I read the following quote the other day, and it hit me right between the eyes.
“Success is waking up in the morning, whoever you are, wherever you are, however old or young, and bounding out of bed because there’s something out there that you love to do, that you believe in, that you’re good at— something that’s bigger than you are, and you can hardly wait to get at it again today. It’s something you’d rather be doing than anything else. You wouldn’t give it up for more money because it means more to you than money. And, hopefully, it’s something that makes the world a better place for someone else as well as for you.”–Whit Hobbs
I’m grateful that I am allowed the privilege to do what I do. In my stubborn, selfish, foolish ways, it took more than forty years to get here. I trust that you will not allow that much grass to grown under your feet before you discover yours. I’m also grateful that the Divine will grant you a passion for what you are to do! Why then, are so many folks struggling to find purpose, meaning, and passion in their lives? We seem to be a people in search for every possible path to happiness, other than asking the Creator and Sustainer of all life what He thinks.
JESUS SAID: “If you wish to be complete, go and sell our possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matthew 19: 21
We Americans should be the happiest people in the history of the universe. We have never had more comforts than we do now in America. So why is the suicide rate skyrocketing? Suicide is now the 2nd leading cause of death among young adults ages 15 to 24. Sales of antidepressants have gone through the roof. Why? Because people have everything except something worth living for. People without purpose will lack passion because passion and purpose go together. The purpose that the Divine has for our lives actually creates our passions. The only folks that I know, who are genuinely happy are those who are giving their lives to make something significant happen.
That would suggest that we need to spend some time on determining our purpose, give clear direction to our passions, and seek clarity for the course correction to stay on point, day, by day, by day! Listen, friend, the Divine has such wondrous purpose for your life that He gave His only Son that you could connect to that purpose!
But watch this: To play it safe. To not take a risk. To keep your boat in the safety of the docks and never venture into the deeper waters – this is the fastest way for you to grow old without having ever trusted the Divine’s plan for you to make a difference in this lifetime!
Our purpose isn’t nearly elusive as you might think. The Divine has a plan for you. Plans for you to prosper and succeed wildly. BUT! His definition of success might need to be addressed. You see, there is a big-time catch to the happiness, joy, and fulfillment found only in His purpose for our lives.
The catch? We must each align our purpose with His purpose for our lives. You say, “that’s easy Chuck.” Then why do we spend so much money and time trying to get to that purpose?
I really think that we all need to experience three things before we can act in confidence toward the Divine’s purpose for our lives. And they are:
- We must seek His will and His plan for our life. This is more than a once upon a time action. It is more than an act of desperation. This is a journey that ends only after we have placed our feet on streets of gold. All of life, this side of Heaven, is change. We are on an expedition to chase after the Divine and His will for our lives. If you stop searching, stop changing, stop seeking, you die. Like many of you, I am truly not afraid to die. I am however terrified that I will come to the end of my life having never fully lived.
- We must trust the Divine even when we cannot control His plans, or understand His direction. There is a reason He is God, and we are not. There is a reason why He allows us to choose love over hate, peace over chaos and Heaven over Hell. That reason? Because He is always good, and we are always loved. That’s the greatest news in the whole wide world.
- We must fail a few times (or many times as was the case for me). Failure allows our broken hearts, calloused minds, wounded egos, and feeble souls to find a better tomorrow, a hope for Heaven, and a peace that passes all understanding. Failure calls us to seek a higher way, learn a better lesson, humble ourselves before the Divine, and trust in His providence…when we see no other way!
Most of us are just one more failure away from discovering our God-ordained purpose for this life. We are one more broken heart away from love. One more stumble before the summit. Every single life experience will either serve as the crutch you lean against as you offer another excuse, or as a step ladder that will allow you to climb over the obstacle before you.
Climb my friend. Seek the Divine’s purpose for your life! Discover the joy in living in His perfect will. Look back at every failure and recognize His faithful, never-ending love for you as you celebrate in victory. That is His specialty. Loving you through every failure, every heartache, and every victory. Don’t Miss It – It’s Your Life!
–AChuck
