For my fellow movie fans, the fifth column is not to be confused with The Fifth Element. 😊 But this week’s reflection does touch on how through ordinary people, in unexpected places, we all carry out His purpose as a community. Sometimes we get to be part of an answer to someone’s prayer without realizing it.
This weekend, I attended Going Beyond Live with Priscilla Shirer alongside a friend and former American Express colleague. We spent the day immersed in Scripture, prayer, and reflection—and I left thinking about where God has placed me and whether I’m ready to respond when He calls.
The last time I attended something similar was a retreat through the Catholic Church. This was my first experience attending a full-day event dedicated to the power of prayer and how we approach Scripture. I walked away with so much to process—and a message that spoke directly to a question I have been carrying:
Am I doing enough with the gifts God has given me to further His mission?
This is the first of three reflections I’ll share from the experience: the “fifth column,” the five Ps of Bible study, and testimonies and prayer.
The Fifth Column: Serving God Where We Are
Drawing from 1 Kings 18, Priscilla introduced the idea of being part of God’s “fifth column”—people positioned within ordinary places to serve His purposes from within.
That image stayed with me.
In the passage, Obadiah oversees King Ahab’s palace, yet he deeply reveres the Lord. When Jezebel threatens God’s prophets, he shelters one hundred of them and provides food and water. His position places him inside a difficult environment, but his faith shapes what he does there.
Through Priscilla’s teaching, I began to think about our own places of influence: our workplaces, industries, communities, families, and friendships.
Could the place where we keep wondering about our purpose also be a place where God is inviting us to serve?
We may never stand on a stage or lead a formal Bible study. Still, we have opportunities to bring light into difficult spaces through our integrity, compassion, courage, and the way we work.
Three questions from the message have stayed with me.
1. What Is in My Parenthesis?
In some Bible translations, the description of Obadiah’s reverence for God appears in parentheses: “Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly.” —1 Kings 18:3, NKJV.
Beyond his title and responsibilities, Scripture tells us something about his heart.
It made me wonder: What would be written in my parenthesis?
Jessica—mother, colleague, friend, founder—(…).
Would it say that I trusted God? That I acted with integrity? That I loved people well? Or would fear of failure, other people’s opinions, or losing control explain more of my decisions than I want to admit?
For me, this is a question about what carries the most weight in my life. Reverence for God means allowing His truth to shape my choices, including the choices that cost me comfort or approval.
I want my parenthesis to reflect a heart that belongs to Him.
2. Have you risen and proven you are ready?
This part of the message met me right where I am.
I have spent years developing skills in corporate work: leadership, strategy, organization, problem-solving, and helping people move toward a shared goal. Sometimes I wonder how those abilities translate into furthering God’s mission.
Is it enough? Am I contributing as much as I could?
This weekend reminded me that those skills have practical value in serving others. They can help a community organize, a person navigate a challenge, or an idea become something that actually meets a need.
Representing God also shows up in how we handle our everyday responsibilities. Do we follow through? Do we do good work? Do we treat people with dignity, especially when we have nothing to gain?
The discipline, dedication, and sacrifices of today can prepare us for responsibilities we cannot yet see.
That is something I want to carry into Lion’s Gem, too. As we Grow, Elevate, and Multiply, I want us to consider how our growth equips us to serve.
I do not believe readiness means earning God’s love or reaching perfection. I see it as practicing faithfulness with what He has already entrusted to us.
3. Am I Willing to Pause When God Calls?
This may be the question that challenged me most.
My days are full: motherhood, work, home, commitments, and plans for the future. I can be so focused on getting through the schedule that I overlook the person in front of me.
If an opportunity to serve interrupts my plans, will I make room for it?
It may look like helping someone in need, volunteering, speaking up when everyone else stays quiet, or having the courage to go against the grain.
It may simply mean listening when someone needs more than a quick response.
Prayer and discernment help me recognize where I am being invited to act. But once I recognize that invitation, am I willing to respond—even when it is inconvenient?
I want to become more attentive to those moments. I want my schedule to leave room for love.
The Ripple Effects We Cannot Yet See
I left the conference with encouragement and a renewed sense of responsibility.
I may not know how every experience, skill, sacrifice, or season will be used. I can still be faithful today. I can do the work in front of me with care, continue growing, and pay attention to the needs around me.
There may be ripple effects I never get to witness for generations to come.
As I reflect on being part of God’s “fifth column,” I am asking myself:
- What is in my parenthesis?
- Am I preparing to serve?
- And when God calls, will I pause long enough to respond?
Those are the questions I am bringing into this week—and inviting our Lion’s Gem community to reflect on with me.
Lord, shape my heart so that my life reflects You. Help me steward my gifts with humility, work with integrity, and notice the people who need care. Give me wisdom to recognize Your invitations and courage to respond. Amen.
This reflection is inspired by my personal takeaways from Priscilla Shirer’s teaching at Going Beyond Live. Check out her website for additional resources and her own personal blog: https://goingbeyond.com
