"He is like a tree planted by the streams of water, which yields fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:3
I want to talk about something that Banning Liebscher spoke on at this conference that really brought conviction and verification of where I am right now.
Out of John 15, Banning began by reminding us of how Jesus is the vine and we are the branches and how Jesus wants us to bear fruit that lasts. He wants us to finish the race strong, to be faithful, and obedient. Things I figured I was already aware of but it's good to be reminded lest we forget. But then came the point Banning was trying to make.
There is a process to bearing fruit.
So many times when a reformation and revelation of Christ happens in our lives there's this new fire and desire to jump right into what God has called us to do. This kind of zeal is great and necessary for our walks with God, but often times it can lead to an early downfall. Hear me out. If we jump right into the ministry that we are called to without the proper and firm foundation in Christ that needs to be developed and grown, we will burn out and fall out. And who knows how many other lives and relationships with Christ we will damage in the proccess? Our longevity is tied to our root system. If our roots are shallow and underdeveloped, we will not last through the storms of this life nor will our fruit prosper.
How are we developed?
In the secret place. In our time spent reading, praying, and worshipping God. We are developed by those that we are in fellowship with. Those around us that pour into our lives. This is such an important part of our walks that we often times neglect. We like to think that it's just "me and Jesus" and that is lie right from the enemy that I bought into for so many years of my life. In John 17:20-23, Jesus prayed that we would be one. Not that we would be isolated and independent of one another. There is strength and courage and grace in community. We are called to be unified in Christ. This call surpasses all denominations, political agendas, and purposeful misinterpretations of the word of God to fit our comfortable and powerless lives.
Banning then gracefully reminded us of the life of King David. He was anointed as King when he was but a boy and then sent back out into the fields to tend to his sheep. He wasn't just thrown right into dominion over his kingdom. God had to develop him first. Ester wasn't born a queen but became one and saved her people. Amos started off as a shepard. Joseph was sold by his brothers and spent years in a prison for a crime he didn't commit. Jesus didn't start his ministry right away. Luke tells us in the end of chapter two that Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and in the favor of God and men for thirty years before He began. If Jesus had to grow in wisdom, how much more do we have to grow in wisdom?
This is by no means is me telling you that you have to be fully developed by God for Him to use you. If that were the case we'd never accomplish anything for His glory. God still uses us in our mess and disobedience. In our spiritual infancy and our spiritual old age.
Since my new spiritual rebirthing I've been searching for my calling. Searching for what God wants me to do with my life. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing and God had revealed bits of how He wants to use the things in my life for His glory, this shouldn't be our main focus. He should be our main focus. In Him all things are found. In His will is our freedom. When we're so wrapped up in God and He begins to work on our hearts, everything changes. You don't see the world the same way you used to. You look at people differently. You speak differently. You love differently. Our gifts and callings will naturally find their way to the surface when we are in full pursuit of His face and the revelation of who He is. He will plant the desire for teachers to teach, for preachers to preach, for evangelists to spread the truth, for pastors to tend to their sheep, for missionaries to have compassion, for intercessors to pray, for worshippers to worship. Embrace the desires that God has put in your heart. Embrace your talents and gifts and use them to bring glory to our Father.
