When you walk in the ways of the Lord, you experience fulfillment. You enjoy peace when you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in the paths of the Lord. Intimacy with God is key to enjoying bliss on earth. But, if what you do is decided by the world, you will experience stress; your life will be marked by struggles.

As a check, the moment the level of stress in your life starts rising, know that you’ve left the ways of the Lord. Once you start sensing struggle in your work, even if it’s a secular work, it is a sign that you are walking in the ways of the world. If you are no longer enjoying peace and fulfillment in your life, then it’s time to withdraw from everything and seek God. You should shut down everything, and go back to the Lord in prayer.

As you spend time in God’s presence, the Holy Spirit will realign you back to God. He will enable you to be in sync with God again. Increased intimacy with God helps you to know what God’s mind is on a matter. And as you listen to Him, you’ll be shocked at what He shows you. In your work, He’ll show you what to abandon and what to place your focus on. The Holy Spirit will guide you to what really matters. And as you focus on that particular thing, you will find peace and fulfillment. This applies to every aspect of our lives.

“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
~Luke 10:42

Unlike her elder sister, Martha, Mary chose to spend time listening at the feet of Jesus. Martha was pursuing so many things at the same time, and consequently came under tremendous stress. Mary, on the other hand, was enjoying intimacy with God; and Jesus said she was focused on what truly mattered.

So I encourage you today to turn to God – like Mary – and listen to His voice. He will show you the way. He will show you what matters. As you focus on that which is truly important, you will be pleasing to Him; and that is success.