Tim Ainley, CEO of Forward Edge, recently shared an inspiring message at a graduation commencement ceremony that is a timely and impactful message for us all. But, especially for recent graduates, young adults, and teens, these words could be the guiding principles you need as you step into a world with a million different possibilities:
As I was praying about what to share, I felt like the LORD guided me to simply share four pieces of advice I wish someone had shared with me when I was young.
The first thing and probably the most important is:
We live in a time and a culture that’s constantly bombarding us with this message: your value lies in your self-made identity. That’s why everyone is scrambling to create one…to be unique, to stand out, or to rise above others. That’s why our culture is obsessed with gender identity, sexual orientation, fame, status, and success.
But the Bible tells us something different. It’s not about who you are; it’s about Whose you are. It tells us in Psalm 139 that you were fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who thinks about you more than the grains of sand on the beach.
It tells us in John 1 and Romans 8 that you are God’s children…adopted, chosen, sons and daughters. You are special because you are His.
And in Ephesians 2:10, it tells us that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus. Other versions use different words like “workmanship,” or my favorite, the New Living Translation, uses the word “masterpiece.”
You are God’s masterpiece.
Now, the original Greek word here is “poiema”, and it means poem. You are God’s divine poem. All of you are beautiful works of art created by a God who values you immensely.
Let me ask you a question: In business economics, how is it that we determine the value of something, let’s say, a product? Supply and demand, right? If something is valued too high, demand goes down. No one buys it. If it’s valued too low, everyone buys it, and supply runs out.
In short, you determine how much value something has by how much someone is willing to pay for it, right?
So how much value do you have?
Well, according to God, a lot. So much, in fact, that He paid for you with His own Son.
Hebrews 12 tells us that it was for the “joy set before him” that Jesus endured the cross. Do you know what that joy was?
I believe that joy was you. I believe Jesus’ first joy was to accomplish the will of His Father. But, both His Father’s will, and His, was to make a way to redeem you, to restore you, and to bring you home. That’s how much you mean to the Father, and to the Son.
You are God’s child, His immensely valuable divine poem, and you bring Him great joy.
And think about this: Jesus fixed his eyes on that joy and endured the cross for you long before you were born. Long before you did anything…before you accomplished anything…failed at anything…succeeded at anything.
I want you to remember that because as you enter the next season of your life, and the consequences of your decisions increase (because they will), you will need to remember that your value lies no where else but here: in Whose you are. You will succeed at times, and you will fail at times. Sometimes you’ll reap the praises of others, and at other times, you’ll let them down.
And as a result, you will be tempted. You will be tempted to compare yourself. You will be tempted to fall into shame or to rationalize your sin. And you will be tempted to gloat over your successes.
But don’t! Don’t. Because your worth is not found in any of those things. Your worth is not found in who you are or what you do, but in Whose you are and what He’s done.
Remember Whose you are.
by Joseph Anfuso I had no idea in the spring of 1980 that a two-day trip to Nicaragua would not only change the trajectory of my life, but cause me to reimagine Jesus’ commission in Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” At
Jollof rice is THE signature meal of Ghana. The classic Jollof recipe varies a bit region to region (in fact, Ghana and Nigeria have a friendly ‘rivalry’ over whose jollof is better). It is made using tomatoes, peppers, onions and spices from the region and is often served alongside fish or fufu. In
I just returned from a mission trip to our children’s program in El Cobre, Cuba and spent several days with not only my sponsored child but some of yours as well! What a joy to see them face to face, hug them, and to share some quality time. TyAnn Hunt,
Photography is more than just a way to document your mission trip—it’s a bridge to connection, a chance to honor the stories of those you encounter. As you step into communities, camera in hand, pause to reflect. Are you capturing moments with care and respect? Are your photos fostering dignity rather than reducing people to subjects?
11 yrs. old
Entered the Program: February 2025
Caleb lives with his parents, little sister, and adopted older brother in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof, and concrete and dirt floors. The family shares a bedroom, except for his brother, who has his own, separate from the house. They cook with wood and get water from a hose on their property. The bathroom facilities are outdoors.
Caleb’s parents met in Oaxaca City when they both worked there. After a year, they got married and eventually moved to the village where his father was born. Caleb’s parents intended to be in the village temporarily but the family required help tending their crops, so they decided to stay. They also adopted Caleb’s cousin as their own child because there was a need.
Plus bonus group fundraising ideas!
