The Middle Matters
*Overlooking Waikoloa and Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii
THE SCROLL TROLL
How many times have I found myself scrolling endlessly, consumed by the next post, reel, or video? Then, when I finally peel my eyes away from the screen—or my battery dies—I realize an hour or two has passed.
I started with good intentions: Posting a Zealous devotional, catching up on friends’ posts, or researching places to visit for an upcoming trip. But somehow, I end up watching random videos that keep my eyes glued to the screen.
Sadly enough, I've spent more time scrolling through random feeds than thumbing through my Bible!
I’ve gradually lost focus.
If you're like me, sometimes the noise of the world overwhelms our minds and hearts, and we begin to drift—from responsibilities, family, and even our relationship with God. Instead of opening our Bibles, we open social media, scrolling through other people's stories, opinions, and carefully curated lives.
And before we know it, we’ve become captive to DISTRACTION.
LIVING FAITHFULLY IN THE MIDDLE
In my previous blog, Jesus – The Alpha and the Omega, we reflected on Christ as the Beginning and the End. But what about everything in between?
It's in the middle where faith is tested, where character is formed, and where our relationship with Christ is cultivated.
Jeremiah 29 reminds us that God's people were not waiting for life to begin after Babylon—they were called to live faithfully and purposefully while they were in captivity. They were to seek God, serve others, build families, and trust His promises.
The same is true for us. God has not called us to put our lives on hold while waiting for better circumstances. He has created us to live with purpose right where He has us today.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." — Ephesians 2:10
Whether through our careers, parenting, serving others, encouraging a friend, or sharing the Gospel, God has given each of us opportunities to reflect Him every day.
A TRANSFORMED HEART
However, our good works do not begin with our hands, they begin from a transformed heart through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As we depend on God through prayer, the study of His Word, and obedience to His leading, our hearts are shaped more into the likeness of Christ.
I've heard many times: "You are what you eat."
The same is true spiritually.
What we continually feed our minds and hearts ultimately shapes who we become.
Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." — Luke 12:34
Jesus taught:
"For the tree is known by its fruit... For the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart. The good person brings out of his good treasure good things..." — Matthew 12:33–35
Just as a healthy tree naturally produces good fruit, a heart surrendered to Christ produces good things and overflows to good works. Our words, reactions, priorities, and behavior reveal what we truly treasure.
James reminds us:
"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above..." — James 1:17
Every godly character trait is ultimately God's work in us through the Holy Spirit.
PUTTING FAITH INTO PRACTICE
One of my favorite examples of this transformation is Ezra. Although he was born during Israel’s captivity in Babylon, he did not allow his circumstances to shape his heart. Instead,
“For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” — Ezra 7:10.
Because Ezra first allowed God to shape his heart, God entrusted him with an incredible mission of leading His people back to Jerusalem and helping restore them spiritually. Ezra’s influence wasn't built on knowledge alone—it was built on faithfully living what he believed.
His outward mission flowed from an inward transformation.
The same pattern is true for us.
Practicing our faith isn't reserved for Sunday mornings or ministry opportunities. It happens in the ordinary moments of everyday life. It's choosing integrity when no one is watching, working diligently as though we are serving the Lord, showing patience with our children, extending grace to our spouse, encouraging a hurting friend, serving a neighbor, forgiving someone who has wronged us, welcoming a stranger, giving generously, or sharing the hope we have in Christ.
These moments may seem ordinary, but this is where faith becomes visible.
It is where the Holy Spirit shapes our character.
It is where our hearts begin to reflect Jesus.
It is where our lives become a testimony of His grace.
This is the middle.
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
What are these "good things" that God desires to grow in our hearts?
Paul describes them as the fruit of the Spirit:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." — Galatians 5:22–23
Notice that Paul says fruit, not fruits.
These are not separate qualities for us to pick and choose from, but one fruit produced by the Holy Spirit. Together, they reveal the character of Christ.
I like to think of the fruit of the Spirit as the heart of Jesus becoming visible in us. As we continue to study God’s Word, practice what He teaches, and walk in obedience, as Ezra did, the Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out.
Fruit does not appear overnight, it grows slowly and steadily.
Likewise, our spiritual lives are cultivated over time as we walk with Christ through the middle seasons of life. In every moment, the Holy Spirit shapes how we love our spouse, raise our children, interact with coworkers, respond to adversity, and serve those around us.
Before God calls us to great works, He first calls us to become people whose hearts reflect His own.
Paul gives us this encouragement:
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Like the psalmist wrote:
"I have treasured Your word in my heart,
So that I may not sin against You." — Psalm 119:11
We should do the same, because what we treasure in our hearts ultimately reveals who we are.
GUARD THE TREASURE
Jesus Himself said:
"Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father." — John 14:12
What an incredible calling—to be transformed by Christ and then to become His hands and feet in the world.
Paul instructed Timothy to guard the treasure entrusted to him and not drift from what is good:
"Protect, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." — 2 Timothy 1:14
The same encouragement is for us today.
Guard your heart.
Treasure God's Word.
Do not allow the distractions of this world to pull you away from what matters most.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The world is constantly competing for our attention. Every day we are invited to treasure something—success, approval, entertainment, possessions, or the opinions of others. Yet Jesus reminds us that what we treasure shapes who we become.
If we treasure God's Word, His truth, and His presence, the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts, produces His fruit within us, and our lives overflow into good works that glorify God.
This is the beautiful rhythm of the Christian life:
God transforms our hearts.
Our character begins to reflect Christ.
Our lives become a testimony of His grace.
So, what are you treasuring in your heart?
Whatever it is, it is shaping you.
Like Ezra, set your heart on God's Word. Study it. Live it. Share it.
Guard the good treasure He has entrusted to you, and fill your mind with whatever is true, noble, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.
As you do, may your words, your actions, and your life point others to Jesus.
Because the middle of your story matters. The Alpha and the Omega is faithfully at work in you—transforming your heart, bearing good fruit, and preparing you for all that is yet to come.
ZEALOUS 4 LIFE
