Called to Priesthood

There was a time in my life when I felt like I was just going through the motions. I prayed, read my Bible occasionally, and went to church, but deep down, I knew something was missing. I wasn’t thriving—I was just barely surviving.  

Then one day, I came across John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

That verse hit me hard. I realized I had been trying to do life in my own strength, wondering why I felt so dry and distant from God. I wasn’t truly abiding in Him—I was treating Him like an emergency contact instead of my source of life.

I believe my story is one we all can relate to.

I think about a friend of mine who went through something similar. Life felt like a constant battle—stress at work, strained relationships, and prayers that seemed to bounce back unanswered. She told me how one evening, feeling completely overwhelmed, she opened her Bible and found Romans 8:17

‘’Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.’’

That was her wake-up call. She started making small but intentional changes—setting aside time to truly sit with God, not just to ask for things but to listen. It wasn’t an instant transformation, but over time, she felt different. More peace, less fear. More trust, less striving.  

This verse also reminded her that she is an heir of God and co-heir with Jesus Christ. Despite the struggles and challenges, she knows that she is growing in God—and she knows the promises of the glory ahead.

Which then reminded me of a tree I see in my backyard. Despite the strong winds we have sometimes, this tree stands tall and unmovable — bearing leaves in its season. Then I realised thriving is not necessarily about comfort, it is not being without struggles, but someone deeply rooted in God, unshaken by the storms of life.

How Do We Truly Thrive?

Thriving in the Lord isn’t about having a perfect life. It’s about being so deeply connected to Him that no matter what comes our way, we stand firm. Here’s what I’ve learned about how to thrive:  

1. Stay Connected to Jesus (John15:5) – He is our source. Prayer, worship, and studying his Word makes us alive spiritually.

2. Trust the Process (Jeremiah 17:7-8) – Thriving doesn’t mean we won’t face hard times. It means we stand firm, knowing He’s working things out for our good.  

3. Live Out the Word (James 1:22) – It’s not just about knowing God’s word, it’s really about our lives reflecting his love. God’s message through Christ is all about Love.

4. Find Strength in Christian Community (Hebrews 10:24-26) – We’re not meant to do life alone. God places people around us to encourage and sharpen us.  

5. Walk in Your Purpose (Ephesians 2:10) – We all have a specific God given purpose. The more we walk in that purpose, the more we experience the fullness of life through him.

Take a Moment to reflect

Are you thriving in God, or just barely surviving? What’s one step you can take today to draw closer to Him? How can you encourage someone to thrive in the Lord?

A Simple Prayer

Dear Lord, I don’t want to just go through the motions. I want to thrive in You. Teach me to abide in You daily. Help me to trust You even when things don’t make sense. Let my life bear fruit that glorifies You. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

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I hope this resonates with you. Have you ever gone through a season where you felt like you were just surviving? What helped you draw closer to God? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.