What God Does in the Desert

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Recently, I was asked to speak at an incredible women’s event. It was strategic for me in so many ways. The first of which was to lead me into a micro-desert so I would remember the searing heat of spiritual dryness. The weeks leading up to the event felt like an assault on all sides. Chuck and I were sideways. Both of our cars ended up in the shop. And although the Lord had already given me an outline and revelation for the day, the head noise was loud. Real loud. Then on Friday afternoon, it came.

Streams in my desert.

I had done my part to prepare, or so I thought. I had the scriptures. The post-it notes. Time in worship. I had been interceding for the women and the team. But my heart — it was cracked and thirsty. I needed the river of heaven to wash my mind and spirit once again. The Holy Spirit came in a wave of revelation and comfort of a directed word. I had been sent to harvest where I had not sown. Yes, Lord. I was to release His living water. Yes, Lord. And the words kept rolling over me.

For the event, we used the anchor verse from Isaiah 43:18-19. This chapter is so rich and deep. And so needed.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I’m doing a new thing!
Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it?
I’m making a way in the wilderness and streams and the wasteland.

I became a Christian more than three decades ago. I’ve experienced many desert seasons and wilderness journeys with the Lord.  I will say, honestly, they all hurt. But frankly, they’re supposed to. God does things in the desert that He cannot do anywhere else. He has given me several pearls on this passage. Consider this the first of many from these verses.

The Lord told me He uses the desert seasons in our lives for three purposes: Assignment, Refinement, or Realignment.

Assignment.
God led the Hebrew children into the wilderness for a specific purpose. They were on assignment to experience firsthand His provision and protection, and to discover His goodness.  After generations of living as slaves, they were confused about God’s love and care, especially when things went terribly wrong. Sounds familiar. God wanted to build trust and intimacy with them. Why? Because they had been assigned to inhabit the Promised Land. Slaves don’t live in the Promised Land. Only children do.

Jesus also was led into the wilderness for a specific purpose. He was to face the temptations of the enemy. The parallel between their 40 years and His 40 days is incredible. Demanding manna, the satan offering bread.  Making of a golden idol, offering Jesus the world in exchange for worship.  When He came out of the wilderness, Luke 4 reads that Jesus was full of the power of the Holy Spirit and began his ministry. This creates great hope for our deserts. God wastes nothing.

Refinement
Many of us go into the desert looking more like Moses. The assignment may be clear, but the heart of the woman or man is lacking. There is work to be done. Inside of us. The Spirit uses this time to prepare us for our calling; to strip us of ourselves; to heal our bad traits; and to build up the weak places in our character. The calling on our lives has to be upheld by our character.

The hardship and strain of the desert allow us to face ourselves in a way that we couldn’t with all the noise and comforts that we surround ourselves with. The desert is meant to reveal who we are under pressure, without our props, so that God might fill us with His power, not our own.

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Now is the Season of Harvest

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Dang, it’s been a minute. But my heart is overflowing with God’s goodness. Many of you know God gave me a dream on July 7th, 2025. In my dream, I was walking down a hallway, sticking my head in doorways. One room was a plant nursery. I entered with joy, but was quickly disappointed. All of the plants were brown and dried out, the leaves hanging like crumpled paper over the sides of the pots. Instead of a thriving nursery, it looked like a plant graveyard. I quickly exited that room and continued to other rooms (that I can’t remember). I retraced my steps down the hallway, rushing past the plant morgue,  when I heard a woman’s voice call to me. I paused at the doorway. A woman stood in the middle of the room and beckoned to me. “Come here, I have something I want to show you,” she said.

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Pure. Promises.

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For decades now, I hang a calendar with monthly scriptures placed on beautiful art. It gives me a way to meditate on the word, get a quick reminder of truth, and sometimes a startling wake-up call. Last month, the verse was Psalm 12:6.  “The promises of the Lord are pure.”

At the beginning of November, Chuck flipped it over, and I mildly thought to myself, ‘Hmmm, that’s good. The Lord’s promises. Pure. Yep, got it.’ And went on my way.

Wow! What a month as He revealed truth in the middle of our moments.

His promises. 
We bank our lives and dreams on the promises He gives. We hope — and sometimes barter — and even worse, sometimes demand — to receive God’s promises of good and happy things. We all want a pain-free, problem-free life.  Yet more than a path of ease and entitlement, God promises us His Presence. Whatever we face, His presence is with us in a miraculous, tangible way.

Annnnnd. We have to ask, seek, knock, and receive the presence of God. It’s hard to have Him and everything else. Christ was born for the world, in the world.  Yet not all receive His good news.

Pure.
I kept pondering the word —pure. Promises that are pure in nature, in reality.

“What do impure promises look like?” I asked the Lord.
Human. He said.

Impure promises reek of ego and agenda. We bargain: I promise you this, so you give me that. Full of childishness and My-wayness, they are anything but pure. We sometimes approach God with the same thinly veiled demand, as if He owes us . . .

Yes, we have His promises. Yes, His presence gives us air to breathe and move. But believers, this is His world. His story. Heavenly purity is identified by surrender, abandon, and sacrifice. These postures may not sell well on social media, but they are priceless in the Holy of Holies.

Do not fall prey to a watered-down Christianity where you put in your Jesus tokens and get out some ready-made, shiny, happy life.

Childbirth in a stable was bloody and painful.
Crucifixion on Calvary was bloody and painful.

Both of those unexpected outcomes were Pure Promises from God.

God loves His children so much that He manifests His goodness in the crushing and the fire of the heartaches we find ourselves in.  Every single experience is wrapped in His eternal hand as He leads us into His loving arms.  Then, transformed, we finally see Love’s Pure Light.

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!

Do You Listen to Wisdom’s Call?

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I admit upfront, this is a bait-and-switch post. But with this photo, how can you NOT be a little curious?  Here is what happened. I am talking to Chuck about our fourth Christmas in Florida.  It is the first December we have not traveled since moving here. It’s also our first year to consider options for an actual deliberate tree. The previous three Christmas trees were last-minute, exhausted attempts at normal.

Here is our dilemma. In Knoxville, we had a family tradition: Go to Mayos. Pick out a fresh-cut tree. Get a free seedling and poinsettia. Snack on hot chocolate and cookies. Come home. We began this ritual thirty-plus years ago and pulled our kids into it as well. It was our Christmas kickoff event.

And now. We are often in shorts and t-shirts so there’s no need for hot chocolate. The former fake greenery over the mantle would just look—dumb. We don’t even have a fire! It is like I am trying too hard to recreate a wintry Pottery Barn scene when I live in the land of sand and palm trees. Get the picture?

So one day I was earnestly brainstorming with Chuck.  I mean, I was reeeeally problem-solving…

How about a living fruit tree? We can plant it later.
Or a real pine tree like years before? We can try to recreate tradition, but down here.
Or no tree at all?  Just give up the tradition.
Do we dare consider an artificial tree for the first time ever? Where would we store it?
Oh I know! How about tree Made Out Of Driftwood?? Yessssss.

And Chuck’s response?

“It’s green,” he said. ” Throw some lights on it. You can hang things on it! You can re-use it! It can live here the rest of the year! Problem solved.”

“This is why we can’t have nice things,” I said, cracking up.
“I know better than to listen to you!”
Hahaha.

Here’s the switch.

My husband is ridiculous AND hilarious. But after he went inside the store, I had a little moment with the Lord about listening for wisdom. What Chuck proposed, though inane —and illegal, would actually work. It just wasn’t wise.

The “wise” word triggered a little mental trek through Scripture.
The tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18) and,
Whoever considers himself wise should examine himself (1 Cor. 3:18) and,
Those who walk with the wise become wiser still (Proverbs 13:20).

How do we recognize wisdom?

There is a A LOT of crazy talk and action in our world. People are doing inane, ridiculous, and yes, even illegal things. Yet they act like it’s wisdom.

How do we walk in the Truth and Wisdom of God? How do we agree on what IS God’s pathway to these things— even among believers? I would say we need to examine our freedom and our love.

God’s truth sets us free.
Free from fear, retaliation, judgment, condemnation, performance, and hatred.
Wisdom “calls out” to us from a heavenly place to lead us to “pathways of righteousness for His name’s sake.”  Heaven sees sickness, death, anger, sin, and brokenness differently. God’s goal is our freedom from living in the shadow and curse of all of that. He has “shown us, oh man, what is good.” Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with our God.

Perhaps wisdom comes from simply asking: What is the truth in this situation?

God’s love changes us.
Love is the most radical motivator on the planet. The threat of AI, chemo, death, or social rejection is transformed when we allow our hearts to connect with Everlasting Love. His love changes our projections of the future. His presence refines our intentions and actions over time. What we think is best, or wise, or desirable is upgraded to His better ways. All of wisdom’s pathways are peace.

God’s goal is for His Love to be revealed to and in every human heart because His Love opens up divine wisdom. This applies to every person, race, country, religion—it triumphs over every man-made barrier.

All this musing because Chuck and I shared a BIG laugh.
I will keep you posted on the final tree decision.

In the meantime, check in with Holy Spirit. Are you being swayed by politics or pressure or popularity? Or is the freedom and love of God opening up new and heavenly places of His wisdom?

The Blessings of Wisdom

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who acquires understanding
for she is more profitable than silver,
and her gain is better than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire compares with her.

Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.

All her ways are pleasant,
and all her paths are peaceful.

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her,
and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

Proverbs 3 NIV

 

Cauterize: When Healing Hurts

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Relationships are hard. You know why? Because human hearts are broken.  We all have areas where sin, selfishness, or denial pollute our stories. Thankfully, Jesus has come for us.  “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” Psalm 34:18.  Even so, even with the Holy Spirit, we continue to find ourselves hurting others and being hurt in such a way that it causes us to shake our heads in shock and disbelief. God said to me once, you walk with a limp. We all walk with a limp. As soon as we accept this reality, He unveils the pathway of unconditional love. It is our calling.

But how? How, in the face of betrayal, disappointment, and failure, do we carry on in love?

God gave me a revelation decades ago, which burns just as hot for our current heartaches.

Through a prophetic prayer on a mission trip, God told me two pivotal relationships were shifting.  This word was confirmed when I returned home, but I still protested. I loved these friends. Despite the unhealthy tendencies, a deep affection existed with these women. God explained that our separation was needed for their growth — and mine.

As the threads of our lives began pulling apart, the Lord revealed my weaknesses and my role in the relational rat’s nest. Next came the grief. My heart balked over the loss of connection yet I complained every time I was with them, and when I wasn’t. It was an open emotional wound that I kept hitting at every turn, like an injured body part that keeps getting bumped.

The Lord gave me the word cauterize. Then He gave me a vision of a glowing firebrand coming toward my open wound. “No, don’t!” I said to the Lord, “I’m afraid of the pain!” The Lord gently asked me to trust Him and His process.

When I asked Him what on earth the vision meant, the Lord explained the whole point of cauterization was to instantly seal a wound to prevent infection, and to hasten scabbing and scarring to prevent further pain. He said He would cauterize my relational wound so that it could heal and still have a protective covering. He would desensitize it so that I could be around them without all the pain.  He did just that.

After the searing.

Here we are years later, and all three of us are healthier, at peace, and still friends.

However,  recent woundings have caused that weighty word — cauterize— to resurface again. Again, I am looking for His fiery touch to seal off the wounding.

People lie. We fail. We blow it. We lose our way.
We attack others with half-truths instead of owning our sin.
We malign instead of listening to the Spirit’s wisdom.
We isolate, or violate, instead of repenting and repairing.

We all walk with a limp. We are all in need of forgiveness.
The good news is we all HAVE forgiveness— and — we MUST activate it to live it out.

To move forward, to continue the human trial-and-error journey of love, we must appeal to the Great Physician for radical intervention. He will hurt us to heal us sometimes. Hear me now. He will bring a word, a scripture, a rebuke or exhortation, any fiery tool to seal up our wounds and speed our healing. Perhaps a hot coal from His altar.

And it will hurt.
Desperately.
And it will heal.
If we let Him.

I wonder, are you in need of a radical spiritual intervention?

Will you allow the Holy Spirit to bring a holy fire to your mortal wound so that you might walk in a way worthy of our calling? It is for freedom that Christ set us free.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  Ephesians 4:1-6

Transition: A Parable of the Pothos Plant

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Transitions are hard. It seems all of creation strains in the tension of no longer. In nature —we glory and grieve the colorful falling tree leaves. In death — we mourn as our temporary physical house is exchanged for our incorruptible eternal home. In relationships — emotions, memories, and future hopes mingle to form what we call The New Normal. Haha. Who are we kidding? Nah, there’s no new normal, because normal doesn’t exist anymore. There’s only New. Transitions are often just trainwrecks that have to be cleaned up.

Just for fun, I looked up the definition of the word. Transition: to make a change or shift from one state, subject, place, etc. to another. I had to chuckle with the Lord. “We shifted from one state to another alright,” I laughed out loud.

As I handed the baton of Greater Things to Emily and the Leadership Team (love those women!) God talked to me about His idea of transition.

Humans tend to think in terms of pain, loss, and cost.
Heaven tends to think in terms of expansion, multiplication, and reward.

Enter my lowly Pothos plant. Charis brought me a start from her plant that actually came from my dad’s funeral. When she presented the small, healthy little vine, she had one instruction: Mom, don’t kill it.

I put the plant in my kitchen window and watered it faithfully once a week. Charis would periodically visit and inspect my project. The plant seemed happy, and long vines began growing from the original shoot. Charis would gently circle it around the pot until I brought a trellis for it to climb instead of my windowsill and countertop.

Charis laughed and praised me. “Mom, whatever you are doing, it’s working. Don’t change a thing.” I followed her instructions for months, as the plant grew and weaved through the trellis.

Fast forward to my return home from the beautiful commissioning service in Knoxville. Needless to say, there were lots and lots of emotions and thoughts to process. I had a fair share of questions for the Lord, too.

In one conversation, He drew my attention to the Pothos plant and said it was time to separate it. The Lord said it couldn’t continue its current good health unless it was thinned out and put into a bigger pot.

I took the plant outside to begin the process of detangling it. I had to be so careful not to snap its tender vines as I pulled each one under and over. The strands were so intertwined, it was a tender and tedious job. I would finally get to the end of a vine and lay it to one side, then grab another strand and repeat the process.

I was amazed when I beheld the plant in its fullness. All that growth and beauty was tucked in one little pot, long and lush and vibrant. Now came the wrenching act of breaking the vines for repotting.

Wait, what? I worked so hard to grow them, now I am breaking them off??

You probably already know where this is going. . . As I was digging in the dirt, the Lord just kept telling me: Pay attention. Pay attention. Pay attention.

I now have my Pothos trimmed back so that it fits appropriately in the pot that it started in. It sits back cozy in my windowsill. Everything that I cut off of it has made this huge draping plant that is potted in a container three times bigger.

Pay attention. God went on to explain the parable to me.

Greater Things, much like the gatherings of people in the Bible, has all these rich, deep teachers growing inside this beautiful container. There is this profound deposit of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. The Lord said there’s not enough room in the current pot, and it needs to be separated and spread out so it can grow freely and fully.

He then did a little flash card journey through the Bible of people who were transplanted: Abraham and Sarah, Esther and Mordecai, Paul and Barnabas, the Jews scattered out of Jerusalem, and the disciples called to different regions.

God used a little Pothos to show me part of why I’ve been transplanted to Florida. Others in GT, like me, are going through moves and shifts. There is a huge Transition happening in the root system because God has a much bigger picture in mind.

But. And. Guess what?
All of my Pothos plants, the original and the new pots, are in shock.

They are literally in shock from the vine detangling, the new soil, the new pots, the disturbance of the roots. Before the transition, I saw fresh sprigs every day. Now it is like all of the vines are taking a deep breath. I asked the resident Pothos Doctor, Charis, and she assured me, “Mom, they are okay. They just need a minute to catch up.”

She explained that they are alive and well, but everyone needs a moment to get the roots strengthened and manage all the change.

Selah.

Remember how we view transition is important.
Human terms: pain, loss, and cost.
Heavenly terms: expansion, multiplication, and reward.

This is a new season of Greater Things. It is alive and well as the plant of origin. It just needs a little time to adjust. It needs a little love and encouragement in the change. Have you personally reached out to Emily and the team, Melissa, Ann, Lindsey, and Robin? They could use a fresh hug and a fresh vote of confidence. God is still blessing this beautiful planting. Are you?

It’s a brand new time for me. God has recently whispered the name of my new nonprofit in Florida.
Wait for it. . . Many Waters

Siiiigh, I LOVE it. Lots of work to still do, but in the meantime, He keeps connecting me to women who want more of Jesus.

The others of GT who are moving are going to places where God has assigned them to impact and invest. Yes, it’s a shock to all of us! We all need a moment to catch our breath. But WE ARE ALL ALIVE AND WELL! We get to be part of planting beautiful, new works with Jesus wherever we are.

Transitions are hard, no doubt. Like gardening, it gets dirty, manure stinks, and digging kills your back. Yet we trust that God plants in good, rich soil (or sand!) and He promises a kingdom harvest with great multiplication. Yes, Lord. We are wherever you plant us!!

Hello Friends! I’m Ba-a-a-ack…

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Dear friends,

I’m excited to let you know that I’m starting up the creative engines again. My main focus is on the upcoming Beach Retreat. Whew, please pray.

But blogs, videos and lots of revelations are on the way. 🎉

Over the years, many of you have stayed connected with me through Greater Things. But now, since my final move to Florida in July (it just took me 2.5 years to complete!), I will again share stories, truth, and encouragement from JanaSpicka.com

Going forward, you’ll receive an email whenever I post something new. You don’t need to do a thing—just keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

That said, I want this to be valuable to you. If you’d prefer not to receive my updates, no worries at all! To unsubscribe, click the link in the footer of this email.

Otherwise, here we go! I’m grateful you’re here, and I can’t wait to share the journey into MORE

!

With deep gratitude,
Jana

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Celebrate Freedom to Pray

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There are several scriptures describing how God sets the authorities in place. These verses instruct us to pray for our leaders and those in power in other countries as well.

We are called to intercede. Not because we like them, but because we’re asking God to move through them despite their weaknesses— just like we’re asking God to move through us despite our weaknesses.

You’ve seen this already. Haters gonna hate. It doesn’t matter who is in office.

Regardless of the victorious person or party, there is always a camp that doesn’t like the elected official and finds him/her offensive, divisive, and not the right person.

Here is a thought I gave to a friend who greatly dislikes our sitting president.

Historically speaking, people are remembered for what they did or didn’t do, instead of who they are specifically as people.

JFK was quite a scoundrel. He was boldly immoral, a proud, silver-spoon elitist. Yet people talk about what he accomplished while in office more than any personal failings.

In contrast, Jimmy Carter was an amazing man in every way. He loved Jesus, was a humble, beautiful soul, and faithful to the end. However, he is remembered as a lackluster president and his inactions damaged the country at that time.

So while we are celebrating our freedoms from tyranny, please pray for all leaders in power at this time. Pray that God would show his mercy to the nations. Also, pray for His wisdom to be released and for humans to receive His wisdom.

God is always telling a story bigger than what we can see. Remember the confusion among the disciples, each one having a plan for Jesus and their remedy for Roman tyranny. But Jesus only had one purpose in mind—the plan of His Father.

Then and now, a much bigger story is unfolding.

At the very end of this whole earth experiment, there are a couple of questions we will have to answer:

Have we learned how to love the way Jesus loves us?

Have we given our all in loving God?
Loving ourselves?
Loving others?
Loving our enemies?

There’s a line from an Amanda Cook song that moves me every time.  “Your love is a fury all its own.”

This kind of power changes our world. Let’s release this kind of love in our prayers.

First of all, then, I urge that
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings
be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions,
that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life,
godly and dignified in every way.
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
who desires all people to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1–4

So, Now What?

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Worship music was playing as I got ready this morning. I sang along but I wasn’t necessarily heart-engaged. Then the song Find Me by the Helsers came on. One line stopped me short. “Til all I know is I’ve been found by Love.” In a moment I was in tune with Holy Spirit. Found by love.
Found. By. Perfect Love. I’ve never been the same. How about you?

Screenshot



The song goes on to repeat a musical prayer. At the end of my days, Lord find me, faithful.  

Selah. 

Let us continue in devotion and hunger.
Let our faith drive us to more and more risk in the power of Jesus.
Let us forever rejoice to simply be found by Love. 

June 28th I celebrated 33 years being found by God. Not that He ever lost me, but I lost connection with Him. I remember that day like it was yesterday. 

I had been in and out of churches most of my life, baptized three times in different denominations. Yet  I still bore the scars of shame, abortion, and sin’s wreckage. My heart was still very much lost. 

I ran crying out of my current church and into a nearby gazebo. I had crossed some threshold of knowing, that despite going through the motions, I did not know God.  My Bible, which I also did not know at all, fell open to 1st John 4.

Perfect love casts out fear. 

I called out to the evening sky. What do you want from me? 

And for the first time, I heard Him. Your heart.

I told Him I didn’t have much heart left.

Just give me the pieces and I’ll take it from here. He said.

At that moment, I experienced this distinct reality of chains rattling and a cage flinging open. In the physical, I took a deep breath like I was breathing for the first time. All the brokenness had been washed off. I felt free for the very first time— and loved. Perfectly loved.

I laughed through my tears, “If this is what freedom feels like, I’ll never shut up again.” 

He made sure of that! I shared my testimony for the first time six months later and have been sharing my God-life ever since.  

Jesus and I have gone from one adventure to another. Then He birthed the beautiful adventure of Greater Things. 

So many miracles. So much joy. So much challenging growth.

And we’re still not done  God is setting the stage for new works for me and Chuck in Florida, and continued growth for the new GT in Tennessee, as we all carry the same powerful story. 

“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

33 years later, I can certainly attest to God’s faithfulness to me in every season, every broken place, every need, and every desire. Through each step, He’s been good and so very, very present. 

I’m sure your story is similar. What then can we offer Him?

At the end of my days, Lord find me, faithful.  

A Personal Letter From Jana

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My dear friend, how do we begin?

As they say – it’s the end of an era. The only good way to rip off this Band-Aid is to say that God has told me it is time to pass the baton as the Director of Greater Things.

I could talk about all of the things that we’ve accomplished together. I could talk about how grateful I am for all that God has done through His mandate to encounter Jesus, elevate women, embrace co-heir, and expand the kingdom.

But this letter is personal.  I decided to spare you my handwriting and instead type it out. Please understand, even though this is going to all of you, it’s still deeply close to my heart.

A Mother’s Heart

I didn’t start this ministry journey as a spiritual mother.

I started out as a lovesick woman who wanted to do whatever her God said to do.

I was terrified in the beginning, and still am sometimes.
I was rough around the edges, raw in my speaking, and often offensive.
I still am sometimes. Smile.

What changed over the years is the flow with the Spirit of God. I went from a quaking, obedient daughter to realizing I was simply made to be a lover of Jesus. I could flow with God as He rescued, restored, and released his people into freedom and fullness.

Here we are, decades later, and I stand amazed by God’s crazy outpourings since 2003: small groups, Women Getting Real, Greater Things, New Wine Church, all the events and classes. I tell you, getting to be on the front lines and watch people fall in love with the living God has been one of my greatest delights. I was changed by it all too.

Maybe it was waking up in the middle of the night praying for my tribe whether they were near or far, old or new.

Maybe it was seeking God’s heart for what to bring to the events and classes.

Maybe it was challenging people to keep moving toward the Lord, to listen to his Spirit, to keep believing against all odds.

Maybe it was in those moments that God birthed a mother’s heart in me for this beautiful community. 

Let me clarify. I know that the relationships vary between peer, friend, mentor, teacher, etc. However, I find now in leaving GT, the best way to describe my gut-wrenching feelings is that of a mother’s ache and groan.

It helps that I’ve learned how to raise and launch my own children. I can reflect on what I did well and did wrong and receive grace for it all. I can recognize they are God’s children and He will carry them. I can embrace the reality that the relationship with my adult children will be radically different than when they were in my house. The same is true with those in the GT House, or history.

Like my natural children, my spiritual “children” are also deeply planted in my heart forever. I can testify to John’s words in 3 John 4. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

So, wow. What’s next?

I will be transitioning out of a leadership role this summer. God very clearly appointed Emily Delape as the next Director of Greater Things and she will join an incredibly powerful and anointed leadership team that includes Melissa Langford, Lindsey Hickman, Anna Moore, and Robin Leiser. Also, Laura Collins who is on sabbatical. 

We are praying and listening for all God is doing in the new season. Rest assured that God has equipped many voices and leaders within GT to sing His song, women and men. Now is their time.

Will I ever teach in TN in the future? As the Lord wills, and I am invited. Wink.

What will I be doing next? I know that God moved me to Florida for a reason. My calling remains but in a different region. He recently gave me a word that “things grow differently in sand.” So in short, I am NOT sitting on the dock of the bay, wasting time…

Please attend. 

We are having a Decade of Devotion Celebration on July 10, 7:00—9:00 at the GT House. Chuck and I would love to hug your neck and praise God for all He has done. We will worship and pray for the Spicka’s new assignment and for Emily and the team in this new season of Greater Things. The Lord has given me whispers that the latter house of GT will be greater than the former house. It is my soul’s desire.

Thank you.

You have been a faithful supporter of Greater Things. In finances, prayers, serving, mentoring, volunteering — simply believing in the vision and mission of GT. I have said it so many times and it is still true. We are deeply rooted and connected in Christ and that carries across seasons, years and miles. We need each other to do what we do, to be who God has called us to be. Thank you for the big and small ways you have walked with me and GT. 

The Lord sees your heart and sacrifice and will reward it. I see your heart and investment and I am humbled by your love and support. Truly, thank you. And…there is more harvest to come! Let’s all keep investing in this important work. 

May this beautiful tree planted by God in Greater Things continue to grow so that more people may be nourished by revelation and community and be rooted in their sincere love for God.

May our Great and Beautiful God get all the glory. May He get the glory for every drop of precious oil and devotion we have poured on His feet. He alone is worthy. 

You are forever in my heart,

Jana