Madison Pruitt Trout (0:07)

What's up, guys? Welcome back to another episode of Stay True podcast. I'm your host, Madison Pruitt Trout, and I am in my Nashville sweatshirt in Nashville, Tennessee. And we are not in the Stay True studio because that currently does not exist right now because we are in the process of figuring out where we want to live. And we're in an apartment right now. There's boxes everywhere. It ain't cute. We did record one episode in there, but right now we are at that sounds Fun Network shout out to Annie F. Downs and her whole team. We love friends with studios. And so we are here right now recording this episode. But, yeah, you guys, we are praying that we find the right house. Grit and I. I mean, it's crazy. We're coming up on. I mean, due date isn't too far around the corner. And I haven't lived in an apartment since college. I'll be honest with you guys. So there have. The Lord has been stripping me, and it's been honestly, really, really great. Like, Grant and I have been loving it. And of course, the amenities are amazing. I mean, there's like a pool, a whole workout room and situation. But I am excited for us to find our house and to be able to nest and just get ready for baby girl. And then also, like, I want to have a nursery. I've had to, like, really pray a lot because I on, you know, social media, the comparison is the thief of joy. And I've seen so many of my pregnant friends who are like a month ahead of me or a month behind me just, like, already have their nursery set up. Everything's figured out. They have their life together. I'm like, I don't have my doctor. I don't have my hospital. We don't have a house. We're just. We're figuring it out. But I am so thankful because my husband is truly the most positive, joyful guy ever. And he constantly reminds me of what matters most. And I was having one of those days the other day where I was getting just, like, really anxious and worried about all the things. I'm like, oh, my goodness, I don't, you know, I'm about to be a mom, and all these things are new and we don't have anything figured out. And does that mean I'm not going to be a good mom? Am I not being a good wife? Like, just all the things. And I was reminded of Matthew 6, and Jesus is just, like, sharing. He's talking about how, you know, we shouldn't worry about what tomorrow holds because you know, each day has enough worries of its own. And the pagans worry about, which means non believers, they're worrying about, you know, the things of this world and what they're going to wear tomorrow and what they're going to do tomorrow. But us as believers should have just. We should be present and we should have so much faith and hope in who God is today and in how he wants to use us today. And so I had to really be like, okay, Lord, I'm casting my cares on you. I'm not going to get anxious about the things of this world and I'm just going to trust you. And so it's been a constant, a lot of trust and surrender. And so that's kind of where we're at right now. We're in a lot of transition. Grant and I did a whole episode on transition seasons and newness, and it's a hard, it's a hard season for me. I thought I was really good with change. But your girl has been getting stripped and tested left and right. We've had a few little minty breakdowns, you know, that's fine. And then we come back to scripture and we confess those thoughts and feelings to our friends and we have them pray over us. And then you get back to what matters most. But I, on a whole nother note, I'm really excited about today's conversation because it has nothing to do with any of that. That was just, I'm just bringing you guys into my world and we're going to talk all about today purpose. And a lot of you guys asking the question, what was I made for? Why am I here? What does God have for my life? And I've seen that be one of the biggest questions from you guys and one of the biggest questions, especially for this generation that maybe is a little bit younger than me, I'm 28, so for those I feel like 25 and younger, really wanting to know, like, what their purpose is and what, how they can live a life of significance and how they can have an impact on this world and do something that matters. And I love that. I love that. And I've always been a very purpose driven person. And I think that that is who God has called and created us to be. But I want to get into what our true purpose is as a shared community, like as believers, what our purpose is, but also get into what it looks like to walk in your God given, unique, one of a kind, only you purpose. And I actually recorded a whole podcast on this, like right when I started Stay True. And it was one of my very first episodes and I just, I don't know, I did not like how I recorded. I didn't like it. I was like, this isn't the right timing. This wasn't what I wanted to say. And so I've just been waiting for the right time to do a whole podcast on this. And I actually recently was at a conference and was talking all about purpose. And I was like, okay, I am now inspired to go and do a podcast all on this. And we actually were doing a panel. I was doing a panel with some of my close girlfriend friends. I've had girls gone Bible on here, Angela and Ari. And they were on the panel with me and we were talking all about just how can you steward what God's given you? How can you walk out your purpose? And for a lot of it, a lot of people's questions were like, I want to start a podcast, I want to be in ministry, I want to write a book, I want to do all of these things, like how do I do that? How do I get started? And we talked all about it and sadly the panel was not recorded because there was a lot of really, really good stuff shared. But I'm going to try to remember some of those things because I actually think that those really important conversations to have because I do think that in the world that we're living in today, a lot of us get platform and purpose confused with one another and we think that they're the same thing. But I want to make it really, really clear that a platform will die with you, but your purpose will outlive you when you walk in your God given purpose and you live a life that is so much bigger than you. And you know, I am here to know God and to make him known. And I'm just using anything that I got to just glorify him. That's going to out outlive you, that's going to create real impact and real significance. But when we're just chasing after a platform and we're just chasing after being in front of a camera and holding a microphone, and I know I sound like a hypocrite because that's what I'm doing right now. But when we chase after those things, like that's not what is going to bring true significance and impact. Now there are situations where, you know, like in my life, for example, just to get you guys into my story, I graduated college and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I wanted to do ministry. I had graduated from Auburn with a degree in communications, and I also went to Bible college. And so I knew, okay, whether I'm working at a church or whether I am doing foster care and adoption, or whether I'm starting my own orphanage, or whether I am, you know, maybe I'm just a mom and I'm raising my kiddos. Like, whatever God has for me, I know I want to view my life through the lens of ministry and making the most of every opportunity to testify to the truth of the good news of God's grace. Like, that's what I want to do with my life, because he changed my life. And so I was very set on. I know I want to do ministry. I just don't know what it's going to look like. And so I graduated college, had no idea what I wanted to do. Took about 6 months to pray through it. That season was hard because, you know, you get the question from everyone, what are you doing with your life? Like, what. What is your job? What do you want to do? And I'm like, I don't know. I don't know what I want to do with my life. And I just. But I kept trusting the Lord. I was like, I know that I am called to share your truth, and I don't know what that looks like, but I just trust you're going to open up the right door, you're going to provide the right way. And I took those six months to just really pray. And then my first job out of college was in foster care and adoption. And so I. I worked that job for a year. And that was a beautiful and hard season of my life. The job was actually from home. And so I did a ton of work from home, which was honestly, really, really isolating because all of my friends were working. This was like, before COVID And so, like, it wasn't really normal to work from home. And this was when all of my friends were, like, out working their typical nine to fives. And I was at home by myself, you know, doing calls, doing emails, talking with different. Trying to recruit foster parents and train them and help them, you know, become good foster parents. And so that was like my season of life. And then I would have, of course, like, different things where I would go out and I would do different events for foster parents or I would even, like, go on news stations and try and talk about the importance of fostering and why we need more foster parents in our, you know, at that time in our state, I was representing Alabama and so talking about just the need for foster parents in Alabama, but really our whole world. And that was just a. It was a hard season of life, Even though my job was so rewarding and I knew that. That this was such a huge need. I also believe that foster care needs to be under the covering of the church, and it's not. It's under the covering of the government right now, mostly. And so because of that, there's a lot of brokenness in the foster care system. There's a lot of things that I don't agree with in the foster care system. And so that was just a hard thing to navigate. And also, just you see a lot of sad things and you hear a lot of really sad stories, and you work a lot and you don't get paid a lot, and it's just. It was a hard job. But in that time when I was working from home and all of my friends were thriving and I was single and all of my friends were married, that was such a good time where I feel like the Lord really strengthened my faith and reminded me that, you know, these are the moments that matter. Like these private life, secret life moments, alone with him, when I'm just alone in my room, Bible, open, weeping, saying, God, I don't know what you want to do with my life, but here I am. Just like Isaiah said, here I am, Lord, send me. That was my prayer every day. Like, that was my cry every day, Lord, I don't know what you want to do with my life, but here I am. Send me. And that was my continual prayer again and again. And I knew God had something else for me. I knew God had more for my life than where I currently was. But I knew that the season that I was in was an important season. It was a crucial season. It was a building season. And that's something that I also want to speak to because I think that what happens so often is that we're all chasing after the crown and the platform and the spotlight, and Jesus is saying, hey, as a. As my disciples, as my followers, I don't call you to chase after the crown. I call you to chase after the cross. I call you to pick up your cross, deny yourself, and follow me. And that is what it looks like to be a follower of Christ. We're not chasing after the things of this world. We shouldn't look like the rest of this world. We shouldn't be chasing after what everybody else wants. If everybody else wants to get rich and famous with a platform and have all eyes on them and make it about them and live this glamorous life, YOLO lifestyle. Do whatever you want, do whatever makes you happy. As Christians, we should look so different than that. And I think the tension I felt was, lord, I know you've called me to speak the truth, and I know you've called me to testify to the truth. I just don't know what that looks like. And so I actually started in that season writing a book and I didn't know who it was for. I was like, I have no following, no one knows who I am. I'm this small town girl from Alabama and I'm in a really hard season of life right now. But I know God's using it. I know God is developing something in me and he's building me for something and I can't miss this season. But I'm also gonna, I'm gonna take this time to just start writing. And if he wants to use this book or he wants to do something with this book, great. And what's wild is that actually ended up developing into my very first book, Made for this Moment, which I do encourage you guys, since we're talking about purpose. If you have not read that book, that was my first book. And I do kind of talk a little bit about Bachelor Journey woven throughout the entire book. But a lot of it, I talk about how you and I were made for such a time as this, how we were made on purpose and for a purpose, and how we can walk out that purpose. How we can stand firm and strength, grace and courage and be the people that God has called us to be in today's world. How we can live countercultural and walk out our God given purpose. And so I do encourage you to, if you haven't read that book, to go and check that out because I dive into all that we're talking about today a lot more. But I started writing it in that season and I had no idea that that was actually going to turn into a book. I had no idea that anybody would ever be asking me to publish a book. I was like, maybe this is, you know, for a blog. Maybe this is just like something the Lord wants me to do for me, like it's healing for me. It's like just between me and God. Maybe I'm supposed to share it with like my, my kids one day. I didn't know what it was for, but I felt led to start writing. And so I just started writing. But it was in those hidden spaces and it was in those secret places that my faith was forged and that I was being developed and that I was becoming the person that God was getting ready to send out. And had I not had that season of, honestly, hardship, of refining, of purifying, of, like, secret places and the Lord just stripping away sin and. And me creating holy patterns and me just learning so much dependence on the Lord and meditating and studying on scripture every single day, if I had not had that season, I truly would. Would. I would not be able to be here right now. Like, truly, I would not have the confidence to start my own podcast. I would not have written my own books. And honestly, I don't know that I would have been able to stand firm on national television in my faith and in purity had I not gone through that season. And so if you're in a season right now where you feel like, this isn't where I want to be, I don't understand why I'm here. And it feels hard and it feels lonely, and it feels like, okay, I'm working a job because I have to make money, but this is not what I feel called to do. I know there's more for my life. I just would encourage you, like, be faithful with where you're at, because you have to learn to be faithful with where you're at before God can trust you with more. Scripture talks about that. And so learning faithfulness here will prepare you to walk out your purpose there. And so just embracing where God has you and asking God, like, what do you want to do in me in this season? Because who I'm becoming right now is so much more important than what I'm waiting for. It's so much more important than what God can give me down the road is what he's developing in me and the. And the purity of my heart and the posture of my heart. And our relationship is so much more important than anything that he could ever give me down the road. And realizing that, I think we can get so caught up in what God can give us than in just, like, being with God. I think we can get so caught up in, we want God's hand of provision rather than just, like, being in God's presence. And so I think for a lot of Christians, it's like, our focus is so much more concerned about what's my purpose, what's my purpose, what's my purpose? And we totally miss, like, just abiding with the Lord and just, like, serving the person in front of us and just loving the people around us. And I just want to continue to challenge and encourage each and every single one of you. That is so important. And I think a lot of people can look at my life. Like, fast forward to where I'm at today. A lot of people look at my life and they're like, maddie, I want to do what you're doing. I want to start a podcast. I want to write a book. Like, I want to inspire people. I want to do these things. And I would say, there's nothing wrong with that one. I would ask the Lord to search your heart. That would be my first encouragement and challenge to you, is to pray the Psalm 139 prayer. Lord, search my heart. Remove any offensive way in me and lead me in the way of everlasting life. Is there anything in you that wants a podcast or a book or a platform? Because you want eyes on you, because you want glory, because you want to be exalted, because you want to be seen as important or significant or cool or it's just what culture is doing. Like, what are the motives of your heart? Search your heart. That's so important. And then. And then two, I would bring it to community. Like, bring it to the people around you and be like, hey, this is what I feel like God is calling me and leading me to do. Do you see this for my life? Like, what? What do you think? Will you pray with me? Will you encourage me with scripture? Like, when I felt like the Lord was calling me to go on the Bachelor, and I had no idea, truly no idea what that was going to look like. Like, I did not know if I would get sent home the first day and be like, have my whole little rejection moment, being embarrassed, like, okay, I didn't get picked. Oh, well, gave it a shot. Or if, like, I was going to have my heart completely shattered or if this person was going to be my husband, or if I was going just for the Lord to, like, test my heart. Like, if I was going to just encourage the girls on the show and love on them and point people to Jesus. I truly had no idea why I felt led to go on the Bachelor. It made no sense to me. I knew I wanted to do ministry. I knew I wanted to spread the gospel. Going on a secular, you know, honestly, like, pretty worldly show did not make sense in my mind. It really did not. But I couldn't shake the peace that I felt. I couldn't shake what I felt like God was leading me to. But I didn't make that decision in isolation, and I didn't make that decision off of emotion. That decision was not made abruptly, and it was not made by myself because I am not myself, by myself. I need people around me to remind me of who I am and what God's called me to do. Because a lot of times we don't see the motives of our heart. You know, we think our motives are pure. That's what scripture says. We think our motives are pure. Oh, I just want to do this thing for Jesus. And it's like, do you really want to do this thing for Jesus, or do you want to do this thing for you? Do you want to, you know, get this. This. I don't know, this goal, this guy, this outcome, this. The money, the followers. Like, what are you actually after? What's actually the treasure of your heart that you're after? And so I had to really take time to fast and pray over that decision. When I felt like it was what the Lord was leading me to do. I took 21 days to fast and pray. Literally cut out food. I took off social media, off my phone. I cut off all distractions, and I brought my people into it. And I said, hey, will you pray with me? Will you stand with me? And it wasn't a bunch of people. It was people that I could trust. It was my family. It was amazing. Mentor and a pastor. It was my best friend and her mom. Like, I just brought in a few people, and I said, hey, this is something God has laid on my heart. But I. I just. I don't know. And I want to. I want to be surrendered with it, and I just want to walk in God's will. Like, whatever. God's will is for my life. That's what I want to do. And so for 21 days, we fasted and we prayed, and all together collectively, it was like we all had this radical peace God revealed to all of us. This is where God is leading Maddie, and it doesn't make sense. And there's going to be a lot of spiritual warfare and opposition and hate and being misunderstood that's going to come with this. But God has equipped Maddie for this. And it was like we all had this. This shared peace and understanding. And don't get me wrong, there may. May. May be seasons in your life where people don't understand what God has called you to do. And not everyone is on the same page. And you have to step out of the boat like Peter did, when all the disciples are like, bro, what are you doing? What are you doing? This makes no sense. But, you know, Jesus is calling you to step out of the boat, and you just do that. There may be seasons like that, but what I would Continue to encourage you. As I read through Proverbs, as I read through Scripture, as it talks about the importance of wise counsel, as it talks about do not do life in isolation, do not make decisions in isolation. And so for me, saying yes to going on the Bachelor was, again, not one that was a hurried decision. It was months of praying and deciding. It was 21 days of fasting and praying, and it was also done in community. And so what you feel like God is calling you to do, my encouragement would be to take it before the Lord, to pray, to ask the Lord to reveal the motives of your heart, to search your heart, to remove anything that's not of him in you, and to also bring it to wise counsel, to bring it to godly community and accountability, and ask them to look and see, are there any blind spots? Are there any things that I'm missing that I'm not seeing, that you see, that you can call out in me? And those sometimes might not be fun conversations to have, but they're important, and they're necessary for us to be all that God has called us to be. And so that was kind of the route for me. And then when I went on the Bachelor, again, not knowing how it was going to go or, you know, what the outcome was going to be like or how God was going to use it, I honestly was terrified, like, more than I was like, oh, I'm excited. God's giving me this amazing opportunity. It's like I was truly terrified. I had no idea how I was going to be portrayed. You know, I had to basically sign my life away and be like, hey, however you want to portray me, you can portray me. And I just had to trust, like, lord, you are my defender. You are my protector. You are my, like, you've got my back. And if you were calling me to it, you were going to protect me through it. You were going to sustain me through it. You got me like, you were my shepherd. And I had to, like, continue to remind myself of those things going into it, because how Christians had been depicted on, you know, reality TV I wouldn't say had been the best in the past, you know, and so I was like, I have no idea what the outcome of this is going to be, but, Lord, I trust you. You're calling me to this. So I went on the show, I came off the show and then started getting these opportunities to speak and to write books. And I remember right when I came off of the show, when publishers and agencies were reaching out, asking me to write, you know, write a book. And I remember, you know, these conferences and churches asking me to come and speak at, you know, their. Their places and their churches. And I remember being like, this is crazy, because, again, if you go backwards, words and we rewind. I would not have been ready to share anything or write anything or even have the strength to stand firm on reality TV had I not been through that season of like, a year and a half to two years of the Lord stripping me of the Lord, strengthening me of the Lord, like, refining me. And I just don't want too many of us to try and skip those seasons and just, like, immediately, like, get in the spotlight or start something. And it's like we. That's. The culture we live in today is like, we just want it instant and we want things right now. And I think what happens is we miss the character being built and forged. We miss that the. The genuineness of our faith being just, like, cultivated. Because when you're. When you're developed in those private spaces and in those dark rooms when no one's around and it's you and the Lord, like, then when you' in those spotlight moments, that light isn't going to take you out because you know, the light that shines on you, that the light that's in you is so much brighter and so much greater because it's all about Jesus. But had I not gone through that season of building and strengthening and refining and preparing, I would not have been ready, and I would not have been strong enough, and I honestly would have made it all about me. I probably would have gone on the Bachelor or done something like that and been so obsessed with what people thought about me and made it all about me. And now I'm getting these opportunities, and now I'm getting this platform, and how can I use this for me? And how can I? And I would have made it all about me. But I. In that season, the Lord gave me my life verse, and it's Acts 20:24, and it says, for I consider my life worth nothing to me. My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task. The task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. That's why I'm here. That's why you're here. And that's our shared purpose as Christians, as believers, is that we are here not because of anything we've done. We're saved not because of anything we've done. And we have a purpose here on this earth not because of anything we've done, but because of who he is. And what he's given us. And so anything that I do with my life is only to reflect him, is only to give back to him, is only to point to him. And so for me, reminding myself of that of, like, it's not about Master Maddie. Like, if I go on this show or if I'm speaking at this conference, if I'm starting this podcast from writing this book, truly reminding myself every single time, it's not about me. It's not about me. Lord, I don't want them to see me. Take me out of the picture, get me out of the way. May they see you. May they see you and you alone. May you receive all the glory. May you be exalted. And those are hard prayers to pray when you're constantly getting opinions from people, good and bad. And so something that was really helpful for me in that season was I stopped listening to the opinions of people, and I stopped paying attention to both the good and the bad. And, you know, if someone came up to me and they were like, you've changed my life, and I love you, and all these things, I'm just like, praise Jesus. He changed your life. He's amazing. He changed my life, too. How awesome is that? You know? Or if I got the hate and people were really, really mean and really hateful, I would remind myself, like, I consider it all. Like, it's. Even the persecution. I consider it a joy because I get to bear. I get to bear witness to the one who saved my soul. And that is something to boast in, and that is something to rejoice in. And so I had to continue to remember that. But it has not been easy, you guys. Like, I think we think that when we find this, like, thing or this. This purpose, like, this big, like, fantasy purpose or this platform, that we're gonna finally be content and satisfied, that we're gonna, like, thrive and love our life. But there are still so much weights that come with it. Like, there have been so many moments that I have truly thought about walking away from all of this. Like, I'm for real. Like, there have been lots of moments that I have truly thought about, like, moving to somewhere overseas, probably Uganda, Africa, because that was one of my favorite mission trips I've ever been on. And just, like, living a simple life and just serving the Lord and serving God's people and doing it in secrecy. Like, doing it with, like, not on a camera, not with anyone around, and not for anyone. And I've had a lot of those moments. And then I. And then I wrestle, and then I go back and forth, and that's something that Grant and I continuously wrestle with. Like, we continuously ask the Lord, what do you want us to do with this platform? Like, how do you want us to steward this? Do you want us to lay it down and give it up? Do you want us to. Like, how do you want us to do this? Because I don't want to get so consumed with doing more for you, Lord, that I totally miss you, Lord. Like, I don't want to be so consumed with God. I'm. I'm doing all this for you. I'm doing all this for you. That's what happened with the Pharisees. It's like, oh, I'm doing all these things in the name of the Lord. Yet all they were concerned about was what other people thought about them and how it benefited them. And Jesus continued to rebuke them again and again and again, again. And he's like, you're getting it all wrong. You're so consumed with what other people think about you. You're so caught up and in what you look like on the outside and that you look like you. You're important and you're, you know, this high and mighty person when, like the. When God is disgusted with you. When God is disgusted with you because your heart is impure and your heart is not in the right place. And I never want to look like I have it together on the outside and like, I'm, you know, doing all these things and sharing all of these things, yet alone with the Lord. There's no relationship. And, you know, off camera, my heart is impure. Like, that is the last thing I want. And every single day I pray like, lord, search my heart. That Psalm 139 prayer. And I also pray in First John. It talks about, I want to confess my sins continuously and ask the Lord to cleanse me of all unrighteousness, of all impurities, and to make me holy and blameless before him. And I continue to pray that I'm like, lord, Lord, if there's anything impure in my heart, I just want my heart to be pure before you. Like, I want to sort for myself treasure in heaven. I want to be so obsessed with you and with eternity and with your kingdom, and not the things of this world and not what people think about me and not the things that I can get here on this earth that are passing away and fleeting. And I think we can confuse those things a lot of times and store up for ourselves treasures here and store up for ourselves money and followers and Fame and notoriety and what people think about us. And the Lord's like, you're, you're. You're abusing my name. You're. You're stamping my name on all of that, but really, you're doing all of that for you. And I don't approve of any of it. And I think to Matthew 25, and I have my Bible with me, but it's one of my favorite passages in scripture because it's so convicting and it reminds us of what really matters. And that one day every single one of us will be face to face with Jesus. Every single one of us will have to give an account for our life. And I want to hear the words, good job, my good and faithful servant. I am so proud of you. I'm so proud of you. You used what I gave you for my name's sake. You used what I gave you to glorify me. You made it all about me. And because of me, come join. Here's your crown. Here's your treasures like you stored up for yourself, treasures in heaven. The last thing I want is to be face to face with the Lord and to have Jesus look at me and be like, man, you got it all wrong. You got it all wrong. You stored up for yourselves treasures on earth. And you were so consumed with what people thought about you. You never once asked God, what do you think about me? You never. You weren't living for me. You were fully living for you. And because of that, away from me, you have no place here. That the I want to live my life as Matthew 25 talks about. I want to hear the words from my Lord and Savior. Well done, my good and faithful servant. I am so proud of you. And that is I'm living for. And I, I want to encourage all of you on Stay True podcast like, that is, that is what we are to live for, is to hear those words. And I want to be honest, like, with everything that I do with my life. You know what I think really like pleases the Lord more than anything in the world is when I pass by someone or I'm talking to my coffee barista or the person checking out, checking me out at some store, at the grocery store, and I just begin to share the gospel with them and I just be to love on them and I ask them how I can pray for them and I just, I serve them and I love them or, you know, the person in my life that's really, really hurting and I go out of my way to do something kind for them or the person on the side of the street who has nothing. And I give them what they need, and then I share the gospel with them and I pray for them. So I'm not only meeting a physical need, but a spiritual need. And I just know that that is what moves the heart of my God. Like, I know that the work that I did in foster care and adoption and the work that so many people that I see do around me that don't have platforms, that don't have followings that you. If I said their name, you would have no idea who they are. Yet they inspire me so much because the way they live is such radical. Faith is surrendered, obedient, eternally minded, others focused, constantly laying their life down for the sake of the kingdom of the Lord. Like, I have a friend in Waco who adopted. Adopted four kids and works for the foster care system. And she just. Nothing about her life is like, she's not on camera. She's not going and telling everybody, showing everybody what she's doing. She's just faithfully serving Jesus. She's just loving on those who have been treated as not important. And she's loving and taking in those who have been deemed as unworthy of love. And she's loving on them. And she's redeeming their story just as the Lord has redeemed ours. And it's just so beautiful to see the way that God is using her. And nothing about her life is this like, platform or this like, glamorous, famous, like, filled with money and opportunity life. It's just faithful service to the King. And that is what we are called to do. And what I want to say is every single one of us has different gifts. Every single one of us is called to different things. And I think what I'm seeing so much in today's world is that we all want to be the mouthpiece. Everybody wants to be the mouthpiece. Everybody wants to start their own thing. They want to. They want to be on the camera. They want to be in front and center, and they want to be the mouthpiece. But the Lord talks about. It talks about in Scripture how there are different parts of the body. And all parts of the body work together in unison. The hand wasn't meant to be the foot, and the foot wasn't meant to be the hand. And the mouth wasn't meant to be the toes, and the toes wasn't meant to be the mouth. And they're not to be in competition with one another. They're all to be used as they were created to be used, but they're all to work together to edify the head, which is Christ. And so whether you're the hand or the foot or the toe or the belly button or the arm or the things that aren't seen, like, I think we forget about that, that truly some of the most important parts of what keeps us alive, of what keeps us breathing, of the most important things about our bodies are the things you can't see. And I think that's the same. And I think that's true. When you look at the body of Christ, it's like those who are doing the things that nobody sees honestly are probably doing more for the kingdom than for those that everyone see. And I constantly come before the Lord and I'm like, and what is what I'm doing? Does it please you? Does it honor you? Like, I don't want to do it all to be. I don't want it to just be something that's like, others see it and, and maybe they're encouraged by it. Maybe. I don't know. But I do know what honors you and I do know what you talk about in James 1 as perfect religion, which is to look after orphans and widows and to keep yourself from becoming polluted by the world. Like, I know that's what you call as pure religion. I know that's what you call as being a strong believer of Christ. And so I just don't want to get caught up in all of these things that don't matter, you know, and say it's all for Jesus. And I just, I don't want to see that happen to this generation either. And so stop comparing yourself to other people and don't try to be something that you're not. Embrace the gifts God's given you. Embrace the passions God's put inside of you and the calling that's on your life. There are things that I am not gifted at that I admire in other people. Like, I look at people who can sing the house down and I'm like, man, I wish I could sing like that. I wish I could worship like that. But that's not the gift God's given me. And I could spend my whole life in singing lessons and in trying to force this thing to happen that is not meant to happen because God has not called me to that. I'm going to miss out on my true God given purpose, exhausting myself trying to be like someone else when that's not who God's called me to be. Instead, God has given me the gift to challenge and speak truth and encourage people. Whether that is one on one at a coffee with someone, whether that's me speaking to these high school students that I've been meeting with here in Nashville, whether that's me on a stage, whether that's me behind a camera, wherever that is, I know I'm called to speak the truth. In love. I'm called to testify to the truth and point others to Jesus. I'm called to challenge and call people higher. Like that's what God has gifted me to do. But that might not be what God's gifted you to do. And so I just want to continue to encourage you guys. We are all a part of the same body, but the point of it is, is that we work together to edify Jesus. We work together to edify the head. We're not meant to edify ourself. Whether I look like I am more of a mouthpiece or not, I am just here to edify Jesus. I am just here to make it all about Jesus. And that is what I want to do with my life. I want to forsake it all for the sake of Christ and for the sake of the gospel. And so, again, if you do feel called to, like, start your own podcast or to write your own book, I'm not saying that's wrong. I'm not saying that's bad. I'm not saying that's a sin. God could 100% be calling you to that. But I do want you to continue to search your heart. And I want you to ask, am I doing this because it's glamorous and because I'm concerned about what other people think, or am I doing this because this is actually what God has called me to do? And if I don't follow it and I don't do this, it would actually be disobedient. And you look at the life of Saul and David in First Samuel. It's one of my favorite books of the Bible, and it's one of my favorite stories in all of scripture. And you see two different men. Both. Both started out being anointed by God. Both started out being anointed as king, but they finished very differently. And if you look at their life and their decisions and how and what the posture of their heart looked like, very, very different. And so I want us to be a David generation. I want us to be a generation that's after God's own heart, which is how David is remembered. Do you know how Saul is remembered and how he finished? He is remembered as the. As the guy who The Lord took his anointing away from. He is remembered as the guy who took his own life because he was so displeased with his life. Yet David was the. The guy who was after God's own heart, who his lineage continued to be, the lineage that brought Jesus the Messiah into this world. And so David is someone that we can look up to, but Saul should be someone that should be a warning to us. And the difference between the two of them is that you read in the story. I encourage you to go read 1st Samuel. It's such a good. It's so, so good. But what you see when you're reading these two people's lives and how they lived was Saul continued and continued to live for the approval of people. It says again and again, he feared man. He feared what other people thought about him. But David continued to fear the Lord even. And David was not perfect. David sinned. David made some big royal mistakes, but he so feared God that even when he made those mistakes and he wasn't perfect, he. He had a broken and contrite spirit. And he said, father, forgive me, like. Like I have sinned against you. Whatever you need to do, do it. I. Please forgive me. I love you. I'm sorry. Like this one thing that I seek, that I may dwell in your house all the days of my life, I just want to be in your presence. And he was broken over his sin, and he was moved by the presence of the Lord. And he desired to know God more, and he desired to walk in God's plan for his. Saul only cared about power. He only cared about authority, and he only cared about what other people thought about him. And you see it again and again. And that's why a title and authority does not equal anointing and purpose and calling. Because you can have the title and you can have the authority, but you can still be just as insecure, just as broken, just as confused, just as lost on the inside as you were before you got the title and the authority. Because having a platform or having a position or having a status does not equal you walking in. Your purpose does not equal a significant and content and fulfilled life. You being faithful, you abiding with the Lord, you seeking his presence above all, you living a life that honors and pleases God above all else is how you can live a life that is full of purpose. And the cool thing about David was he wasn't seeking after King like. He was not. He was not trying to be king. He was not trying to have that platform. He literally was A shepherd boy. He was out in the fields with all the sheep, just living his life. And God called him. God saw him and God called him and said, you are going to be the ruler of my people and I'm going to use you. And I just, I love that so much because that's why we are not called to chase after the crown. We are not called to chase after the platform. When we position oursel and we are faithful with where God has us right here and right now, then he will take us where he wants to take us. If he wants to give us the platform, if he wants to give us the opportunities, if he wants to give us those things, great, then that'll come. And I, I continue to tell the Lord all the time I'm like this. I. My life does not belong to me. My life is yours and my child's life is yours. And I just want to continue to live a life that honors you and however you want to use me and whatever you want with me, like, it's yours. And I want to continue to encourage you guys to like have that same mindset and heart posture and attitude that acts 2024, even if that's not going to be your life. Verse like that is a good verse to memorize and meditate on of. Remember remembering, it's not about me, it's all about you, Jesus. And I am only here to testify to the good news of the gospel. And you know, I think remembering too, like, do not despise the small beginnings. Do not despise where you're at right now just because it's not where you want to be. Learn to be faithful with the right here and right now in order for God to trust you with what's next. It says, if you are faithful with the little, God will entrust you with the more. But if you are not faithful with the little, why should he give you more? And so often we're neglecting where we currently are because it's not where we want to be. And then we're asking God, why don't you see me? Why aren't you moving? Why aren't you giving me the thing that I'm praying for and asking you for? And he's like, you're not even loving the person in front of you. You're not even sharing your faith with your family. You're not even living in purity. You're not even spending time in my word and spending time with me. You only care what I can give you. You don't actually care about me. And My heart and our relationship. So why should I give you more? And so I want to challenge you guys. Like, seek him before seeking what he can give you. Seek him above all else. It says in Matthew 6:33. Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. Your goal is not to seek the things that can be given to you. Your goal is to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And he takes care of the rest. The outcome is up to the Lord. Your role is obedience. Your role is abiding. And so for me, every single day that looks like I get up and I say, lord, I want you. I want more of you. I can't do any of this without you. And I spend time in his presence. I spend time in silence. I spend time in worship. I spend time in prayer. I spend time in his word. I find ways throughout my day to share it and encourage it with other people. Even if it's a text or if it's a call or if it's seeing someone, hey, can I share with you what God's laid on my heart? Or how can I pray for you today? Like, I find ways to use what God has encouraged me with to give to other people. And on top of that, I also am called to be obedient. If God calls me to walk away from something, if God calls me to cut something out of my life or someone out of my life, I'm called to be obedient. And I have to trust him with the outcome that's in his hands. And I think we can get really caught up on the outcome and really consumed with the outcome and really obsessed with the outcome that we forget that our role is just to be obedient and so seek him and his righteousness. And all of these things will be given to you. That takes the pressure off. For those of you who are asking, why on earth am I here? What am I called to do? What does God want to do with my life? I want to do something great. I want to make a difference. I want to do something big. I want want to live a life of purpose, Be faithful with where he has you. Spend time in his presence. Seek him with all that you have, with everything that is in you. Seek Him. Purify your heart and your body and your soul. Cut things out that need to be cut out. You know, spend time with godly community. Those are the things you have control over. And then trust him with the outcome. He. You will not miss your purpose. I promise you. You will not miss your purpose. You will not miss the very reason that he put you on this planet. Ephesians 2:10 talks about it. Ephesians 2:10 says, hey, before you were even created, God had a plan and a purpose for your life. Like, before you were even created, he created you with that purpose in mind. Like, what he put inside of you was in order to equip you to walk out that purpose that he had for you. And it's not like he created you. And then he's like, huh, how do I want to use Maddie? Like, what am I going to do with Maddie's life? Like, well, I already put her on this planet. She's kind of hitting. Okay, she's getting. She's around 18, and she's around 25 now. Okay. Like, she. We should really figure out what we want to do with her. Like. Like there was already a purpose inside of me before I breathed my. My. My first breath. Like, there was purpose for my life. Before we were formed in our mother's womb, he knew us, and he set us apart for a purpose and for a specific purpose. And so that means you can't miss your purpose. You can't miss what God created you to do with your life. Okay, this is a verse that I grew up hearing all the time by my parents. In Jeremiah 1:5, it says, Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. We had a relationship with him before we were formed in our mother's womb. And then he set us apart. And he appointed. Appointed us for a specific purpose, for a specific task. Which means he created us with intention. When he was forming us in our mother's womb, he was giving us the gifts and the things that we needed in order to accomplish that purpose that he set aside for us and that he appointed for us. And so you have the things in you that you need to do what God has called you to do. And that's what a purpose is. It's just gifts and passions coming together, together, all for the sake of serving the Lord and glorifying the Lord. And so for me, what am I gifted in? I'm gifted at communicating. I'm gifted at challenging others. I'm gifted at speaking the truth. What am I passionate about? I'm passionate about Jesus. I'm passionate about sharing the gospel. I'm passionate about, you know, being with. With others and being with people and telling them the truth and how God saved my life. And so you combine those two things, and it's like, okay, I think you're called to do ministry. I think you' you're called to communicate the Gospel. And whatever shape and form that looks like, whether that's in a church, whether that's to your kids, whether that's teaching, whether that's, you know, in whatever shape or form, you can plug that in in different ways. And for those of you who are saying, I know I'm called to ministry, I want to do ministry. I want to remind you that ministry is wherever your feet are. Wherever your feet are, that is your ministry. Wherever you go, you have the opportunity to tell people what you know. Wherever you go, you have the opportunity to share with people how Jesus has radically changed and transformed your life. Ministry does not look like being a pastor. Ministry does not look like having a podcast. Ministry does not look like having a microphone and being on a stage or having this, like, fancy, you know, whatever. Ministry is being faithful with where God has has you and sharing his good news. Everywhere that you go, everywhere your feet go, is an opportunity for you to share the Gospel. Everywhere that your feet go is an opportunity for you to usher in the presence of the Lord and for you to share it with the people around you. That is what ministry looks like. So as we are wrapping up this episode, I just want to continue to highlight some of the things that we talked about, because I know we talked about a lot of things and it was kind of all over the place. But here are the things that I really want you guys to take away is one, that the private life life matters more than the public life. Who you are alone with the Lord matters so much more than anything you can quote, unquote, do for the Lord. Like, you have to have a heart posture that is pure. You have to have that relationship that has to be strong. You have to receive from him before you can ever give to anybody else around you. I cannot step foot out of my door, out of my house until I have first received from the Lord. I have nothing to give if I don't receive first from him. Because if I'm just giving what I have apart from him, there people just getting Maddie. And you don't want just Maddie. You don't want Maddie apart from Christ. And so we have to first make sure we are abiding. Because when we stay attached to that vine, then that's the only way that we have the true source of life and that we have any fruit to give to other people that's going to be beneficial, nurturing, helpful, lifegiving is when we're attached to the vine. And so we have to make sure we're receiving that first from him. And our private life matters so much more than our public life. We can't consumed with what other people see. We can't only be consumed with what we look like on the outside. We can't only focus on cleanliness on the outside when our heart is full of impurities. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for that and said, you are not going to enter the kingdom of heaven like this, like only those who are better than those of the Pharisees will enter the kingdom of heaven. And so we can't be like the Pharisees who were so consumed with people pleasing and approval and having this high and mighty status and making it all about them. We are called to lay our life down. We are called to make it all about Jesus. And the only way that we have what we need for out there is if we first get it in here. Alone with Jesus, alone with him, studying his word, meditating on scripture, praying and saying, Lord, refine me, purify me, cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Search my heart, remove anything in me that is offensive, and lead me in the way of everlasting, everlasting life. Lord, I surrender to you. My life is not my own. I give you my body as a living sacrifice. May it be holy and pleasing unto you. I give you my life. I consider my life worth nothing to me. My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task, the task of testifying to the good news of your grace. That's why I'm here. And it's like, if that's your prayer every single day, that's going to give you the mindset that you need for whatever your public life looks like, which is maybe you're in college right now, or maybe you're in high school right now, or maybe you're a teacher or a doctor or a mom or. Or, you know, I don't know. Whatever your life looks like and whatever your public life is, the only way you're equipped for the public is if you make sure that you are alone with the Lord in private, that you make sure you are filled up in the private, that you make sure that your secret and hidden places alone with the Lord are consistent, are real, and you don't miss them. And so that is so, so important, is that your private life is more important than your public life. The only way you're going to be prepared to do what God has called you to do is if you continue to stay attach to him and you continue to stay surrendered to him, and you continue to find those alone moments with him for him to build you before he can ever send you out, he first has to build you before you can ever be ready for your purpose, you first have to be prepared for it. And you don't want to. You don't want to get out there before you're ready. I promise you, you do not want the purpose that God has for you before you're ready for it, before you're built and strong enough to be able to handle it. And so you're probably. Private life matters so so much. The second thing is that the way we pursue purpose should look so much different than the way the world pursues purpose. The way the world pursues purpose or, you know, I don't even know what the world would call it. I don't know if the world would call it purpose. Maybe they would. But how they pursue it is one that is focused on self, is one that is focused on what people think about them. It's one that is focused on what they can get out of it. As Christians and as believers, our purpose truly should be how can I know God and how can I make him known? And whatever he has uniquely called me to do, those two things have to be in place. How can I stay connected to the Source and the vine in relationship with him and how can I make him known to those around Him? So he's not going to call me to something that's going to compromise either of those two. He, God is not going to call me to something that's going to call cause me to compromise my relationship with him or my ability to share him with other people. And so if you feel like what God has called you to this purpose of, you know, being, I don't know, in a relationship with someone who doesn't know God or you know, being a person who is, you know, dressing like, modeling inappropriately or you're, you know, working at a bar and having to do things that is against your values and your morals, whatever it is, like he's not going to cause you to compromise. And you say that's my purpose. Like whatever God calls you to, it is going to align with you having that strong relationship with him and your ability to share him with other people and so make sure that those two things stay intact no matter what. But our way of pursuing purpose should not look like the world's. We are not chasing after platform. We are chasing after eternity. And we are not chasing after the treasures of this world. We are building up ourselves, treasures in heaven. And so we live like Colossians 3:1 talks about. We keep our eyes set on the things above, not on the things of this world. We are not focused on earthly things. We are focused on eternal things. We don't look like the pagans. We don't look like the rest of the world. We don't live like those who don't know Jesus. We should look different, and our life should look different. And how we pursue purpose and how we walk out, our purpose should look different. It shouldn't look like the world's way. And so remember that we're not chasing purpose like the world is. We're chasing purpose like God calls us to. And I would just say the last thing to just encourage you guys with is when you think about this idea of purpose and what God has called us to do, it will never. Like, you will never be in a situation where God's presence is not with you when he calls you to it. And so one of my favorite things to meditate on is Matthew 28. And a lot of us know Matthew 28, the greatest great commission. When Jesus is saying, hey, like, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And we stop there, it's like, yes, that's the commission. Go make disciples. Go, go, go, go do this. Go live a life that matters. Go, go do this. You know, do something great. Do something great. And we focus and we get caught up on that. And we forget the second half of the verse where Jesus is saying, and surely, I will be with you. I will be with you wherever you go, and whatever I call you to do, I will be with you. And that's so important for us to remember, because his presence will always be attached to our purpose, like what he calls us to. He will always be with us through it. And if his presence is not there, then I would question, maybe we're not walking in his purpose, or we're not inviting him into the purpose that he has for our life. And so his presence is attached to our purpose. Matthew 20:28, the great commission. Like, we are. We are to go and make disciples. We are to live a life that matters, and to live a life with maximizing every opportunity and making the most of the life that he's given us. We are to do that, but we are to remember that his presence is with us. That the only way we have what we need to go and make disciples is if we are filled with his spirit and if his presence goes with us and before us. And Moses is having this moment in Exodus 33 where he is talking with, with God and he's like, hey, don't send me out unless you go with me. Like, do not send me unless your presence goes before me. Do not send me unless you go alongside of me. And I have prayed that prayer so many times because I'm like, lord, I can't do this without you. And so do not send me out until or unless, I guess I should say you go with me. Like, do not send me unless your presence is with me. And when you're walking out your God given purpose, like his presence will be attached, his presence will be with you. He will give you what you need to do what he's called you to do. You were made on purpose and for a purpose. There is a great purpose for your life and I want to see every single one of you walk out your God given purpose. I want to see every single one of you live the life that God has called to live. But we have to remember that purpose looks different than the world's way. And that purpose looks like us really denying ourself and living a surrendered submitted life to Christ and saying, lord, whatever you have for me, send me however you want to use me. Use me. Open my eyes to see what you want me to see. Help me to love the people around me and to be faithful with where you have me right now. And I promise you, you'll look back and be like, wow, I cannot believe what God is doing. I can't believe how God is using me. And do not despise the quote unquote, small moments. Don't despise the small moments that are not only preparing you, but also that, you know, those are the moments that the Lord really cares about. Like if I overlook that, that opportunity to share with the my coffee barista the gospel, that's, that's overlooking an opportunity to possibly change someone's eternity and that's displeasing to the Lord. And that's not being faithful with where God has me. And so don't just get caught up. For some of us, it's easier for us to be behind a camera or behind a phone and be like, hey, I just, you know, this is what God's laid on my heart. This is what God's teaching me right now. And it's easier for us to have some type of virtual ministry rather than to actually go out and to share the gospel with those that we see. Truly, I think for so many of us as Christians, we now today hide behind our cameras and call it ministry, but we're neglecting the opportunity to share the gospel with those that we come into contact with or with our own family or with our own friends. And we're hiding behind a camera when the Lord's like, hey, you're not even like fully living this out in real life. And so as great as it is to like go on your social media and share a Bible verse and to share, you know, a scripture or to do those things, that's awesome. But live it out in your everyday life. Your purpose doesn't turn off when the camera turns off. Like, your purpose does not turn off when the microphone isn't there or the lights aren't on. Your purpose is continual. It's. It's never ending. And I am just so, I'm so, so excited for what God has for you guys. And I just want you to know, like, I so believe in you. And if no one has ever spoken purpose over you, like, I, I just want to be someone who does and say, you have been made on purpose. God has a purpose for your life and it is unique to you. It doesn't look like mine, it doesn't look like your siblings, it doesn't look like your friends. It is unique to you and it is special to you. And God wants to see you walk it out, but you let, you can't let comparison take from that. You can't let the world take from that. And you got to remember like, that your true God given purpose is totally attached to your ability to surrender and submit to him and make it all about him. Because really he's the one who gave, who gave it to us. And it's just to give back to him at the end of the day. And so we're all living to hear the words. Good job, my good and faithful servant. I'm so proud, proud of you. That's what we want to hear when we're face to face. We will all be face to face with Jesus one day. And those are the words that we want to hear, friend. And I love you guys. I love you so much. And please let me know you know how this episode encouraged you, what you want to hear next, who you want on the podcast and yeah. And just what your takeaways are. It's really helpful for me to know just what you are resonating with and what you like to hear. But I love you guys and I also want to continue to think of ways and opportunities to, like, get together. I want this to be a community. Like, I want Stay True to be a community. I don't want it to just be a virtual podcast that you listen to, and that's great. But I. I want this to be a place where you guys are finding community, where you guys are being challenged and given opportunities to walk in your purpose. And, and so I've just been brainstorming, I've been thinking, I've been praying through what a potential, like, serve day could look like. I've been praying that. And so anyways, that could be fun. Stay tuned. Let me know if you have any ideas or thoughts of, like, how we could all get together and maybe in a few different cities, like, come up with a serve opportunity to go and serve and, and share the gospel and meet needs of. Of the city. Partner with churches, partner with nonprofits. It's what we were created to do, guys, as we're talking about purpose, that's our purpose. That's what we're created to do. And I want to end with this. So we are coming up on an election, and for a lot of you guys, that can bring, I don't know, you can feel anxious about it. You can feel, you know, I don't really know my role in it. I don't feel knowledgeable. I don't really know, you know, how to vote. I don't really like either candidate. Like, I don't know where you guys stand. And I am not going to be someone on this podcast broadcast who is necessarily going to be like, go and vote for this person. What I will challenge and encourage you to do is that as Christians and as believers, we are called to be a part of making our city and our nation a better place, of using our voice and using what we have to make a difference. And so we are called to play a role, to vote. And so what I will challenge you to do do is to go and vote to register to vote. If you have not registered to vote, register right now. Register right now. Do not let a day go by. You need to vote. We all need to vote. It is our calling. It is our purpose. It's what. It's what we're here to do while we're on this side of eternity. Like, we should be making our city, our nation, our world, a better place and contributing where we can. It's. It's just as much of a sin to, like, sit back and, you know, be Negligent. And to not be involved as it is is to, like, do the wrong thing, I guess you could say. And so my encouragement would be, like, don't sit back and be negligent. Like, press in. Be a part of creating the change that you want to see in our nation. Be a part of what you want to see, how, how you want to see God move in this nation. And even though I will never tell you to vote for a specific person, I will challenge you guys to take a look at the policies, to not turn to mainstream media, to not look at what, you know, the news outlets are saying, but to do some heavy research on your own, to look to people that you trust and that you look up to, like Christian examples, Godly examples. And, you know, I am hoping to have someone on this podcast coming up soon where we're going to talk a little bit more about faith and politics as we get closer to the election. And so stay tuned for that. That is my, my hope and prayer to be able to do that. But I do want to encourage you guys, like, look into policy and what are the policies that are going to be able to promote our Christian faith and freedom in this country. And so even if you don't like either person or either candidate or you're like, I'm not really political. I would never have really considered myself being really political. But I care about this nation and I care about freedom and I care about faith principles and I care about life. And I'm going to stand for life. I have a. I have a baby in my womb, and I will always. I will fight for life. I will stand. Stand for life and I will stand for, you know, the gospel and Christian. This nation was built on Christian principles. And I will stand and continue to fight for that continuing to be, we continuing to be one nation under God and that continuing to be a priority of this country and fighting for freedom of religion and, and fighting for those things. And so that is my heartbeat. I want to encourage you guys, like, you play a role. 18 and older, you guys all play a role. And so go and vote regularly. Register to vote. Be a part of the change you want to see in the world. Don't just sit back and, and wait for someone else to do it. You want to make a difference, register to vote and be a part of it. Share it with other people and share this podcast with other people. If you guys haven't reviewed the podcast, please review the podcast. And that's it, guys. I love you so much. And as always, be sure to stay. You stay true, I love.