1 True Talks
1 True Talks
Embracing Active Faith: Transforming Waiting into Purposeful Living
Could waiting be the most powerful step you take toward living a life rich in faith and purpose? We reframe how we think about waiting and faithfulness in our lives, especially if you're navigating singleness. Inspired by the parable of Matthew 25, we explore how to transform passive waiting into active faithfulness, turning the gifts, time, and energy God has given us into something beautiful right now. Whether you're single or in a relationship, this conversation encourages you to embrace the power of possibility and make bold choices as we step into a fresh chapter of life in 2025.
This episode isn't just about setting goals; it's about aligning them with God's unique calling for our lives. By focusing on Faith, Purpose, and Connection, we aim to nurture our relationship with God and fulfill the mission He has placed on our hearts. From starting a devotional plan to prioritizing prayer, these intentional goals go beyond typical resolutions, helping us to build a life worth living today. Listen as we commit to a year of meaningful growth and discovery, inviting you to seize this opportunity and create a life of purpose that reflects your faith and calling.
Hi, I'm Renee Richel, the founder and president of 1 True Match. I'm here to help you find and cultivate the love of your life. For over a decade, I've dedicated my life to the importance, purpose and dynamic of human relationships. My team and I are disciplined by faith, love and integrity to help our clients find the quality relationship they've always dreamt of. Each week, I will be sharing the tools and tips I've learned that have rooted my success as a matchmaker with other leaders around the world.
Renee Richel:Hello, loves. Today we are going to talk about the gift of waiting, god's purpose in your single season. So, first of all, happy New Year. I hope you all had a blessed, joyful time celebrating new beginnings and reflecting on 2024. There's something so powerful about turning the page on the calendar a sense of possibility, hope and maybe even a little bit of uncertainty. As we step into this fresh chapter, let's take a moment and really reset how we think about the days ahead. Let's move beyond the idea of waiting waiting for a relationship, for life to feel complete or for a prayer to be answered. Instead, let's talk about what it means to be faithful right now and how to embrace active living in the season God has you in. Let's not just hope for a good year. Let's build one together.
Renee Richel:Faithfulness is an active choice. When we hear the word faithful, we might think of waiting patiently, trusting quietly. And while patience and trust are part of faithfulness, let's flip the script this new year. What if being faithful means being bold and active with the time God's given you? Think of Matthew 25. The servants who were called faithful weren't the ones who waited and played it safe. They were the ones who invested what they had, took risks and made something of their time. God isn't asking you to sit around and do nothing until life changes. He's inviting you to step forward in faith to use your gifts, your time and your energy to build something beautiful, starting today. Being faithful means showing up for your life. It means asking what can I do with what I've been given right now? How can I serve love and grow in this season?
Renee Richel:Let's talk about singleness, because I know this is a season where many of us feel like we're waiting for the next chapter to begin. What if we stopped seeing singleness as a holding pattern and started seeing it as an empowered season of action? In Ephesians 2.10, we're reminded that we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good work. Notice that this doesn't say after you get married or once you meet the one. It says right now, in the present time. This is the time to build, explore and invest in your faith, your calling, your community and your passions. You're not putting off life until you find a partner. You're building a life worth living right now. Ask yourself what mission has God placed on my heart? What passion have I been holding back? Let's commit to acting on these callings in the new year, setting intentional goals that align with God's purpose.
Renee Richel:Now let's talk about goals, because what's a new year without a little goal setting right? However, I want to challenge you to go deeper than the usual resolutions. Hitting the gym, saving money, all of those things. Those goals are great, but let's make sure our goals reflect a bigger purpose, god's unique calling for our lives. Goals rooted in God's purpose aren't just about productivity or self-improvement. They're about becoming more like Christ and living out the mission he placed on your heart. They're not tasks to check off a list. They're signposts guiding you towards the life God created you to live. So how can we set goals that truly matter? Let's break it down into three powerful categories Faith goals, purpose goals and connection goals. Number one faith goals Drawing closer to God. Our relationship with God is the foundation of everything else in our lives. When we set goals to deepen that relationship, we're investing in the most important part of who we are.
Renee Richel:Start a devotion plan, whether it's a 30-day challenge or a year Bible study. Commit to spending dedicated time each day in God's Word. A devotion can guide your heart, give you new insight and help you stay consistent. Prioritize prayer time. Set a special time each day to talk with God. Have conversation with him. Maybe the first thing would be in the morning, or during your commute, or right before bed, or even both. Do it a couple times a day, if you can. Let this be a sacred space and time where you pour out your heart and listen to his voice. Create a gratitude journal. Write down three things you're grateful for each day. Recognizing God's blessings help shift your focus from what you lack, of how he's providing. Attend a new Bible study or join a small group. Surround yourself with other believers who can encourage, challenge and walk with you in your faith. These goals aren't about rules or routines. They're about strengthening your relationship with the Lord. When we prioritize the time with God, we align our hearts with His and open ourselves to His guidance.
Renee Richel:Number two purpose goals Living out your calling. Each of us are unique and have a purpose, a calling that God has planted deep in our hearts. Maybe it's something out of the ordinary or something you're unaware of and you haven't noticed in a while, or maybe it's this year you discover it. Your purpose might not be a grandiose, flashy mission. It could be as simple and powerful as using your gifts to serve those around you Ask yourself what has God placed on my heart? What am I passionate about? Now, take an intentional step to pursue that calling. Start a new project. Maybe it's launching a business idea, starting a blog or creating art that brings people joy and points them to God. Serve others. Volunteer at the church, community center or a local ministry. Use your gifts to make differences where God has planted you, and if you need any suggestions, we have a ton of ideas and incredible leaders that would love for you to get involved. Anywhere you are, anywhere in this world, learn something new, take a course, read books or find mentors who will help you develop skills that align with your calling.
Renee Richel:Step out in faith. Maybe God is nudging you towards something that feels big and scary, like leading a small group, starting a ministry or speaking publicly. Trust him and take that step. He will not let you fail. He will guide your words, he will guide your steps and he will be there. Purpose goals are about action, saying yes to what God is asking of you. They help you to live with intentionality and remind you that you're part of a bigger story and plan.
Renee Richel:He has Number three connection goals building stronger relationships. God created us for community. We're not meant to walk through life alone. Setting goals to nurture and strengthen your relationships can make your year richer and more fulfilling. Invest in friendships. Make it a goal to reach out to a friend once a week, whether it's a quick coffee date or a phone call or a heartfelt message. Let your friends know they matter. Practice intentional communication. Set a goal to listen more deeply, express love more often and resolve conflicts with grace.
Renee Richel:Serve your community and resolve conflicts with grace. Serve your community. Find ways to give back, whether it's volunteering at a shelter, mentoring a young person or helping out at church. Serving others builds bonds that reflect God's love. Become a mentor or find one. Invest in someone who's younger in faith or life experiences, or seek out someone who can help guide you and encourage you. Connection goals remind us that relationships are holy ground. When we love and serve others, we reflect God's heart and create space for him to move in our lives. Remember it's about becoming who God created you to be.
Renee Richel:So, in conclusion, to wrap all this up, at the end of the day, these goals aren't just about doing more, about doing more. They're about becoming more, more like Christ, more aligned with God's plan and more aware of his presence in your life and, as you set your goals for the year, pray about them. Ask God what do you want me to pursue this year? What are you leading me towards? And trust that, as you take steps forward, he will be with you every step of the way.
Renee Richel:Let's step into this new year with open hearts, clear intentions and the confidence that God is doing good work in us. You're not just setting goals. You're shaping a life that honors God and reflects His love to the world. As we embrace this new year, let's step forward with hearts full of faith and hands ready to act. You are not waiting for life to begin. You are living it right now. God has a plan for your life in this season, and it's a great one. I am so excited to walk into this year with you, growing together in faith, purpose and love. I hope that today's message spoke to you. Please share it with your friends and let's build a community that chooses action over waiting. Next week, we are going to talk about seasons of growth, how expectations can deepen your faith. I hope you have a wonderful week and a fabulous new year. I can't wait for our next chat. Please remember to like this, share and tune back in every Thursday for our next topic. I'm going to love and leave you and hope you have a blessed day.
Renee Richel:It's been another great talk on this episode of 1 True Talks by Renee Richel. I look forward to our next chat. Please write in your questions and comments so I can be sure to talk about whatever it is you want to discuss in our next upcoming episode. Lots of love, god bless XOXO.