More from Ryan Stratton

Over the past several months, God has been at work in my life in ways that continue to surprise me. When I wrote my recent meditation for The Upper Room about praising God and the sound of trumpets, I had no idea how much the Lord would keep that theme alive in my daily rhythm. God has been using every possible avenue to teach me to praise God more, not only through scripture, conversations, and quiet moments, but also through trying and difficult circumstances that have stretched my faith. Some days the lessons feel gentle and encouraging. Other days they come wrapped in challenges that push me to trust God more deeply than I expected. In all of it, God keeps inviting me to lift my eyes, lift my voice, and notice the grace that fills even the smallest corners of ordinary life.

One major place where this lesson has taken root is in the new chapter my family and I have begun this past summer. My wife and I were reappointed to two new churches, and if you have ever experienced a pastoral transition, you know that it can bring equal parts excitement and uncertainty. Yet from our very first Sunday, we felt an overwhelming sense of welcome. These congregations have shown us hospitality, patience, and genuine love. Our children have settled in quickly, and the new surroundings already feel like home. In all of this, I cannot help but praise God for going before us and preparing the way long before we packed our first moving box.

Writing continues to be one of the ways I stay grounded in God’s grace. My blog at www.revryanstratton.com remains a place where I wrestle with scripture, faith, and the everyday realities of ministry. Recently I launched a Substack as well, which has created a new opportunity to connect with readers who are hungry for thoughtful, grace-filled reflections that meet them in the middle of real life. I never take for granted that anyone would choose to read what I write, so every subscriber feels like a small gift from the Lord, a reminder that words can create space for encouragement and renewal.

Even with all these changes, one of my greatest joys remains the same. There is nothing quite like watching people experience the incredible grace God so freely gives. I see it when someone hears a familiar scripture in a new way. I see it in the smile of a child receiving Communion for the first time. I see it in the tears of a person who realizes they are forgiven and deeply loved. Moments like these are the reason I answered this call in the first place. They keep me hopeful. They keep me humble. They keep me praising.

So if you happened to read my meditation in The Upper Room, thank you. I meant every word I wrote about the beauty of praising God and the sound of trumpets, and I continue to learn those truths in my own life. My prayer for you is simple. May God draw near to you in ways that surprise you, steady you, and fill you with God’s grace. And may you find, in the middle of your everyday life, countless reasons to praise the One who holds you close.