We're human and we're all not perfect: we make promises we don't or can't keep; we lose our composure from time to time; we don't 'make the grade' at school or uni or work, we overcommit and then can't fulfil those commitments; we disagree and have different perspectives. We sometimes mess up big time, with consequences for us and others.

But, when we feel like we've messed up and disappointed God, ourselves and/or others, God always has his arms wide open. He's the parent at the school gate who, when he sees his child has had a hard day, hugs them despite what's happened. We see this in the story of the Prodigal Son (read Luke 15). God is always for his children and is willing to get involved in their mess, even when they're covered in regret and pain. He will always run to embrace them, even when they've covered themselves in shame.

In God's word, we read, 'Show deep love for each other, for love makes up for many of your faults' (1 Peter 4:8 TLB). Like God and the father of the prodigal, we are called to love people, regardless. This is not always easy, because people may have really hurt us or let us down. Let's ask God to show us his love for us first, to help us to extend love to those around us. We are all loved, regardless.

So what now? If someone you know is struggling, get in touch just to ask how they are. Letting someone know you're concerned and there for them can make a world of difference.

Every week in most church services, the front row is taken up by worship leaders, youth pastors, leaders and their families. 'Why is that?' we may wonder. Do our brains ever think: 'Why isn't that me?' Or maybe instead we could thank God for their dedication and service? It's not a bad thought to want to be in a more visible, esteemed position. But what else is in that thought? Did this same thought happen at other times of our lives: at school, where there was always a circle of kids that everyone longed to be a part of; maybe at uni, or even at work, with the Big Names that everyone knows. That desire to be important in others' minds is one reason people want to be in the circle of 'special people' at the centre of most social groups.

As for the leadership roles here on earth, let's consider what Jesus said, 'Take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, "Friend, move up to a better place." Then you will be honoured in the presence of all the other guests' (Luke 14:10 NIV). If we're content to be ourselves, then any 'promotion' will be good and natural.

God knows our longing to be in the 'in crowd'. So he meets it himself. We're all warmly welcomed by our Father. In his Kingdom, there are no favourites, no first-tier or second-tier Christians.

So what now? Zoom in on the front row this Sunday. Which person can you bless or serve in some way?

Yesterday we read that God knows what he's doing, even if we have no idea of the future. But even though we know this, it can still be hard to move forward. This is particularly true if we're not yet sure where God is leading us. But God also makes this promise: 'I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them' (Isaiah 42:16 NIV). That's a great promise!

Plus, God encourages us: '"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"' (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). That's a reassuring place to start. The apostle Paul writes, 'I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called...I also pray that you will understand

the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him' (Ephesians 1:18-19 NLT).

It's scary to keep going without knowing, and it's scary having to wait but, at the right time, God will show us what we're meant to see and do.

So what now? Whether you have some idea of your future or not, ask God to help you see the light he shines on your next step. Keep praying that each day, thanking him in advance.

It's not easy to trust when we don't know what's going to happen. Being uncertain about parachuting is understandable, even though it's thoroughly tested and safety-checked by an expert before people do it. We know we shouldn't do risky activities until we've been taught by someone much more knowledgeable.

Sometimes we may not trust meeting new people or doing something out of our day-to-day routine.

We never really know what to expect in a new job or new friendship, or even when we wake up tomorrow. There's no way to be an expert on life before we've lived it but, wonderfully for us, God isn't fussed by that whole 'time' thing. He knows what's ahead of us, and he's far, far more knowledgeable than us.

God wants to help us learn how to trust: 'I will bring the blind by ways they have not known' (Isaiah 42:16 NIV). So there's no need to be scared when we don't know what lies ahead as long as we're willing to trust God to guide us through it.

So what now? Is there something (an activity, a life-long dream) you've been meaning to do, but you've been too freaked out about to try? This is the time to trust God, take that step in faith, and make your dream a reality. He's with you, saying, 'Be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go' (Joshua 1:9 TLB).

Words are powerful. Whether it's something blurted out unthinkingly in the middle of a conversation or a carefully thought-out and heavily edited line of poetry, words hold weight. We all know the 'sticks and stones' line isn't entirely accurate (more the 'words will never hurt me' part).

Words can hurt, but they can heal too: 'The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing' (Proverbs 12:18 NIV). And Proverbs 18:21 (NLT) says, 'The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences' - a warning, yes, but an encouragement too. What we say - in sermons or worship songs or while ordering a coffee - can help people immeasurably, sometimes without even knowing it. When God gives us power like that, it's not helping anybody to hold back from speaking out because of fear; this can be as harmful as being reckless with speaking out.

Knowing that we hold great power with what we say can be daunting, but all we have to do is ask God to guide us to the right things to say. Not every conversation we have will change somebody's life, granted, but we never know which one might.

So what now? Choose to use your words well. First, pray over the conversations you'll have today: ask God to bring the right people across your path. Then just talk to those people. It may be a 'you look nice' to someone, or asking about someone's life, or a life-changing conversation with someone who's struggling.

We may think of our body as a temporary dwelling that wears out quickly. But the Bible calls our bodies a 'temple'. Our body does a lot for us. When our mind and spirit are over-worked, our body tells us to eat and sleep, making sure we keep going and don't burn out. And it does the whole breathing thing without being asked! Long story short: our body is a gift. One of the best gifts we'll receive, not least because God is the giver.

And it's a gift we can sometimes be ungrateful for. How many times do we wish our body was harder/better/faster/stronger? We forget that the embarrassing belly-rumble in a quiet room is ensuring that we fuel ourselves, so that we have energy to do the amazing things we're capable of. Let's admit it, it's not often we thank God for our body. So, rather than neglecting the 'temple' we've been given, by not giving it enough rest or the right kind of nourishment, let's look after it and thank God for it.

Maybe we hate our thighs; let's thank God that we can dance with them. It's the mouth he gave us that lets us talk and sing, the eyes he designed that enable us to read and see beauty. He designed our body incredibly. Absolutely incredibly! So let's look after it as best we can.

So what now? Whenever you catch yourself criticising your body, think of a reason you're thankful for it instead. Do it tomorrow too.