THE UPPER ROOM BLOG

"THE INTENTIONAL INVESTMENT"

by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marica

LIVING A TRANSFORMED LIFE FOR CHRIST

In our walk with Jesus, we are called to bear fruit for God’s kingdom—a process that demands more than passive faith. It requires an intentional investment, a deliberate, ongoing choice to live differently than we did before. This transformative lifestyle is rooted in scripture and exemplified by faithful servants like Brother Lawrence. A transformed lifestyle invites us to abide in Christ, serve others, and embrace our divine calling. Let’s explore how this intentional investment reshapes our lives and bears lasting fruit.

A NEW WAY OF LIVING

The Bible presents a radical vision for life—one that contrasts sharply with the world’s ways. Over a lifetime, through the sanctification process, we learn to walk in this newness. The Apostle Paul articulates this in his epistles: 1 Corinthians 12:31 points to a “more excellent way,” Galatians 5:6 emphasizes faith expressed through love, and Romans 6:4 calls us to “walk in newness of life.” Elsewhere, we’re urged to walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), and in a manner worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:10). Jesus Himself reinforces this in John 14:15, saying, “If you love Me, keep My commands.” Salvation, as one pastor beautifully put it, is like falling in love with the person of Jesus Christ. It’s not merely acknowledging Him but investing ourselves fully in a relationship with Him. Psalm 31:15 reminds us that our lives and times are in God’s hands, and 1 Timothy 4:7 encourages us to “train [ourselves] to be godly.” We emphasize that this is a daily, intentional choice. 

THE AUTHORITY-SUBMISSION DYNAMIC

Bearing fruit begins with an understanding of the authority-submission dynamic. The word “Authority” comes from the latin “auctorem”  which means to create the conditions for growth—much like a gardener prepares fertile soil. Those who submit align with this mission, supporting it to produce fruit. Together, this dynamic fosters community, where we become part of something greater than ourselves. As Ephesians 4:22-24 instructs, we must “put off [our] old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires,” and “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This transformation is the soil where kingdom fruit grows.

WE ABIDE IN THE VINE

Jesus provides the blueprint for this investment in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” Abiding in Christ—staying connected through prayer, scripture, and obedience—is the key to fruitfulness. The “scorecard” of our faith isn’t just personal salvation but the lives we influence for the kingdom. As Hebrews 11:6 states, “Without faith it is impossible to please God,” and Habakkuk 2:4, echoed in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11, declares, “The righteous will live by faith.” This faith-driven investment yields eternal rewards.

BROTHER LAWRENCE: A MODEL OF INTENTIONALITY

Consider Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris. At 18, while walking in the woods, he marveled at trees cycling through seasons. Brother Lawrence reasoned that only a supreme God could orchestrate such a transformation. This revelation deepened his faith, leading him to live intentionally for Christ. In his classic book, The Practice of the Presence of God, he describes living as if Jesus stood beside him, doing every task—washing dishes, sweeping floors—for God’s glory. His simple yet profound commitment has inspired millions, making his book one of the most influential Christian works after the Bible. Brother Lawrence’s story challenges us: Do we only thank God for His interventions, then revert to old habits? Or does His love compel us to live biblically, investing in others to bear fruit? The intentional investment requires us to accept God’s call and act on it consistently.

DISCOVERING YOUR CALLING

Jeremiah 6:16 offers profound guidance: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your soul.” The Hebrew word for “ancient” here means “eternal,” suggesting God has preordained a path for each of us. Our calling—how we influence others—unfolds as we seek God’s direction. Scripture abounds with examples. At 12, Jesus embraced His calling in Luke 2:49, declaring He must be about His Father’s business, then submitted to His parents, growing “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). The apostles, trained by Jesus for three years, received the Spirit at Pentecost and changed the world. Paul, after his Damascus Road conversion, spent three years in Arabia preparing before writing much of the New Testament. These figures show that God grooms us for our purpose, equipping us to invest in others.

HONORING THE SABBATH, SERVING THE COMMUNITY

Isaiah 58 ties this investment to honoring the Sabbath, The passage urges us to “share your food with the hungry,” “provide the poor wanderer with shelter,” and “clothe [the naked]” (Isaiah 58:7). When we do, “your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear” (Isaiah 58:8). Honoring the Sabbath positions us to serve, fostering community where we connect with those who are hurting. In modern times, this means gathering as a church, praying for one another, and meeting needs. It’s about reaching out to the lonely—those who feel excluded, like individuals with neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD or autism. Our role isn’t to force change but to be available, showing Christ’s love through service. As Isaiah 58:10-11 promises, when we “spend [ourselves] in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,” our “light will rise in the darkness,” and God will make us “like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

THE CHOICE BEFORE US

We face a fundamental choice: live by faith in the Creator or follow the world’s futile ways. The intentional investment is about choosing the former—living the life Jesus called us to and designed for us. It’s a commitment to abide in Him, serve others, and bear fruit that endures. As we reflect, let’s ask: How can I invest in God’s kingdom today? How can I serve? What is my calling? Let’s commit to this intentional path. Stand at the crossroads, seek the eternal way, and walk in it. Your soul will find rest, and your life will bear fruit for eternity.

For further reflection, read Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God and meditate on Jeremiah 6:16. How is God calling you to invest intentionally in His kingdom? Have you committed to the life Jesus has called you to?

About the author: Rev. Dr. Nick Marica is the Vice-Chancellor of Amherst Theological Seminary, and he has a D. Min. from Amherst Theological Seminary. He has his MA from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is the author of the book: "The Walk Applied: Living the New Creation Life as a Citizen of God's Kingdom in a Secular World". He has also written "The Fasting and Prayer Handbook". Nick has been married to Kathy since 1985, and they are the proud parents of 3 children.

Contact Nick at nick.marica@srcministry.org

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