So much of my life now is marked by characteristics, attributes, or circumstances that I have not experienced before. These facets of my current and continuing life are becoming the markers of my identity. Much like how you would recognize a pine tree by its slender green needles, seed bearing cones, and sap filled wood that fills the air with an aroma that reminds you of walking on that soft crunchy bed of needle-leaves in your bare feet just to feel it under your toes, so too will you recognize who I am by certain characteristics.
Scripture tells us that just as a tree is recognized by its fruit, we also are recognized by our own fruit, the fruit of our labor and efforts. So how am I identified? Let me tell you!
For starters, I’m an engaged man! This is a new chapter of my life that sprang into being just before I left on the Race in September. Since meeting Michelle, my life has been filled with unparalleled joy. She is truly a blessing from the Lord. She encourages my prayer life to grow deeper with greater regularity, and she stands behind my every decision. Besides bringing me the satisfaction of being engaged to the prettiest woman I’ve ever come across, she is a dream come true, and that affects my attitude on a daily basis. I stare at our engagement pictures every day, reminding me of the kind of joy the Lord brings to those who ask for it. This joy is exuded by my smile every day. I look forward to soon experiencing God’s math of 2=1 as defined by the holy institution of marriage.
Next, the Race has been drawing me nearer the Trinity. Before, I was fixed on relating to and seeking counsel from the Father, overlooking the splendor of the grace of Jesus and power of the Holy Spirit, whereas now I seek the love of Christ and the power of the Spirit in sync with guidance from our Father. How clumsy of me to wholeheartedly only seek a fraction of our God! Of course I gave recognition to all parts of the Trinity before, but to recognize the inseparability between the three and pursue a relationship in light of that, instead of pursuing one or two at a time, has somehow created an abrupt shift in my belief paradigm. Here, God’s math is 3=1.
What exactly is the fruit of this? Well, now I’m still a work in progress, but Galatians 5 tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 1 Spirit yields a variety of fruit, telling us here that God’s math is 9=1. Furthermore, take note that the preceding verses (16-21) describe the desires of the Spirit being against the desires of the flesh. If you have the Spirit dwelling within you, you’re in luck, because it will help you battle the desires of the flesh in order to inherit the kingdom of God! And what’s even more awesome is that we who belong to Christ have already crucified the flesh with all its desires. That means Christ has bought our way into the kingdom of God. All you have to do is believe Him and be transformed by His Spirit.
The last aspect of my life I want to mention that’s been completely revolutionized this year is my prayer life and willingness to serve. Never before have I been so diligent about being in the Word. Never before have I sought God through prayer as often as I do now, seeking His wisdom and guidance every day, no matter how good or bad things are. Never before have my eyes been so open to seeing opportunities to serve and my heart so willing to step into those opportunities. This discipleship process of me and my fellow Racers is a major contributor to this, creating accountability, but I must note that my incredible fiancée also plays a role in this!
Lastly, I want to update everyone on some more of God’s math. I have nothing in my hands, nothing in my pockets, no income, and God continually provides funding through you. I have already met my December 1 requirement, and surpassed it! My funding sits at $12,646.90, meaning I only need $2,853.10 by March 1 to be fully funded! God’s math can make a fraction a whole. I like God’s math.
