This morning, I studied a portion from Genesis 41:50-57. It is about Joseph building himself into a fruitful minister of the grain of Egypt during a time of famine, and the start of his family. He names his second son, Ephraim, which in the Hebrew means, "double fruit" or, "the Lord has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." The punch of the lesson was in Joseph's naming of his sons, signifying a desire to forget, yet be reconciled to his past. In many ways, this lesson made me want to work in campus ministry again. It was perhaps the most obviously fruitful season of my life, yet a time of great trial.
Though God is not leading me in my heart of hearts to a ministry among college students in the same capacity again, it made me hunger to taste the fruit of labors that work hard to produce lives that glorify Him. Whether this comes from motherhood, being a development practitioner, or meeting people everyday - i NEED this to be the focus of my life. This is the focus of my life. If I have nothing else to show for my life - it must be that I produced fruit to glorify Him.
I pray God would set me on this track for my life. I know if that is the desire of my heart, He will give it to me - I just have to remember in seasons where it doesn't seem as fruitful, it does not mean that something is not growing. I look forward to returning to the "field." And while I hope this would be South Africa, I know that wherever I next land, I must keep the desire for fruit at the forefront. Do not get lazy, and do not substitute anything else! Oh Lord, lead me to the place that is right, and do not let me forget the purpose of being your disciple - to give great glory to You!
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