Mosaic - Erwin McManus

This message takes us deep into the story of Ruth and Naomi—a story born in the rubble of famine, grief, and despair, yet transformed by faith, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to love. Pastor Erwin Raphael McManus explores how even our most bitter chapters can become the prologue to something beautiful if we choose to turn the page.

On a day as layered as Mother's Day—where joy and pain often collide—we’re reminded that our relationships with our mothers, our God, and our community shape more of our soul than we realize. Through personal stories, raw honesty, and powerful biblical insight, Pastor Erwin invites us to write a new story—not by erasing the past, but by choosing our next line with intention, courage, and faith.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your story can begin again, or questioned if the pain you carry disqualifies you from hope, this message is for you. There’s an epic still waiting to unfold—if you’ll trust the Author and take the first step.

Have you ever wondered what story you're living in? This week, Lead Pastor Erwin McManus addresses five key mental, emotional, and spiritually-based stories we tell ourselves: that we are the victim, the martyr, the innocent, the hero, or the servant.

 Adam and Eve both fall into the ‘victim’ story, blaming one another for their mistakes instead of taking personal ownership. In the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 18, we see the mentality of the ‘martyr.’ Elijah sees himself as the only person left who is committed to following God, blind to those around him who are after the same cause.

 In Matthew 27, Pilate had the power to release Jesus from being condemned. He prioritized remaining ‘innocent’ instead of standing up for what was right. Lastly, in Acts chapter 12, Herod consistently saw himself as the ‘hero’ of the story instead of recognizing the gifts in those around him.

 If you've been living as the victim, martyr, hero or the innocent-Pastor Erwin invites you to step into the story of David the servant. Nothing was beneath him, because he was a servant to everyone. If you want to change the story of your life and reframe your mind to step into your future, this talk is for you!

In this episode, Pastor Erwin delves into the common dissatisfaction with work and its significant impact on our lives. He emphasizes how work often overshadows other important aspects, such as family, hobbies, and personal passions. Drawing from Solomon's reflections in Ecclesiastes, the discussion centers on the futility of labor without meaning, highlighting the emptiness of success when it's pursued solely for material gain.

Pastor Erwin shares personal anecdotes about the stress and insomnia caused by work, and how our lives can feel like a cycle of unfulfilling toil. He stresses the importance of integrating passion and creativity into our work to avoid a life dominated by meaningless labor. True motivation and productivity come from having autonomy, mastery, and purpose in our roles. Pastor Erwin asserts that it is the individual's responsibility to bring meaning to their work, regardless of the job's nature. By approaching even mundane tasks with creativity and passion, we can transform work into a source of joy and fulfillment.

The episode concludes with a call to action: listeners are urged to reevaluate their approach to work and find ways to infuse it with meaning. Whether by changing jobs or altering their perspective, the goal is to ensure that work contributes positively to their life's purpose and overall fulfillment.