Are you led by the Spirit? How would you know? One approach is a logical deduction from scripture. If you know you are a son of God, you can make this claim by inference. That is not the same as knowing it by first-hand experience. How do you know this as a practical matter? Do you have thoughts that come to you during the day, popping into your mind from out of the blue? All these common figures of speech suggest that not all of your thoughts originate with you. I can speak in limitless ways, but this is a primary one you should be attentive to. If these are good ideas and you act in response to them, you will be able to see in hindsight you are led by the Spirit. 

When you meet an acquaintance and ask how they are doing, do you find that the most common reply is that they have been busy? Do you know anyone who would not claim this as the status of their life? Have you ever made the same statement to others? Does it appear to be an excuse between friends for not maintaining the friendship, or in a more general sense for not doing the important things that matter in life? My word contains an account of Mary and Martha. What do you learn from this? I know you have duties to fulfill. Can you relate to others without saying that you are busy? 

My word refers to vessels, such as vessels of honor or dishonor. This term has fallen out of common use, but you think of it as a container and this is a good analogy. It could also be regarded as a conduit or hose, such as a garden hose. Have you ever used a garden hose to water plants? Do you see yourself in the same way? I spoke of living water flowing out of you. Do you understand yourself as a vessel not as a static, autonomous container of living water but as a channel of flow? It is good to understand this as symbolic of Christian doctrine. It is even better to walk in a conscious awareness that living water flows from you wherever you go. 

What word do you normally associate with midlife? Isn’t ‘crisis’ the term that usually follows, and this is the only thing commonly associated with this stage of life? This is a negative view of a growth opportunity. Most of the parameters and conditions of your life were given to you up to this point, and early stage life is characterized by conformity to expectations. If these are not expressions of your own unique identity they will fail. You can view this as a crisis, or you can see it as an opportunity to become who you really are, and live a life consistent with your own true destiny. Walk through this with me and it will be a life-giving transition.