The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

• Looking Forward to the Second Act

  Instead of asking, “Am I past my prime?” we should be asking:“Am I living this stage of life with purpose and perspective?” Ecclesiastes invites us to live in light of eternity—not to despair over what we’ve lost, but to rejoice in how much time we still have to glorify God. Whether your “second act” looks like a new calling, a slower pace, or mentoring others—you’re still in the story God is writing. Think of Sarah, Paul, Noah—some of their most meaningful work happened later in life. “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13 That’s your calling, whether you’re 18 or 80. Join the Conversation:We want to hear from you! How are you embracing your current season of life? Have you discovered a new purpose in your “second act”? Leave a comment on today’s episode, or share your story on Instagram using #Lifeaudionetwork. Let’s encourage one another to live well—no matter what chapter we’re in. Full Transcript Below: Looking Forward to the Second Act By: Laura Bailey “Anyone who is among the living has hope —even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!” Ecclesiastes 9:4 NIV Turning my head from side to side, lifting my eyebrows, and pulling back the skin around my chin, I wondered if it was time for me to start an anti-aging routine. I turn 40 in six months, and truthfully, until a few weeks ago, the approaching descent into middle age didn’t bother me. Most of my friends are in their forties and fifties, and their lives seem to be thriving; they didn’t take going over the hill as their life was over. Instead, it was almost as if they started living. Most were experiencing the perks of older children or an empty nest, reaping the benefits of a successful career, or embracing a slower pace where they could finally stop and smell the roses. And yet, I couldn’t shake the persistent accusing voice that dominated my thoughts, “the best years are behind you.” We live in a society that elevates youth over maturity, but God’s word says the opposite. Proverbs 16:1 tells us that gray hair is a crown of glory, and Job 12:12 shows that more trips around the sun bring more profound knowledge and rich experiences to our lives. Scripture tells us to honor our elders, to respect them, and to glean wisdom from their lifetime of lessons. The “second act” of our lives can be even better than the first half, especially if we live with the proper perspective. The book of Ecclesiastes invites readers to experience the benefits of a life in light of eternity. One of the book's central themes is the reality of our mortality, which shouldn’t drive us to despair but encourage us to ask, “Am I using my time on earth well?” What does it mean to live life well? Solomon, Ecclesiastes's author, tells us in verse 12:13, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” God created humanity with a purpose to glorify Him and make Him known. As the author of our lives, God divinely appoints the days, when we will be born and depart from this earth. Every stage, season, decade, or year serves a purpose, as Ecclesiastes 9:4 tells us that while we have breath in our lungs, we have hope! Not only that, but our lives have a purpose, no matter how many candles are on the cake. We don’t have to fight the signs of aging, cling to the memories of yesterday, or long for youth. Instead, we can embrace God’s plan and purpose for a new life stage. Perhaps, like Sarah, in our second act, the Lord grants a request we’ve been praying about for decades ( Genesis 21:1-7). Maybe God will call us to a completely different career path, project, or passion, like Paul ( Acts 9). Or, potentially, God will make room for you to rest, shedding the weight of the responsibilities of your younger years and having time to invest in the next generation before you go to glory like Noah ( Genesis 6-9). I don’t know what the Lord has planned for me next. Truthfully, my life is not what my 18-year-old self would have envisioned for my forties. But it is beautiful, and I am assured that it will be infinitely better than I had planned because of God’s providence. I am learning that God is more interested in my heart’s posture than my productivity. This allows me freedom and grace to age well, knowing that I am fulfilling my purpose as long as I bring God glory and honor. And well, that looks different in different seasons of life. I pray that as the years tick by, I grow in spiritual maturity and biblical wisdom and that my life always looks more like Christ today than it did yesterday. The best is yet to come, if not in this life; those of us in Christ have the promise of eternity. The end of earthly existence is not the end but only the beginning. May we use the time the Lord grants us well, making the most of every season as we live in light of eternity. Intersecting Faith and Life: A friend once encouraged me to stop asking, “What does God want me to do?” and instead think, “Who does God want me to serve?” This season, take some time to consider your current circumstances. Who can you serve, show God’s love, or pray over? For Further Reading: Hope if You Aren’t Living Your Best Life Now The Aging Process: Life is Seasonal Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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• Feeling Like an Open Wound

  Have you ever felt like you were walking around as one giant, exposed nerve? Like just being in the world is too much? In today’s devotional, we reflect on that aching, raw feeling—and how God meets us there. Vivian Bricker shares how a lyric from Taylor Swift’s “this is me trying” perfectly captured the feeling: “It’s hard to be at a party when I feel like an open wound.” We’ve all had those seasons—where we’d rather hide than engage, where even kindness stings, where the pain is just too close to the surface.But God doesn’t leave us there. He meets us, gently and powerfully, in our most fragile state. Join the Conversation:When have you felt like an “open wound”? How did you find comfort—or where are you seeking it now? Share with us @LifeaudioNetwork or via email. You’re not alone in this journey. 🎧 Discover more daily encouragements — subscribe to Your Nightly Prayer wherever you listen to podcasts. Full Transcript Below: Feeling Like an Open Wound By Vivian Bricker “‘But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares’” (Jeremiah 30:17). I have loved Taylor Swift’s music since I was eight years old. While many people have different views about her, I think most of us can agree that her music contains beautiful storytelling. When her album Folklore came out, I instantly fell in love with every song. The song this is me trying particularly stood out to me upon first listen because of the following lyrics, “And it's hard to be at a party when I feel like an open wound.” How often have you felt like an open wound? I certainly have felt this way throughout my life, but I never was able to put it into words until I heard this song. Similar to other songs by Taylor Swift, this is me trying helped me articulate my feelings in a way that makes sense to myself as well as to others. When we feel like an open wound, we feel easily hurt by others. Rather than wanting to go places and see other people, we want to stay at home and hide from the world. Anything and everything can feel like salt in the wound. When we find ourselves in this place, we don’t need to allow ourselves to fall into despair. Where God is, there is always hope (Romans 15:13). During periods of feeling like an open wound, we need to turn to God. He can provide us with lasting healing. While He might not take all of the pain away, He can help us to recover and feel comfort. It is important to remember that God didn’t cause the pain we are going through. We live in a fallen world, and bad things can happen in this world. People can hurt us, we can fall on hard times, and we can experience illnesses. Despite all of these terrible things happening around us and in our own lives, we can still have hope in God. The open wound in our hearts can be filled with hope if we allow God to comfort us. The comfort He provides for us is found in the Bible and in prayer. If we want to start the process of healing, we need to take up Bible reading and prayer. Prayer can help us connect with God on a deeper level. Telling Him our struggles, problems, and emotions will give us relief like nothing else can. You might be surprised at how much comfort comes over you once you tell God about your feelings. He is your loving Father, and He will equip your heart with love, encouragement, and hope. Bible reading helps us learn more about God and His goodness. Reflecting on accounts of God in the Bible can help us feel more comforted by Him. Two great Books of the Bible to start reading today are Psalms and the Gospel of John. Both of these Books will help you learn more about God and His comfort and love. Learning more about His love and leaning into it can help our hearts heal from any wound. God Cares about Us From the Bible, we learn this beautiful truth, “‘But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares’” (Jeremiah 30:17). The Lord tells us in this passage that He will restore our health and heal our wounds. This passage is referring to Israel; however, it also applies to us as believers. There is no reason to believe that God would withhold healing and restoration from our lives. Give the wounds that are on your heart today over to God. There might still be times when you feel like an open wound, but God can help you. He is already restoring your health and healing your wounds as you read these words. God cares about you and loves you. Never doubt these truths. Intersecting Faith & Life: Have you ever felt like an open wound? What did this feel like for you? Healing from God will come in His timing. How might you reach out to Him today? Is it encouraging to know God can heal your wounds? Why or why not? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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• Draw Close to God

  When heartbreak hits and the tears just won’t stop, it can feel like God is far away. But in today’s devotional, we’re reminded of a profound truth: God draws closer in our sorrow, not further. After attending a funeral, the author expected her grieving friend to be falling apart—but instead, she found a woman sustained by prayer, clinging to God’s strength hour by hour. That’s the power of God’s presence in grief. That’s the promise of Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.” Whether you're facing loss, loneliness, or just the ache of unspoken pain, this verse is your reminder—you are never alone. Join the Conversation:Have you experienced God’s closeness during a painful season? What helped you draw near to Him instead of drifting away? Let us know @LifeaudioNetwork or by email. Your story may be just what someone else needs to hear. 🎙💬 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Explore more Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Draw Close to God “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 Standing in line at a funeral home, waiting to give condolences to a family who had just lost a loved one to a tragic loss, I admired all the pictures of the deceased and well wishes from people ahead of me. Many family members had come to express their sentiments as well. About 20 minutes later, we were able to reach my friend. Although she attended church for a long time, she sometimes had questions and doubts (as we all do) about God and his ways. When I got to the line and saw her there, I expected her to be a mess. I expected her to express her doubts and questions about God. However, she said the opposite. As we hugged, she told me she had been praying and asking God for supernatural help to sustain her through the long days and weeks. She told me that was the first day she had not cried and could stand firm as each hour passed. She and her family remembered their loved one on their special day. They chose to use it as a day of great remembrance and to take comfort in believing that he was in heaven and having all his questions answered. A few days later, I sent her the above verse to comfort her as she continued to move on from their loss. Like my friend, the above verse is often used for people going through difficult trials or tragic losses. It reminds us of God's great love for his people. God never allows us to walk alone. He is always with us, even during unspeakable loss and tragedy. When we feel he has forgotten us, and we can't understand why we are going through such times of trial, this verse can be of great comfort to all of us. It serves as a great reminder that God is with us every step of the way. He is with us when we are in bed crying into our tear-stained pillows. He is with us when we shake hands and hug loved ones who have come to pay their respects. He is also with us when we celebrate family during the holidays when we miss our loved ones the most. It is as if Jesus is there, sitting in the empty chair, with us in our time of trial. If you are going through a difficult time right now, ask yourself: do I feel God is close to or distant from me? Your answer reveals more about your view of God than you realize. When we are going through a difficult time, it is tempting to push God away, believing the enemy’s lie that God does not care about our true well-being, rather than accepting the truth of God's promises, as stated in his word. As the above verse reminds us, he is with us always. He knows our spirits when they are strong and when they are weak. God promises to get vengeance on those who hurt his people. He is the one who gets the ultimate revenge. But we must be patient and wait for his timing. God is the one who knows the bigger picture of our situation. We only see a finite piece of a much larger puzzle. We are only given one puzzle piece at a time. However, it's difficult to see the bigger picture. We must trust that God is the ultimate creator of the puzzle, the only one who can make all the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly. Draw close to God. Do not allow a time of trial to be a time where you drift away from God. If you find yourself resisting the urge to read the word, hiding your big emotions from God, or distracting yourself from being alone with him, chances are you are trying to push him away rather than come close. But Jesus is waiting for us. He is close to us and walks with us every step of the way. We must take his hand and allow him to lead us as we walk through our time of trial. Father, let us draw near to you in times of trial. Let us know that you are closest to us during our most profound grief. Remind us that you are there, extending your hand, waiting for us to take it. Help us to let you lead us with your comforting words and steadfast actions. Amen. Intersecting Faith and Life When you are facing a tough time, do you turn towards God or drift away from Him? Why? Further Reading Proverbs 3:5-6 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  5:08
• The Key to Becoming Unbothered

  Ever wish you could be unbothered—the kind of person who doesn’t spiral when things go sideways? In today’s devotional, Laura Bailey shares a heartfelt story about her friend’s tough day, a voicemail full of frustration, and a powerful moment of conviction from the Holy Spirit. What started as venting turned into a moment of humility—and a reminder that being “unbothered” doesn’t mean we ignore hurt. It means we choose grace over pride. As Romans 12:3 tells us: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, by the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (NIV) Let this be your reminder:Being unbothered doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you care more about the person than the problem. Join the Conversation:Have you ever caught yourself in a moment of venting—only to feel convicted later? What helps you respond with grace instead of reacting with frustration? Let us know @LifeaudioNetwork or by email. We’d love to hear your story. 🎙💬 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Explore more Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: Becoming Unbothered By: Laura Bailey “ For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, by the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Romans 12:3 NIV “Petty Patty is coming at you live. " Tears of laughter rolled down my cheeks as I listened to my friend’s voicemail. She shared about a situation she was dealing with, airing her frustrations, pointing out the hypocrisy of the problem, and expressing her general annoyance with this particular group of people. My friend is one of the kindest people I know. She will give the shirt off her back and bring you a home-cooked meal at the hint of oncoming sickness. She is always the first to sign up and the last to leave, and she is one of the most generous people I’ve ever met. She is not one to complain; typically, that’s my role in our friendship. So, I knew she was upset, not just from her three-minute-long voicemail. “Oh my word, I am so sorry. Did you just get my voicemail?” my friend quickly spouted as she answered my call. “I did. Whew, tell me about your day. It sounds like it was a doozy,” I teased. “Laura, I am sorry. Yes, I had a bad day and am incredibly frustrated, but I shouldn’t have said those things about my co-workers. Please forgive me.” She expanded upon why she was upset and then shared how the Holy Spirit immediately convicted her after she left the voicemail. “I want to be unbothered. You know, the person who just lets things go, realizing it's not a big deal in the grand scheme. And honestly, my irritation stems more from hurt pride than anything else,” she confided. As she spoke, I recalled numerous times when I’d flown off the handle, vented to anyone who would listen, and critically shared about people who drove me crazy. How would my response to a perceived slight, purposeful hurt, or a potential oversight be if I took a more unbothered approach? I am not suggesting that we ignore when people cause us harm, but we don’t allow our feelings and emotions to run wild. We root our responses in humility and not pride. Paul, in writing to the church of Romans, who was having a difficult time getting along, shares, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, by the faith God has distributed to each of you ( Romans 12:3) Look at Paul’s opening statement, he says that it by the grace given to him he shares this hard truth. Grace is getting something we don’t deserve, and in this case, Paul is talking about God’s grace on humanity by sending His son, Jesus. When we realize that we need grace, and God gives it abundantly, we can grant grace to others. Paul shares the not-so-secret tip for fostering good relationships: think of others over yourself. It’s the golden rule: " Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Would you want someone to tarnish your name before you are allowed to explain? How often are our words and actions misunderstood, taken incorrectly, or simply miscommunicated? When dealing with others, we must acknowledge and accept that we can unintentionally cause harm and desire grace, mercy, and love when you do. Letting go isn’t easy or even a natural response, but as Paul points out, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us in our weakness and display the fruits of the Spirit through our faith. Being unbothered doesn’t mean you don’t care; you simply value the person more than the problem. My friend could have easily elaborated on all the ways she felt wronged, yet she used that opportunity to ask where she was potentially at fault and chose to grant grace and forgiveness instead. As my pastor shared in his sermon recently, “You’ll never forget doing the right thing.” My friend doesn’t, and I hope to do the same. Intersecting Faith and Life:Can you think of a time when you let your feelings get out of control? How did that affect your relationship? Jot down ways you can become “unbothered” in your relationships. For Further Reading:Philippians 2:5-11 5 Prayers to Pray for Difficult Family Relationships Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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  6:09
• The Lies Anxiety Tells

  Anxiety has a way of whispering lies that feel louder than truth. In today’s devotional, Aaron D’Anthony Brown shares how even after seeing God show up time and again—in his own life and in the lives of others—those anxious voices still try to take center stage. Whether it’s fear of failure, rejection, or just not being enough, anxiety loves to hijack our thoughts. But Scripture reminds us of a different reality: “Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.” —Proverbs 12:25 (CSB) God’s Word is that good word. When anxiety lies, truth restores. It reminds us we are not unloved, not forgotten, not beyond hope. The truth is—we are known, chosen, and secure in Christ. Join the Conversation:What lie has anxiety tried to sell you recently, and how has God’s Word helped you push back? Share your thoughts @LifeaudioNetwork or send us an email. We’d love to hear how God’s truth is transforming your thinking. 🎙 🙏 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW - Your Nightly Prayer 🌟 Discover more Crosswalk Podcasts - Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews Full Transcript Below: The Lies Anxiety Tells By Aaron D’Anthony Brown“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25, CSB) Working part-time as a writing consultant affords me many opportunities to converse with college students. Unsurprisingly, these youth, fresh out of high school, are still finding out who they are and discovering their way in the world. As they have reminded me, there’s plenty of uncertainty to experience, and with uncertainty, fear. Countless times, they express worry over failing a particular class or assignment. And countless times, they come back to me, recounting how well they actually performed. Even after they are able to contrast fear with reality, they often end up in the same place when uncertainty rolls back around again. They fear. I could look at these students and wonder, “Why don’t they get it?” However, I was a student just like them. At times, as an adult, my anxiety still lies to me, and I still listen. As believers today, we often look back on the Israelites and wonder why they constantly strayed from God. We question how fear could lead them to worship false idols and lack faith when God pulled them through hard times again and again. We may have even wondered the same about ourselves. God shows His hand, but we still forget His works. That’s because of the lies anxiety tells, or more accurately, the lies we choose to believe. We hear them, we believe them, we internalize them. Our inner monologue looks something like, “You are unloved,” “You are unworthy,” “You don’t belong,” “You’re not good enough,” and much more. Whatever that voice is speaking to you in whatever area of your life, know that the only way to counteract a lie permanently is with the truth. Intersecting Faith & Life: Overcoming your worries means grounding yourself in truth. Only then will the lies that anxiety tells become less potent. Here are two steps to follow and make into a daily habit. Discover truth. One way to discover truth is through God’s Word. Anxiety and other forms of fear tell you things about your character and worth, things that aren’t true. God’s Word also speaks to who you are and who you can become. If you had to choose between the two, which would you pick? We might say God is the obvious answer, but when anxiety is pelting our brains, we often don’t think about God’s truth. We aren’t recounting verses about our worth or God designing us with purpose. However, we should. The more we know the Word of God, the more we will know what He thinks of us. Not only that, but we will also discover what He wants us to think of ourselves. Another way to find out what is true is through experience. If you find yourself constantly worried about money, but your finances always work out, take note of that. If you think everyone is out to get you, when in reality, no one bothers you at all, take note. Perhaps you’re holding on to some past offense and living in fear, rather than reality. The more self-aware you become, the better off you will be. Spotting lies will be easier, as will believing what’s actually true. Remember truth. While becoming aware of the truth is important, we humans and sinners naturally forget. Therefore, if we don’t want to forget, we need to create reminders for ourselves. These could come in the form of sticky notes, a journal, encouragement from peers, or some other daily or weekly habit. If God has provided for you in the past, don’t allow yourself to forget. Take note of your blessings. Literally, take notes. Write down why you’re grateful, your strengths, or why you have worth. The fears are going to keep coming. We are flawed people living in a flawed world, but they don’t have to possess so much power. The lies we believe become lies we ignore when we have something else to believe in. The Truth. Further Reading: Exodus 16:3 1 Corinthians 10:13 Isaiah 41:10 2 Timothy 1:7 Psalm 34:8 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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