a choice…. to add fuel to the flame or to speak something that ministers grace.

And maybe, just maybe, the best compliment isn’t the one said to someone, but the one said about them when they’ll never know.

So, I ask again:  When was the last time you said something good about someone in their absence? Maybe today’s the day to start again.

This reflection is part of my Steps of Purpose blog, where faith meets everyday life. Share this post with someone who believes that words still matter. Speak life even when no one’s listening.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

988: Heading Home

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There are some memories that never fade, and that’s not because of their grandeur, but because of their quiet simplicity. For me, one of those memories begins with the hum of a Yamaha motorcycle, registration number 988, and the familiar rhythm of the road that led from La Plaine back to Laudat.

Every Monday morning, my father and I would leave our home in the misty hills of Laudat at dawn and ride to Laplaine, where he was principal of the primary school.

The week would unfold there, filled with lessons, laughter, and sometimes a longing for home. But Friday …….. oh, Friday!  That was the day that made my young heart come alive. Because Friday meant one thing: we were going home.

The engine of 988 would roar to life, and I’d climb on behind my father, small hands gripping tightly. The wind would rush by, and the familiar bends of the road seemed to whisper, “You’re almost there.”

It wasn’t always smooth sailing. There were days when the weather turned on us –  rain pouring, clouds pressing low, visibility shrinking to a blur. Other times, a tire would betray us halfway, leaving us stranded until help came. I remember one particular day when the tire went flat. The bike had to be lifted onto the back of a pickup truck and ride to the nearest repair shop. It wasn’t comfortable, but we didn’t mind much because even then, we were still heading home.

And that thought hit me recently – all these years later.

What if our journey of faith is a lot like those rides on 988?
What if life, with all its rain, rough roads, and flat tires, is really just our trip home – to the Father?

We go through seasons that test us. The wind howls, the rain blinds, the journey feels long. We’re exposed to the elements of this world – the heartbreaks, disappointments, doubts, and detours. But like that motorcycle ride, we’re not uncovered. My father would always make sure we were dressed for the ride –  raincoats zipped, helmets strapped, feet tucked close. We were exposed, yes, but covered.

And that’s what grace does for us.

We may walk through this life exposed to the elements, to the pain and unpredictability of it all, but we are covered by the love of God, covered by mercy, and covered by the righteousness of Christ that shields us until the journey’s end.

The older I get, the more I realize that the excitement I felt every Friday as a child, that eagerness to get back home, is something we, as believers, should never lose. Somewhere along the way, life’s distractions can dull our anticipation. We forget that this world is not our final stop. Like the many communities my father and I passed through on our way home, this life is filled with passing places. Some are beautiful, some are broken, but none of them are home.

The writer of Hebrews put it perfectly:

“For here, have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” – Hebrews 13:14 (KJV)

Every believer is on a journey riding through life on roads that twist and turn, sometimes clear and sunny, other times dark and stormy. But if you listen closely, beneath the noise of it all, there’s a hum –  a gentle reminder that we’re on our way home.

Maybe the question we need to ask ourselves is this: Are we excited? Do we still long for that moment when we’ll finally see our Father’s face – the One who has been guiding the ride all along?

Because one day, the road will end. The rain will stop. The hum of the journey will fade into silence. And just like I’d see our little home in Laudat appear through the mist on those Friday evenings, we’ll see a far greater home appear before us – eternal, radiant, waiting.

Until then, we ride on. Through rain or shine.
Covered, not crushed.
Tired, but still traveling.
Longing, but never lost.

Because home is waiting.

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20 (KJV)

So, keep your raincoat on. Strap on your helmet of hope.
The road may be rough, but we’re still heading home.

Take a moment today to check your heart: Are you still excited about the journey home?
Share your thoughts below or with someone who might need a reminder that we’re not just riding through life… we’re riding home.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

Finding Power in the Poetry of Speech

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Words wield weight. Words whisper wisdom. Words work wonders. And yet, how often do we wonder about the wonderful ways words can work when used with intention?

Today, let’s walk through the world of alliteration, the artful arrangement of words with repeating sounds, and discover how it can ignite inspiration, incite introspection, and infuse influence into our speech.

Alliteration isn’t just for poets or preachers; it’s a practical, powerful tool for everyday encouragement. Imagine telling someone: “Faith fuels forward focus.” Suddenly, your message doesn’t just land; it lingers. It sticks. It stirs something inside the soul.

Think about your conversations. How often do you communicate care, conviction, or counsel with clarity? How often do your words wander without weight, whispering without wonder? Small shifts and simple, sound-focused strategies can strengthen speech, sharpen sharing, and shape souls.

Here’s the heart of it: alliteration amplifies attention, awakens awareness, and anchors action. When words are repeated in rhythm, they resonate. They remain memorable. When we speak deliberately, choosing our cadence, our consonants, our clarity, we create channels for change.

But more than technique, alliteration teaches a spiritual truth: the way we speak shapes the way we see, the way we think, and the way we walk. Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 18:21 that death and life are in the power of the tongue.

Every encouragement, every exhortation, every expression of empathy carries weight. When we weave words wisely, we wield influence, we lift lives, we light paths, and we leave legacies of love.

So guard your gift of speech. Don’t rush your replies or scatter your sentences without soul. Let your speech be seasoned with grace and guided by gentleness. The world already echoes with enough noise. Your voice can be the note that brings calm to the chaos and direction to the drifting.

When you choose words of warmth and wisdom, you change atmospheres. Your tone can turn tension into trust. Your phrasing can frame peace where pressure once lived. Even a single sentence, spoken sincerely, can shift a spirit from despair to determination.

Practical practice: try pairing purpose with poetry, pairing passion with phrasing or pairing promise with proclamation.


Speak to a friend: “Patience produces peace.”

Speak to yourself: “Strength sustains steady steps.”

Let your words linger like light, landing where lives long for lift.

The poetry of speech is more than pattern or play; it’s a pathway to presence, peace, and purpose. When we commit to clarity, cadence, and creativity, our words become bridges, building, bolstering, and blessing.

So today, speak with intention, infuse your impact, and illuminate your influence. Let your language lift, let your letters lead, and let your lips leave life.

Because in every phrase, in every pattern, in every purposeful proclamation, we find power, not just to impress, but to encourage, empower, and elevate.

And when our words align with truth, they become important tools shaping not just sentences but souls. Speak life, even when silence feels safer. Speak hope, even when hearts are heavy. For in the symphony of sound and spirit, every word you whisper with love can become a verse in someone’s victory.

Speak life on purpose, and you’ll soon see purpose come to life through the words you speak.

🕊️ Today’s step of purpose: Let your words become someone’s reason to hope.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew

Concern vs. Curiosity

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There’s something deeply unsettling about realizing that not everyone who asks about you actually cares about you.

Some people just want to know.
They want the details, the story, the latest update, but not the burden, not the prayer, not the walk through the storm with you.

It sounds harsh, but it’s true. And if you’ve lived long enough, you’ve probably felt it.

The difference between someone who listens to understand and someone who listens to report is like the difference between shade and shelter. One offers temporary comfort; the other offers real covering.

Caring listens with compassion. Curiosity listens with calculation.
Caring sits with you in silence; curiosity breaks the silence so it can tell someone else what was said.
Caring carries your name before God; curiosity carries your name into conversation.

Sadly, in a world filled with constant sharing, screenshots, and status updates, it has become easier for curiosity to disguise itself as care.

But discernment – that quiet wisdom that comes from walking with God helps you see the difference.
Even Jesus faced this. Not everyone who followed Him did so out of love or faith. Some came for miracles, others to find fault. Some wanted to see the power, others wanted to see Him fall.

The Bible says, “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men.” (John 2:24 KJV)
That’s powerful. It means Jesus understood that love and openness don’t always mean access. You can care deeply for people and still keep healthy boundaries.

Sometimes, God will show you who truly cares not through their words but through their consistency. Who checks on you when the crowd disappears? Who prays for you when there’s nothing to gain? Who rejoices when you rise instead of growing silent?

Those are the ones who care.
And those are the ones you can safely let into your heart’s space.

But here’s the heart check because Steps of Purpose isn’t just about pointing outward, but inward too.
Ask yourself: Have I ever been the curious one instead of the caring one? Have I ever wanted to know someone’s story more than I wanted to understand their pain?

We’ve all been there – asking questions out of interest, not intercession. But growth happens when we allow the Holy Spirit to transform that impulse.
Because true care doesn’t gossip, it guards.
True care doesn’t pry. It prays.
True care doesn’t expose. It embraces.

God calls us to be safe spaces for others – people who listen, not to fill silence, but to carry burdens in love.

So maybe this week, instead of asking someone “what happened?” You could ask, “how can I pray for you?”
Instead of needing the story, seek the soul.

The world is full of noise, but genuine compassion still stands out. It’s rare, but it’s real, and when someone finds it in you, they’ll remember it far longer than they’ll remember what you said.

Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35 KJV)
That kind of love doesn’t need details to care. It just loves fully, sincerely, and without condition.

So today, be intentional.
Guard your heart from those who only want to know and let your own heart grow into one that truly cares. Real love doesn’t crave information; it carries people.
And in a world desperate for attention, those who genuinely care will always shine brightest.

💬 Share this with someone who’s shown you genuine care, and let them know their love made a difference.

Grace and peace,

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew