Know as You Go
Hope in God’s Purpose
One summer, my sister and I were challenged to memorize chapters my mother had chosen from the Bible. Jana learned John 14, “Let not your heart be troubled….” I worked on Lamentations 3:21-29 with diligence, and for the most part, I still remember it today. I often wondered what the purpose was in learning a poem of lament.
Treading softly across the topic of purpose, I admit my perspective is limited. It’s easier to note my past detours, mistakes, losses, lessons, and victories than explain my purpose. However, I recognize my verses from Lamentations have proven to be like background music for much of my life. Countless times those words have comforted and refocused me. God’s love was steadfast with endless mercies each day.
At age 46, I’d like to say I know my purpose with 100% certainty. But, like others I’m sure, the topic of my life purpose is a heavy reminder that we’ve not always made the wisest decisions. Or, perhaps, we wasted precious time. I changed my college major 5 times. My theme song then was “Try Everything.” I was even oblivious to making the Dean’s List—whatever that meant--until a friend congratulated me on my first semester! Turns out, that was a big deal. I felt like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde when she announced going to law school, “What?! Like it’s hard?”
I’m reminded of Moses when God asked what was in his hand (Exodus 4:2). What’s in my hands? Better yet, what talents and experiences do I possess for accomplishing God’s plans? Through what hurdles and dark valleys have I walked or even crawled? Where has God shown me His faithfulness? From what have I been healed and redeemed? All the answers to these questions point to my purpose. Why not take a step in this direction?
I love the words of Jeremiah 1:5, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” We can rest because we are loved eternally by the One who formed us! I am fully and completely known by God. As I rest and meditate on God’s nature of love, faithfulness and redemption, I find my purpose. Sometimes it’s for that moment, that day or even just that week. The more I wait and respond in obedience, the more closely I move in His purposes.
It’s time to be more like Mary at the feet of Jesus. Being busy can wait. I flourish when I experience regular fellowship with Jesus. He fills me with hope. I don’t have to know the plan in order to obey. I can simply stop, find a comfy chair, and relinquish control. This, for now, is my purpose. I will know as I go
Reflection
What talents and strengths do you have? How are these being used by God? Or how might they point toward your purpose?
How are you relating to being more like Mary at the feet of Jesus? How are you like Martha?
What areas or plans of your own might be distracting you from stepping closer to God’s purpose at this season of life?
Goals
Identify possible talents, strengths or lessons that you can sharpen to use for His purpose and/or make a plan for walking it out.
“Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.’” (Lamentations 3:21-25, NLT)
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be honored by every nation, I will be honored throughout the world.”
(Psalm 46:10, NLT)
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to all the nations”
(Jeremiah 1:5, NLT)