Thursday, May 22

For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me...
—Colossians 1:29

How do we know if we’re following the right path in life? For starters, we need to remember that there is no one “right” path, that our spiritual growth depends less on whether we become a doctor or a school administrator, and more on how we make such choices.  God has myriad ways of perfecting us.

That said, there are signs that can tell us about the wisdom of our direction. One clue comes from answering a simple question: Does what I do leave me feeling depleted, or does it energize and strengthen me? Even our “right livelihood” can wear us out, but it doesn’t wear us down. The difference? When we are truly working from our gifts, we are engaged in the same sort of process that an expectant mother goes through. Like hers, our labor produces something living, a being with heart and soul.

Granted, this task of giving birth to our selves isn’t easy, but it is work that fulfills rather than exhausting us. This life that is taking shape within us is literally “inspired” by God; it is he who gives it breath.

O God, grant that your image might come to fruition in me, and lead me always in the path that brings true joy and life.

The Signposts for May are written by Susan Hanson and originally appeared on explorefaith.org in September 2004.