Cultivating a Life of Fruitfulness
In a world where endless opportunities and distractions vie for our attention, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. We’re often left wondering how to discern what’s truly best for us, amidst the sea of good things that clamor for our attention.
The Quest for Spiritual Clarity
The apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 1:9-11 offer us a profound insight into the secret of living a life that’s truly fruitful and pleasing to God. He writes, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
Unpacking the Formula for Fruitfulness
So, how can we apply this wisdom to our daily lives? The acronym B.E.S.T. provides a helpful framework for discerning what’s truly best.
- B – Be intentional about growing in your love for God. As you cultivate a deeper love for Him, your actions will naturally follow suit.
- E – Enlarge your knowledge of God and His love for you. The more you learn about His character, the more your thoughts and attitudes will be transformed.
- S – Seek His Spirit to give you a depth of insight that surpasses your own understanding. This will guide you in sharing His love with others.
- T – Thank God at every turn in your day. A heart of gratitude will keep you tuned to His grace and love, overflowing your life with fruitfulness.
A Prayer for Discernment
Father God, I long to discern what’s truly best among the many good things that compete for my attention. Thank you for this instruction that Your love is the foundation of all I am and all I do. Please help me to focus on Your love for me and to grow in my knowledge of who You are. By Your Spirit, change the way I think and act as I experience Your love in a greater way. Give me divine insight in sharing Your love, and make my life fruitful in a way that reaches far beyond the busyness of daily life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
A Challenge to Reflect
Take some time to ask yourself: Am I forfeiting the best by getting caught up in the good? Talk it over with the Lord, and seek His guidance in discerning what’s truly best for your life.
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