For those of you who are just starting this process, I advise you to go back to February 1st and read all the posts up to today.
I decided to hold off into diving into our guiding principles (what we stand for) for another day. Building a life of purpose is a process, it is not an event. In fact anything great in life is a process.
I recall talking with someone I was mentoring a few years ago and we were having a discussion about our life purpose. He was several years younger than me and he asked me at what point in my life I finally figured out my purpose.
I told him I actually figured out my purpose when I was about 40 years old but it didn’t totally come to life until I retired from the business world at the age of 51.
Don’t be alarmed! I’m not saying it is going to take all of you 50 years to find and begin living your purpose.
During the early years of my “retirement” I was finally able to slow down and take a look back at my personal and professional life and grade myself on what I did well and what I didn’t do so well (my strengths and gifts), what I loved to do (my passions) and what I really dreaded to do. I also assessed my priorities (what is important to me) and my guiding principles (what I stood for).
This time of slowing down and reflecting served as a catalyst for what I’m doing with my life today.
One of the most quoted yet misunderstood scripture verses in the Bible comes from the book of Jeremiah the 29th chapter:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)
When this verse is placed in proper context, God is telling His people (the Israelites) that He has great plans for them but it’s going to take about 70 years to get there:
“The truth is that you will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.” (Jeremiah 29:10 NLT).
Anything great in life takes time and sometimes we get in a hurry and good becomes the enemy of great.
In Jeremiah, God tells His people what to do while they are waiting for their future purpose to transpire:
“In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land.” (Jeremiah 29:12-14 NLT)
Are you setting aside time to reflect and connect to your Creator?
Are you setting aside time to look and seek Him in earnest?
Are you being patient?
Tomorrow we dive deeper into taking a look at our guiding principles.
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
