Chosen to Bear Fruit

On a construction site in Brazil’s famed Amazon jungle, I was helping my teammates slide in windows, move fifty-pound placas (concrete slabs) and hundreds of roof tiles, and fill little cracks in the walls with caulk. And I was painting until my arms were numb.

Non-handy me had no business being at any construction site. And squeamish city-girl me had no reason to be out there in the wild. But as I slept in my hammock on a boat, and as I did my small part to bring this church to life, I knew I was right in the center of God’s Will for my life at that moment.

How did I get here? I didn’t grow up around missionaries or hearing missionary stories. God chose me to be one of seven women on our church’s ten-member team for this extreme short-term mission trip. It didn’t matter that I was one of the youngest on the team or that the only building skill I had was assembling furniture.

God has a sense of humor.

I’m so glad I said yes to this adventure with God!

After having traveled for work or vacation over the years, I felt the Lord calling me to give back by going on short-term mission trips. And that’s how I ended up in the Amazon jungle as well as the Andes Mountains in Ecuador and in the schools and streets of Ethiopia, Honduras, and Peru.

We may feel hidden, anonymous, or invisible. We may feel ignored or rejected or misunderstood by our family, peers, or society. Can I fill you in on some great news? The third truth in the Six C's of Transformation is that God has chosen us to Bear Fruit for Him.

Almighty God sees and loves us, and guess what? God chose you and me!

God chooses us with all our flaws, faults, and fears. We are beloved, blessed, and beautiful in God’s Sight. Jesus chose us long before we even noticed Him.

God chose us to be His Loving Hands, Feet, Mouth, and more in this world. God has ordained us to fulfill certain Kingdom Assignments.

We’re not called to “make things happen” or “figure things out.” We’re called to trust God and to follow our Good Shepherd. We’re called to abide in the Vine to bear Good Fruit.

Planning is good and necessary, but let’s rely on the Holy Spirit to help us live our Divine Purpose.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for choosing me to Bear Fruit for Your Kingdom.

Reflection Questions

• Are things becoming clearer as you see how Almighty God created you, Called you, and chose you to be His Beloved, Blessed, and Beautiful Daughter?
• What is one step you can take this week to get closer to living your God-given Dreams?