00:05Pairing oil with skill. There is a spot where your heart for God and your skill for your work
00:11meet. Living in that spot takes a bit of intention. It's about being a person of depth,
00:18but also a person of discipline. Think of it like this. If you want to be used by God,
00:24you need to have a fire in your spirit, but you also need to have a sharp tool in your
00:29hand.
00:30One without the other just doesn't work as well. First, pursue God privately. Your oil flows from
00:37secret places—prayer, obedience, character, and repentance. And then, pursue growth. Take courses,
00:45practice consistently, seek feedback, improve systems, and study your craft. Most of us live
00:52under the impression that we have to choose a side. We think we have to choose between being
00:57spiritual or being serious. Between trusting God and putting in the effort. We treat these two
01:04things like oil and water, as if the more we focus on our skill, the less we are relying on
01:10God. But
01:11the longer you walk with Him, the more you realize that this was never the assignment. God isn't
01:18looking for a specialist in one or the other. He is looking for a rhythm. He wants a life that
01:24is deep
01:25enough to abide and sharp enough to excel. Abide in me, and I in you. John 15 verse 4.
01:33There's a particular word we need to understand properly—abide. To abide is not to visit or to
01:40randomly check in when you are in need. It is staying and building your home in His presence.
01:45So, be intentional about staying in His presence. In there, you'll receive direction, guidance,
01:53strategies, and so much more. The point of all this isn't to get a round of applause.
01:59The goal is stewardship. It's about taking the life and the gifts God gave you and saying,
02:05I didn't waste this. God loves a heart that is surrendered to Him, and He honors a person who
02:11is faithful with what they've been given. When you pair a prepared life with a prepared heart,
02:17your influence starts to grow naturally. Prayer.
02:21Lord, let my work carry both Your presence and my best effort. Remove the extremes in me
02:28and let me live a balanced life according to Your will.
