Quiet Fulfillment
Deep Roots, Real Fruit
“What Could Be” acrylic by Myra Alibrando
Different Callings
A calling from God can be great exploits reaching thousands or millions or God can give a calling to focus on loving and serving only a few people, or even one person for many years. If it is God calling, such a calling is certainly no less great. This is true.
Is one greater than the other? Why? Who is obeying God is the bigger question. That is the true measure. Ask God or read the Word.
I do not wish to discourage those who aspire to doing big things for God. We are all mortal and limited. That Day of the Lord will measure whether we have lived up to whatever God alone has made real in our hearts. With that said, here is a key verse:
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Quiet is not loud. Quiet is not making a big fuss. Quiet is not complaining. Is it possible to reach hundreds and personally not have the fruit of the Spirit? I think it definitely is. How important to God is us bearing the fruit of the Spirit?
You are the real deal if your life has genuine love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as described in Galatians 5:22-23
Fruit reveals the type of tree.
It is also interesting to me that the Bible teaches that the secret things done for God are rewarded openly.
so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:4
I don’t know. Does it seem like public service applauded by many or does the above verse show private service?
If you are a pastor, your private service may be forbidding your eyes from secret lust or giving away what is given to you to a poor person in need.
If you are a politician, your private service may be rejecting a sum of money you dearly need from someone wanting your pledge to help them in the future.
If you are a salesman, maybe you refuse to lie when lying could close the sale.
Fortunate or Pitied?
Whether a child or a spouse, is the family faith a blessing or a curse? There are different circumstances and callings, but God always knows those who are obeying Him and who are not.
“. . . God knows those who are His . . .” 2 Timothy 2:19
No Calling from God Ever Lacks Love
What does the Bible teach? What did Jesus teach? What is the flag of all Christians? Is it evangelism? Is it church attendance? Is it tithing? Is it owning a Bible? Is it no cursing or smoking? Is it proper doctrine? No.
But the number one commandment is, was, and always will be: love and how we love one another.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34
Jesus says this is precisely how people will know who are followers of Christ - if we love one another. That is plain and straightforward.
I once was convicted by someone saying we can measure our love for Christ by the measuring who we love the very least in this world.
Is Wonderful Fruit Possible?
Hey, having the fruit of the Spirit also triggers the fruit of the spirit. Fruit reveals the tree but also feeds it.
If you have a family member who is contagious with their love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control . . . you are so blessed.
But even better, how about if you walked around with this wonderful fruit? That is God’s desire for you and me. Then we can also become that blessing to the rest of our family.
“If you want to change the world, go home and love your family” is a quote attributed to Mother Teresa.
Massive Industry in a Quiet Forest
Many times I have taken prayer times in the forests of California impressed with the quietness in nature, but not asleep. The trees making food using sun and water. Unseen roots busily pulling up nutrients and moisture through veins to branches and leaves. The leaves lowering the temperature with the evaporation of their moisture literally altering the environment. Trees and plants communicating and sharing resources. Most often, mother trees share with needy daughter trees growing nearby. Without a sound, so much industry going on day after day for years as I ponder God’s design of community: powerful, functional, cooperative, and quiet. This is true in every forest in the world. Quiet and wonderfully functional with constant interactive contributions.
God is Saving You
God sees billions of people every day not look up to Him for our chance to be more alive. He sees our bondage and is working to save us. Capable of transforming our lives into an ever-upward spiral of exhilarating gratitude, contentment, joy, and faith.
Famous or Unknown: Obedient?
All of the obedient can be heroes in quiet faithfulness.
None of us are completely immune to discontent or envy. Don’t envy the famous or the especially gifted. Applause is for a moment. The afterglow of helping others is long-lasting satisfaction. You have your call. Someone needs you. You are the answer to someone’s prayer. You are the faithful, quiet tree deepening its roots growing ever stronger.
Even today, we can live bored or zealously curious about what can do in us.
If this is real, come now Lord Jesus.