Note to reader—the following is a transcript of the video.

The Trailblazer

For those trying to prove they can make it on their own.

You’ve heard it said, “God helps those who help themselves.” Hasn’t anyone ever said that to you before? Sounds kind of encouraging, right? Well, at the university, I was a literature major. And, I read a lot of Emerson, the famous poet and philosopher that led this transcendentalist movement. He wrote an essay entitled “Self-Reliance,” and I was really drawn to it. I love the manly, rugged prose, and it really moved me to a boldness to exert myself in this world.

And it sounds wonderful, right? Bold and daring! But that story that we tell ourselves about the fulfillment of a self-made life—it just isn’t true.

I tried so many different things, and they all looked good to me on paper. But as time passed, I felt this nagging weight of emptiness. And I was surrounded by awesome people. But this loneliness and this restlessness—it plagued me.

I knew something was missing. My life was full of anxiety, and I was restless, and it was embarrassing. After all I’d been given in life, This was where I’m going to end up? The Bible says, sin is fun for a while, “in its season,” it says, but in the long run, it twists your life's path away from its greater purpose. Thankfully, in life, along the way, you sometimes run into a crossroads. It's like an interruption or a crisis… something that makes you think seriously.

The beauty of finding yourself at a crossroads in life is it offers you the potential for change. The Bible says this in Jeremiah 6…

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Wow, that’s what I wanted—rest for my soul!

Whether you’re aware of it or not, there’s a plan for your life. There is a God who loves you. Jesus’ love for you—it’s complete, and you don't have to prove anything to qualify for it. He loves you right now—this very moment.

But no one else can reply to the call of God on your behalf. No one walks in it for you. There’s your independence! It’s up to you! You have the freedom to choose. Even right now, you can turn to Him.

You can stop searching the world for meaning, and turn to the One who’s always been with you—who has a clear path for your life.

In 2 Corinthians 12 Jesus said…

My grace [this unmerited favor that I’m offering you] it’s all you need. My power works best in weakness.

And that’s why He offered Himself up as a sacrifice for you—to provide a better way—the only way.

If you choose to accept all this, your wrongs, your mistakes—all of that can be washed away, and He'll give you a fresh start.

No matter where you are in life, no matter what has happened up to this point, you can turn to Him. He has a life filled with meaning and purpose available for you. And I want to urge you—say YES to His offer.

You can pray with me right now…

Lord, I’ve tried so hard to find my place in this world, and it’s left me empty. And now, God, I bring all of these things to You: my weaknesses, my failures, my bad behavior. Please forgive me. Wash away all of my sin and all of this mess. Lord, please take it and set my feet in a new direction. God, I want You to be following You as Lord of my life, and I want to live in Your peace, and the joy and fulfillment. I need rest for my soul. Thank you. I want Your will to be done in my life. From this day, at this crossroads, I change direction to go forward on Your path. And I pray this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.