There is no longer a time to eat indiscriminately or do things for our personal use only. It is time to move to the place of purpose and find the will of God for each of us and to operate in that sphere…I have had the simple and humble opportunity to have my own thoughts challenged over and over in the last few weeks.

As this year has started I have found myself unbound by the pressure and frustrations of the month. In Kenya, January for most is the month we love to hate. It is fraught with the pressure of the just ended holidays, celebrations and travel to see family closely followed by the start of the new academic year. This is as intense as intense could be.

In the midst of all this I found myself surprisingly unmoved and unpressured. I only find that the desire and cry of my heart had become to find greater inner peace and rest. True rest that could only be found in the arms of Papa. Peace that would remain even in the midst of the upheaval of life.

During the Christmas holidays We had a long discussion around a very simple story that we all know. Judges 4:4-5 tells us about Deborah the prophetess. “Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.”

The things that stood out from that conversation are as follows:
1. She is introduced – Deborah, prophetess, wife of Lappidoth
2. Her role described – judging Israel
3. The time of her role indicated – judging…at that time
4. Location specified – she used to sit under the palm of
Deborah between Ramah & Bethel in the hill country of Ephrahim
5. Her audience defined – the people of Israel came to her

The rest of Judges 4 & 5, tells us of the exploits of Deborah and how she heard from God and acted and provided clear guidance to the people. Everything that had to be said and done was said and done because she was willing and able to hear, utter and follow through. Wow…..In Judges 5 we see the celebration of the works of God through His servant. Judges 5:31tells us that, “…And the land had rest for forty years.” The outcome of her obedience displayed.

Judges 4, also showcases another woman who was in position and ready to do her job. This is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. She:
1. She is introduced – Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite
2. Her role described – to help free Israel
3. The time of her role indicated – to serve…at that time
4. Location specified – in her tent
5. Her audience defined – Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army,

Looking at these two women I see several key lessons:
1. Know who you are – not who you think you are but who God
created you to be
2. Know your purpose – what God designed you to do for Him?
3. Know your time – what is your appointed season?
4. Know your determined location – what is your appointed place
of operation & impact
5. Know who you are sent to – whose voice are you? Whose
defence are you? What do you represent?

The thing that struck me was that neither woman actively sought recognition, yet God ensured it happened. Each simply took her position and served to the very best of her abilities and nothing could keep her hidden from the limelight.

This reminded me that my role is to be seek God for clarity on my calling and station and then do what I am called to do and be who am destined to be. The rest is up to God. My purpose will call for different skills, friends, connections, possessions etc than the same for someone else. I must therefore learn to pursue my life and not that of another.

Where is your palm tree?
Are you living your life to the fullness of your palm tree or not?