By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

Singer, actor, soldier, the king of rock and roll.  Each of those descriptive terms belong to a man named Elvis Presley.  I snapped this photo of his grave on one of our family trips to Graceland through the years.  There has always been a fascination with Elvis, his music, his family, and the life he lived, from his poverty-filled beginnings in that tiny house in Tupelo, Mississippi, to the money, cars, women, and so many other issues that plagued his more financially lucrative years.

At today’s current rates, in order to visit Graceland for a self-guided tour, one must pay at least $85.00.  For upwards of $260, an individual could receive some “extras” along the way.  Some 600,000 people fork out the money to visit Elvis’s place every year.  More than 20 million people have visited there since it opened to the public in 1982.  It staggers the mind to think of the devotion and sheer idolization that exists when it comes to the man whose hip gyrations were once considered too vulgar for television.

When is the last time you had to stand in line to step into a house of worship?  When is the last time you and your family members made plans to truly visit your church house and experience the worship that takes place there.  When is the last time you felt devoted to the Lord or to His House?  When is the last time you felt the cost was worth it?

One of the ten commandments reminds us that we are not to have any idols.  These idols, which can be things or people themselves, take our focus from all that is pure and holy.  Anything or anyone who disrupts my focus and my vision of the Lord has become an idol in my life.

Now, I have nothing against the man Elvis.  I never knew him.  My mother-in-law remembered attending one of his concerts years ago.  I’ve never known that excitement.  

What I have known is love and devotion that I have for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  As you travel through your days ahead, remember that things are just things.  People are just people.  None should be put on a pedestal.  Even Elvis experienced a great sadness and loneliness in his later years.  

I can only imagine the excitement, the pomp and circumstance, the fantastic fanfare that there will be when the Lord’s people come into His presence!  And here’s the greatest part — He has already bought your ticket.  All you have to do is accept it and step on in!

Just a thought.

There are seasons in life when the winds seem relentless. Challenges come one after another, uncertainty clouds our path, and we wonder how much longer we can keep pressing forward. Yet in His perfect wisdom, God often provides moments of peace in the middle of the storm. They may not mean the storm is over, but they are reminders that He is still in control.

These quiet moments are gifts from our Heavenly Father. They are opportunities to catch our breath, renew our strength, and remember that we were never meant to carry life’s burdens alone. Just as sailors treasure a lull in the wind to repair their sails and prepare for what lies ahead, we should treasure the peaceful pauses God gives us. They are not interruptions to our journey. They are part of His provision for it.

Too often we spend those peaceful moments worrying about the next storm instead of enjoying the rest God has graciously provided. Instead, let us receive those seasons with gratitude. Laugh with your family. Spend time with friends. Worship freely. Rest without guilt. Rejoice in the goodness of the Lord. These moments strengthen our hearts and prepare us for whatever comes next.

If you find yourself in one of those quiet seasons today, thank God for it. Embrace it. Let your soul be refreshed. And if you are still in the middle of the storm, take heart. The God who calms the raging sea also knows when you need a moment of peace. His timing is always perfect, and His faithfulness never fails.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

May we learn to recognize the peaceful pauses God places along our journey, receive them with thankful hearts, and trust that the One who carries us through the storm is also the One who lovingly gives us rest along the way.

Every person we encounter is fighting battles we may never see. It is easy to notice flaws, shortcomings, or mistakes, but Christ calls us to look deeper. He sees every individual as someone created in His image, worthy of grace, compassion, and love. Imagine how our relationships, workplaces, churches, and communities would change if we intentionally chose to see the potential in others instead of focusing on their imperfections.

Loving others does not mean ignoring wrong or pretending people are perfect. It means choosing mercy over judgment, encouragement over criticism, and understanding over assumption. When we extend the same grace that God has so generously given to us, we become a reflection of His love to those around us. Sometimes the kind word, patient response, or simple act of compassion we offer may be exactly what someone needs to experience hope.

Jesus demonstrated this throughout His ministry. He welcomed the overlooked, forgave the broken, and loved people before they had their lives together. As His followers, we are called to do the same. When we ask God to help us see others through His eyes, He softens our hearts and reminds us that every person has immeasurable value in His sight.

This week, challenge yourself to look for the good in someone who may be difficult to love. Offer encouragement where others expect criticism. Extend kindness where others may choose indifference. You may never know the impact your love has on another person’s life, but you can be confident that every act of genuine compassion reflects the heart of Christ.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
Ephesians 4:32

May we strive each day to love others as Christ has loved us, seeing people not simply for who they are today, but for who God created them to become.