Praying the Blessing of Asher, part 4

As each of the tribes was given land to occupy, Asher was given the land with the most plentiful olive groves. It was a very rich area, which produced much for her people. When the olive farmers pressed out the oil, they would walk on them with special shoes strapped to their feet. If they pressed a lot of oil, it would flow over their feet and “bathe them in oil.”

So this verse means to walk in the power of God’s anointing (oil) to bear fruit for His glory! One of the lessons here is to bear fruit in the sphere of influence you have, and not look at where you want to be. What is the fruit that God has provided on your land? This is especially pertinent to me as a SAHM. There are so many things that I want to do professionally, but right now, God has given me my family in which to produce fruit. I have been offered opportunities lately: looking into graduate school, teaching a Broadway Song and Dance class at a local studio, many piano and voice students on my waiting list. But I’ve had to turn them down, and sometimes I get resentful, because I am looking not to my own land, but to other pastures. The grass is always greener, right?

Part of the definition of Asher is to go forward, move on. What are some reasons we don’t move on in the Lord? Beth highlighted two. First, we want answers we won’t get. Hmmm. .. I can’t relate!

Second, and most importantly, fear! Beth talked about a “freak-out” zone, where it has to be the Spirit of God to get you through. A place where you could never succeed in your own strength. She said, “You will never bathe your feet by staying in your comfort zone.” This is so true! The benefits of allowing God to bring you through the freak-out zone are great. You get to know that what frightens you can be survived! I learned about this while teaching Vacation Bible School. I wrote about a little girl who faced her fear, and God brought her through. At the end of the week, I gave her the blanket (piece of material) that our group took with us to sit on, so she could remember how God helped her in her fear. Her mom says she carries it everywhere now. I learned so much about the true nature of God’s grace from Abby.

I haven’t been past the freak-out zone in a long time, and I don’t particularly want to. Still, I know I will see so much more of God when I do. So I’m praying that God will give me vision to bear fruit in my land, and to move on in Him, despite any fear that may rear it’s ugly head.