Seeking a Purpose

How often have you heard someone claim they are seeking a purpose? Looking for the meaning of life or their specific place in it? "I just need to find my place." Or hear someone describe another as "needing direction in life?" As Christians, we have a purpose and a clearly delineated direction. For that matter so do non-believers. The question remains, why are so many Christians still looking for that direction and acknowledging the purpose already laid before them?

First, what is the purpose? Love the Lord and love your neighbors. Go into the world making disciples of all men. Sound familiar? At face value it seems pretty simple and direct. Do we make it harder than it appears or are the intricacies of executing properly these commandments at times overwhelming? Here's what I do know: Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life hasn't been a bestseller for a couple of years now because even Christians don't feel confident enough in their purpose. Christians and non-Christians alike are still searching.

How can we as Christians effectively execute making disciples of all men when we so often feel as if we fall so short? That frame of mind is exactly what Satan wants us to express. God used strictly men of strong faith with the most minimal flaws to carry out His plan throughout the scriptures, right? No way!!! Often times he used the most flawed and sinful. Remember Saul who persecuted and murdered so many Christians? He realized that his direction was right before him and God used him to spread the gospel to much of the Mediterranean and renamed him Paul. Heard of him? The guy who penned many of the letters absorbed into the Bible. God uses each of us wherever we are spiritually provided we look to Him for that direction. The hymns, "Wherever You Send Me, I'll Go," and "Here I Am," are examples of just allowing God to do His thing with you. No strings attached.

Do you all remember going to the carnival or the amusement park and wanting to be tall enough to ride the "grown up" rides? For a long time I would pass by and just think that as soon as I hit that mark, I will be ready. Do we sometimes use that justification to not execute God's plan thinking that as soon as I hit the goal, then I'll be spiritual enough and ready and confident to go out into the world making discipes? I know I have felt that way before.

Loving the Lord seems easy, but what does it fully entail? I believe that it is fully trusting God to take control 24/7. It is allowing Him to influence every decision that you make. It is accepting and embracing that He has a purpose for us and be willing to follow the path laid out. It is yearning for more from and with Him: more direction, more time, more reading, more fellowship, more worship. It is accepting who we are.

Loving others sounds easier, but is it? As inherently selfish beings, this commandment might be the hardest to comply with the most consistently. However, when we fully love the Lord, this becomes not a stressful exercise in effort, but a reflex that is born of intuition. Our eyes open to see opportunities that we didn't observe before. Our hearts are warmed and our souls compassionate in ways not experienced previously.

Finally, going into the world. Confidence is key. We often trust God in times of need. We seek divine guidance and revelation and protection in those periods. Isn't it then logical that if He pulls us through then, that he would certainly shroud us with those same things when we seek to fulfill His purpose? Of course! When God is allowed to envelop our entire lives, then we instinctively want to share it. As another of my favorite hymns, "Pass It On," states "It only takes a spark to get a fire going...once you've experienced it, you spread His love to everyone, you want to pass it on." We've all felt that at times, especially coming back from a retreat or church camp. That's the feeling! Embrace it and don't let it go. Often times it isn't even having to verbalize it, but simply letting that fire blaze within you. Do you think Moses would've commented on the burning bush even if it wasn't talking to him? Not sure, but he would've certainly noticed it.

So many people want a purpose. One thing I have read repeatedly in child rearing books and articles is that kids want limits and direction. That gives them a sense of identity and reason. We seek that from our Father as well. He is giving it. No need to keep searching. It is right before us. How then will we respond?

May God allow those who feel unfulfilled, without purpose, or lacking spiritual confidence to look towards Him and embrace His will and commandments.