Fruitful Focus

“On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” ‭‭Ezra‬ ‭7:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/ezr.7.9-10.nkjv
Finding focus in the midst of strongly diverse interests in life is always a challenge. While the scriptures didn’t provide the reason why it took Ezra five months to travel from Babylon to Jerusalem, it does underscore the reason why any difficulty in arriving in Israel was not the focus of Ezra. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel”. Unfortunately, many often lose focus on the purpose for life’s existence on the platform of finding the path of least resistance. While career choices, classic residences, proud ministerial pursuits, and attractive interest in relationships are tempted to be driven by variables of convenience and comfort, those who must achieve God’s purpose in life cannot do less than Ezra - to prepare their hearts, no matter the difficulties and challenges, to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in their respective field of assignment. It does implies that apparent fruitfulness in someone else’s field of assignment is synonymous to fruitless expenditures in the sight of God.

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