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Finding Purpose and Meaning
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Article by Tom Gilbert
— © January, 2009
Much of life is spent on seeking
purpose and meaning. For me, the process seems to have
intensified with age.
We all want to find meaning and purpose.
But when we begin to realize that the very living of our
lives is part of that purpose we start to recognize some
other valuable things. For one, I've discovered that I
can create plans, visualize the future, prepare in depth
- but I'm not in control. So I have to look at what I'm
doing. It is the self examined life that yields benefit.
However, not just self examination so that I know myself
better. It is important to know who I am, what I believe
and where I've been. But I can't predict the future and
I need to learn that everything...everything... is ultimately
a gift.
What I've discovered is that finding purpose and meaning
in life is just the beginning. The journey continues and
living by letting go to the guiding light of God is the
right way to approach each day and moment.
So often the way to better understand something requires
that I first figure out what it is not. My purpose in
life is not whatever my "job" or work occupation
might be. Work is important and necessary. Work is good.
The fruits of our labor add to our appreciation of life
and are the byproducts of living our purpose. It is often
frustrating to be in a job or work situation solely because
it is the means to pay the bills and provide basic necessities.
But my identity and self worth should not be measured
just by what job I hold.
Hard Lessons
This has been a hard lesson. For years
I've been wrapped up in whatever my job was. I have a
born desire to do things that are interesting, fun and
part of my natural abilities. However, another aspect
of the purpose of life — a very essential aspect
— is to keep growing. To grow I must be stretched.
I must leave the comfort of what I know and can do and
strive to do something new, different and ideally better.
That's often frightening. Fear can keep me from leaving
that comfort zone, but fear also holds me back from growth.
To discover the gifts God has given
us we must keep exploring, learning and trying new things.
Sometimes this is hard because we don't know where it
is leading. I sometimes wonder if it is wasted effort.
None of it is truly wasted, but I usually want to take
the shortcuts. And I worry I’ll miss out on opportunities
because I was “climbing a ladder on the wrong wall”.
Of course, God takes all our effort, all our searching,
even our misdirection, and brings good from it.
Learning from past mistakes is using the brains God gave
us. Discerning the difference between not going down a
path that has proven futile and persevering on a path
because it has not yet yielded results can be tricky.
Sitting quietly in prayer helps. Also being honest with
ourselves. If I start to move in a direction only because
it is comforting and pleasing and holds the illusion of
security then I must pause and reconsider.
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Commitment
There comes a time for all of us when
we have a pretty good grasp of our purpose and we see
how things have connected to provide meaning for us. Then
comes an important next step — commitment. I decide
"this I will do". I pledge to continue. I won't
stop because it gets too hard. My only reason to not continue
in the direction that has been revealed as the next right
course is if God reveals a different way. An example that
comes to mind is St. Paul and his missionary efforts.
In the Acts of the Apostles (Acts
16:6-8) he wants to carry the Gospel message
to a part of Asia. Scripture says the Holy Spirit prevented
him from going that way. So he had to change course. His
intentions were good; his motives were good. But it was
not where God wanted him to go.
At times I feel like I don't know which direction to head.
For the reasons already stated I can get confused or misdirected.
I need the "compass" of the Spirit to point
me in the right direction.
I also need the strength and courage to go where God is
leading when I don't want to go. Fear holds me back. Fear
may be expressed in doubt, anger, frustration, worry,
resentment or despair. When these things assault me I
need to pray that God will lift me up. Remember, with
God all things are possible.
Discipline
From commitment must come discipline.
An athlete must train, and continue to train, to do those
things that will strengthen and improve performance. Most
athletes have a training program and they usually have
a coach or trainer. In my endeavors I must have discipline.
I don't need to live in expectations of my results for
the events I am "training for". But I do need
to stick with my training, or when I slack off to have
the dedication and willingness to resume. I should rely
on the expertise of others and to let my “coaches”
direct me.
One of my greatest desires is to do meaningful and useful
work for God's purpose. I believe God's purpose is for
all of us - all His children - to grow in love and service
to each other. This brings glory to God and to creation.
When I am in sync with God's purpose for me my work should
flow. It may still be difficult, but if it is the work
I am called to do it should come to me relatively easy
because it will use the talents I have been gifted with.
Finding purpose and meaning, committing to it with discipline
and effort and going with the flow will result in our
usefulness. Go for it – it is part of God's Divine
Plan.
Read more articles here
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| Tom Gilbert is
a writer and spiritual seeker who edits and maintains
the Living the Solution web site. You may reprint this
article as long as you give credit and a link back to
www.livingthesolution.com |
Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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38,102 Miles, 38 years,
1 Mission - The Cross
by Arthur Blessitt
Now
On Sale
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ACTS
16:6-8
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"Paul and his companions
traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia,
having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the
word in the province of Asia. When they came to the
border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the
Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed
by Mysia and went down to Troas."
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(NIV)
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