Every Thursday I feature a “throwback” post from my blog archive. The goal is to look back and discover new lessons or opportunities to grow. This week, we’ll look at “Translation Please” You can view the original post here. For today, here’s a quick recap and a few more thoughts stacking those daily wins!

It’s that time again—time to raid the change jar. I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s like a mini treasure hunt. There’s an anticipatory thrill because, let’s be real, that jar usually contains a bit more cash than I expect. I’m not talking about expecting a dollar and finding 500; that’s next-level magic. I mean expecting thirty and getting fifty—consistently exceeding expectations.

But isn’t that just how change works? Not just the pocket change, but the changes we implement in our lives. We commit to working out a couple of times a week, and for a while, it feels like we’re pushing a boulder uphill. Then one day, our pants are practically sliding off!

Or when we decide to add some scripture into our morning routine. Initially, it’s just a few minutes of reading or meditating on the word, and suddenly we’re experiencing next-level peace, joy, and wisdom. Maybe we decide to jot down a few words each day. Before we know it, we’re staring at a finished manuscript, ready to send our first book out into the world. No matter the arena, small changes over time equal big results.

The same principle applies to finding our purpose. Sure, there might be a few exceptions, but generally, purpose is revealed over time. It’s a slow build, stacking up tiny, seemingly inconsequential moments, events, and conversations. Then, one day, we look around and realize that joy and purpose are along for the ride.

Living with purpose means more clarity, more joy, and a clear since of direction. Suddenly, our decisions and actions become a breeze—we walk with confidence, significance, and our lives gain meaning and value. But just like my jar of change, if I leave it on the shelf, I can never realize that value and put it to work. That jar is never going to cash itself in or deposit itself into my bank account. On the shelf, its just a jar full of metal. So, let’s talk about how we collect these small moments and cash them in toward purpose.

1. Find a place to store your spare change.

Just like the jar in my closet brimming with change, having a designated space is crucial for collecting these coins. Toss them in the door of my truck, the pocket of my pants, or scatter them around the house, and they’d vanish into the abyss. In the same way, there is a note on my phone called, “The Story File.” At the end of the day, I open up this note and jot down any standout moments paired with a word or brief phrase that will help me recall that moment or conversation later. Truth be told, about ninety percent of the blog posts on this site are born out of that file. Our stories—the highs, the lows, and everything in between—need to be captured. They serve as guideposts and mile markers that God uses to steer us in the right direction. Much like loose change scattered around my house, if we neglect to seize these moments, they are likely to slip into the abyss of forgetfulness.

So, where and how can you kick off your own story collection today?

2. Pay close attention to the BIG moments.

In the realm of spare change collection, stumbling upon a random quarter is a real joy. And the holy grail? those gold dollars from a few years back that often disguise themselves as quarters— that’s the dream! These moments might be rare, but when they happen, their impact is significant.

Likewise, in our lives, there are those extraordinary moments when God speaks loud and clear through a person or a situation. These divine moments demand our attention. When they occur, take a moment to sit with it, reflect on what God might be saying, and follow where He leads. Too often, we dismiss these occurrences as mere “coincidence” or blame it on “bad burrito.” The reality is, God speaks to us regularly. If we ignore His for too long, He might take the hint and leave us alone, or send a giant fish to swallow us up and take us where He wants us to go.

Reflecting on your journey, what significant moments has God used to breathe life and purpose into your path?

3. Cash it in and put it to work.

The change in my jar serves one purpose—to be spent. While we can choose to save or give it away, that metal holds no tangible value unless it is put to use. Our purpose is the same. If we understand why we were created and fail to use our gifts to serve God’s kingdom, it becomes worthless. Scripture reinforces this idea: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10, ESV). Our gifts, talents, abilities, and purpose are all for Him. It’s all for His kingdom. At some point, we have to step into the game and make a difference. We must share our gifts with the world and, in the process, share Jesus with them. Jesus puts it this way in Matthew 5:

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”

Matthew 5:14-16, NIV

Be that light. Don’t leave your gifts in a jar on a shelf. Use them to bring honor and glory to the One who created you, bestowed you with those gifts, and called you to a life of purpose.

Where can you get involved and use your gifts to guide others toward Jesus?

Just like my change jar, small deposits over time can add up to a big difference. As for the actual change, it will probably going to result in a new Lego set. But the small changes we implement in our lives—capturing stories, paying attention to significant moments, and then putting it to work—will result in a substantial difference over the long run. Let’s live with purpose and a kingdom focus today!