“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
In the intricate tapestry of Ghanaian wisdom, there lies a profound truth captured in the phrase “Fa Akoma Pa Nante” – Walking with a good heart. This ancient wisdom resonates deeply with the transformative theme that echoes through our spiritual corridors today: “Unleashed to Live a Life Worthy of Your Calling.”
Picture, if you will, a river flowing through diverse landscapes. Sometimes it rushes with purpose; other times, it meanders gently, but always it moves forward, carrying life-giving water to everything it touches. This is the essence of walking with a good heart – a continuous flow of divine purpose that transforms both the journey and the traveler.
The Symphony of Heart and Purpose
The intersection of “Fa Akoma Pa Nante” with our calling creates a sacred space where purpose meets authenticity. Like a master weaver working with golden threads, God intertwines our heart’s condition with our divine assignment. One cannot exist fully without the other. A calling without a good heart (passion) becomes mere performance; a good heart without purpose (direction) remains untapped potential.
During my years at Pentecost University, I witnessed this truth unfold like a beautiful morning glory greeting the dawn. Each day brought new revelations of how walking with a good heart shapes our spiritual DNA. It’s not just about being nice – it’s about allowing God’s transformative power to work from within, creating ripples that touch countless lives.
Biblical Portraits of Heart and Calling
Consider the story of Queen Esther, whose journey exemplifies this divine interplay of heart and calling. She didn’t just happen to be in the right place at the right time. Her position aligned with her purpose precisely because she maintained a heart of integrity, courage, and submission to God’s will. “For such a time as this” wasn’t just about her royal position—it was about her heart’s position before God. Through fasting, prayer, and courageous action, she demonstrated how a heart aligned with God’s purpose can change the destiny of nations.
Think of Joseph, whose journey from the pit to the palace was paved with countless opportunities to bitter his heart. Yet at each turn – whether in Potiphar’s house, the prison, or the palace – he chose to maintain integrity. His good heart didn’t just survive adversity; it thrived in it. When he finally stood before his brothers, he declared, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” This wasn’t just diplomatic speech; it was the overflow of a heart that had learned to see God’s purpose even in pain.
Modern-Day Testimonies
In our contemporary world, walking with a good heart manifests in various ways. During my time at Pentecost University, I witnessed a fellow student who consistently chose to help struggling classmates with their studies, even when preparing for his own exams. His actions weren’t driven by academic requirement but by a heart that understood that true success isn’t just about personal achievement.
The Cost and Crown of Walking with a Good Heart
This year’s theme, “Unleashed to Live a Life Worthy of Your Calling,” invites us into a deeper understanding of this truth. Being unleashed isn’t about breaking free from all constraints – it’s about breaking free from the right ones: the chains of fear, doubt, and self-imposed limitations that keep our hearts from fully embracing God’s purpose.
Walking with a good heart means maintaining spiritual equilibrium in a world that constantly tries to throw us off balance. It’s about:
∆ The whispered “no” to compromise when everyone else is saying “yes.”
∆ The quiet act of kindness when no one is watching.
∆ The steadfast stand for truth when silence would be easier.
∆ The gentle word of encouragement that costs us nothing but means everything to someone else.
The Heart’s Journey Through Seasons
As an alumni of Pentecost University, I’ve learned that our calling often reveals itself in the moments when our heart’s condition is tested. Every choice to maintain integrity, every decision to extend grace, every act of selfless love – these are not separate from our calling but are the very building blocks of it.
Like David, who learned leadership while tending sheep, our calling often develops in hidden seasons. These are the times when walking with a good heart seems most challenging yet most crucial. Whether in moments of victory like David before Goliath, or in seasons of wilderness like David fleeing from Saul, the condition of our heart determines the impact of our calling.
The Ripple Effect of a Good Heart
The beauty of “Fa Akoma Pa Nante” lies in its simplicity yet profound impact. When we walk with a good heart, we naturally align ourselves with God’s purposes. It becomes less about striving and more about flowing in harmony with divine intention. Like a well-tuned instrument responding to the Master’s touch, our lives begin to produce the melody they were created for.
Consider the ripple effect of one person walking with a good heart. In my community, I witnessed how one woman’s consistent choice to forgive and serve others transformed an entire neighborhood. Her home became a haven of peace, her words became seeds of hope, and her life became a testament to the power of maintaining a good heart in a world that often rewards hardness.
The Present Call
As we embrace this journey of walking with a good heart, we discover that being unleashed to live a life worthy of our calling is not a destination but a daily dance with divine purpose. Each step, guided by integrity and love, moves us closer to the fullness of who we are meant to be.
Let us remember that our calling is not just about what we do – it’s about who we become in the process. When we walk with a good heart, our very presence becomes a testimony of God’s transformative power. Our lives become living letters, read by all, telling the story of God’s faithfulness and grace.
Conclusion
The path forward is clear: let us embrace the wisdom of “Fa Akoma Pa Nante” as we step into the fullness of our calling. For in this sacred dance of heart and purpose, we find ourselves truly unleashed to live lives that echo with eternal significance.
Written by Derrick Decency Antwi (Alumni, Pentecost University)
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