This past week I saw a post aimed at single ladies on what to look for in a good man. There were many notable things that were listed, but this one stuck:

The man that will kick a loose stone from the hiking trail so that others that walk there after him do not trip over it.

That made me think.

Not only because I know that I’ve found such a man, but also because it shifts the focus away from me to things outside myself and my own comfort zone.

When you find yourself in a valley season it takes particular effort to voluntary and completely put yourself in another person’s shoes.

And this is simply what can be seen.

What is even more challenging, is to cling to your calling when the world and all its posse try to hinder you.

For this is where the invisible war is waged.

Each time you put down your calling and pick up something else, something happens in the spiritual realm and we have no idea how far its consequences reach.

At the same time, each time that we bravely stay on track towards our calling, something happens in the spiritual realm, and we have no idea how far its consequences reach.

LaBryant Friend from the Belong Church speaks these words deep into my heart today:

“What would have happened if Jesus went back to working with wood,

instead of hanging on it?”

Jesus explains it to John and his other disciples in this way:

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name

 [as My representative] He may give to you. This [is what] I command you: that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another.”

John 15:16 AMP

The disciples may have spent their every waking moment with Jesus and yet He did not hand them each a full explanatory map detailing their calling.

They (also) had no clue.

They were simply told that they were to bear fruit.

Jesus ends with love, Paul starts with it:

“God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.”

Galatians 5:22 CEV

I prefer the extended version from The Message translation:

“But what happens when we live God’s way?

He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity.

We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.

We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life,

able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”

I may not know steps two to ten for the storyline that my life is supposed to tell.

But step one is to bear fruit where I am at right now.

And it is written that if I seek the Lord and do what He asks me to do, in whichever way my vision may be limited, He will give me all other things too. Including the ultimate revelation of my calling on earth.

Or peace about his silence on the matter.

Your inspiration for the week: Reason to praise

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