My pastor Mike Slaughter, whom I have much respect, did his annual “LIFE PURPOSE” message this weekend. He challenges us to look deeper and create a vision and mission for our lives driven by God. After the service last night a recovery friend of mind, Kathleeen, came up to me and asked me to pray with her. She was distraught with physical problems from Crohn’s disease and has been that way for some time. Recently she has spent more time in the hospital than out. She was crying because she felt as though she may never be able to fulfill her “purpose” because she is always sick. I reminded Kathleen about the fact that her current purpose was to get well and fight through this physical problem while trusting and depending upon the Lord and others for help. I told her to stop projecting and stay focused on today. I know all of that sounds rhetorical but I was simply stating the truth to her.
I always get a little nervous when Mike preaches his “Purpose” message because many people begin searching for their “purpose” and often don’t realize that finding a “purpose” is often seasonal and involves a step by step process that involves “keeping the main thing the main thing” a day at a time.
So as I stated earlier, I told Kathleen that her current purpose is to keep the main thing the main thing and that is to get well. I prayed with her and asked for God to give her the willingness to put all of her anxiety, projections and worries, (none of which are physical but only lend to her physical problems) into God’s hands. I asked her to trust that God will eventually allow her to fulfill the purpose he has for her…what she didn’t want to hear was the fact her strength amid all these terrible physical troubles have done nothing but strengthen those around her including me. Living a Godly life during tumultuous times is the ultimate witness and fulfillment of a God purpose.
About 11 years ago I finally wrote my vision and mission statement for my life. It had nothing to do with personal success but it helps me keep the “main thing the main thing.” My vision/mission… “To make a difference in God’s world in all of my roles and responsibilities by living my life in a way that will glorify God and allow his light to shine through me.” What I found was this vision/mission statement was very flexible no matter what season my life was in.
Our purpose is often season-dependent, it is OK to have a “purpose” focused on raising your kids the Godly way during your child raising season…remember you only have one shot at raising your kids if you have kids. It is OK to have a purpose that entails getting sober and getting well. It is OK to have a purpose focused on being the best spouse you can be…this is a season that should never end. It is OK to have a purpose where your work ethic represents God’s light. It is OK to have a purpose where you quietly help others in need…another season that never ends while here on earth. What I have found is my purpose is season dependent and my personal vision/mission statement allows the seasons and purposes to evolve as God plans. Many people get this messed up because they try to change and/or dictate their season and then anxiety sets in and then focus is lost on what the “main thing” is…can you say satan???
David, one of the Bible’s strongest God characters and a man with a purpose, says in Psalms 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
David is saying we will prosper by simply keeping the main thing the main thing…by planting our tree (life) near water (God) and letting the tree yield fruit in “season.” God has a season when he will fully reveal his ultimate purpose for us but it will not and cannot be revealed if we are trying to create and/or change our seasons without God’s direction. I believe he sees how we are handling our current seasons before he throws more responsibility and “purpose” at us.
Create a flexible vision/mission statement focusedon God and keep putting one foot in front of the other by keeping the main thing the main thing and when the season is right God will help you see your ultimate purpose. Remember, Moses was 80 years old and in his twilight “season” when he finally understood his ultimate purpose in life.
Please keep our sister Kathleen in your prayers as she continues to fight the good fight and ask the Lord to lead her to phsycians that may relieve her physical distress.
P.E.A.C.E.
You know Jay, I understand what Kathleen’s dealing with concerning fulfilling your “life Purpose” I have a tendancy to want expected results from my efforts… NOW! I have to be mindful that it is in God’s time that what happens “prospers” I have been told by my doctor that I must ween off coffee. Well being in recovery I am getting used to weening off of “stuff’ that is bad for me. I am now trying to accept Sanka. The upside of Sanka is the ‘Instant’ gratification that I get from not having to wait for the pot to finish brewing. The downside is that it isn’t. REAL coffee. The Real stuff takes Time. Thank you for helping me realize that we need to deal with the main thing in our lives as they present themselves to us, but also deal with them in a God focused manner. That brings Joy to Him and makes him smile.
Reed