Day 3: Benefits of Living for a Purpose

“Cause I don't want to live like I don't care. I don't want to say another empty prayer Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else to do what God has called me to do myself. I could choose not to move but I refuse.” – Josh Wilson: I refuse

That should be my theme song. I do not want to go another day of my life living for anything other than God’s purpose! Rick Warren talks about some benefits of living a purpose driven life:

 A significant life:

One of the first questions asked when meeting someone new is: “What do you do?”  “Where do you work?”  or “What do you want to do?”

If I was to answer honestly, I would say: “I am a SCM Specialist (what does that even mean?? haha) I do special projects for the Supply Chain department.” (AKA- I do all the various tasks my boss doesn’t want to do) “I am not sure where this will take me in life, but I sure know it’s not what I intend to do forever… In fact I have no clue what I would like to do. Not knowing what I want to do often makes me feel like a failure. I am going through the motions but for what? I must be good at something; I mean why would God make me if not? But I do not even know what I enjoy!?”

*Isaiah 49: 4- “My work has been for nothing. I have spent my strength for nothing. Yet for sure what should come to me is with the Lord, and my reward is with my God.”

It may seem like what I am doing is meaningless, but God knows the reward! It is not for nothing J

Why do we place our identity in our jobs? What you do should not define who you are. If I placed my identity in my current job, Wow… I would be pretty boring. I am confident that God did not place me on this earth solely to sit in a cubical and build spend reports & compile deal sheets. This role is temporary; God placed me on the 14^th floor of an office building down town for a reason. I am still unsure what His plan was exactly but I guarantee He has building character, perseverance, discipline, and patience in me. Don’t get me wrong, I am not miserable, in fact I am very blessed to have my job & I thank God each day for providing it. However; I know Christ has been using this period of my life as a stepping stone. God has something big planned for my life and He is whispering: “Laura, this is not what I have called you for, but this is your time to grow in me. You were made for so much more but I am preparing you for what is ahead. Trust me and remain faithful that I know what is best and my timing is best.”

An undemanding Life:

People, who live life without a purpose, will look almost anywhere and everywhere for answers. They will base choices on situations, feelings, and external advice. When we live without a purpose, we often try to do more than we can handle. (I am the perfect example of this statement!) This past year I over committed myself; I was involved in pretty much every activity I could find. But I was busy without a purpose! This type of lifestyle may fool everyone around you to think you are important or have such an exciting life, but really it only causes stress and conflict! When you live a life full of purpose, you will have a simpler and saner schedule!

I found this quote on the Spiritual Kindling website: “When we let go of things, we release their hold on us and free ourselves to enjoy the everyday miracles that grace our lives.”

A focused life:

Matthew 6:33- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

You will never be content without a focus on Christ. We often believe that running from our problems will make those problems go away. We will seek new activities, relationships, jobs, churches, exedra… But we will never ever find true satisfaction until we place our focus on Christ! Stop looking, Christ is already knocking!

I cannot do it all, you cannot do it all. Many of us need to DO LESS and prune away some “pointless business.” I need to focus on what truly matters.

“Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing.” – Lau Tzu

A motivated life:

Motivated From the Heart

We can do all the right things and be eloquent in what we say. But if we don’t have love in our heart, what we do and say is in vain.

We can give everything to those in need, even sacrifice all our time. But if we don’t have God’s love inside, it’s as if our faith is blind.
The only motivation we should have is God’s compassionate heart. To really have God’s mercy and grace for the many lost in the dark.
Touch us again with your love and a desire for the lost. To show them there is a better way to lead them to Jesus cross.
So they too may be deeply touched with your saving grace, O Lord, and know the missing link is you: The key that unlocks the door.
For you have reconciled us Lord, back to our Father above to have a meaningful relationship and receive His eternal love.
So may our walk be blameless Lord, reflecting who you are. Let nothing we do be in vain but be motivated from the heart.

~ M.S.Lowndes

What a sweet and truthful poem. Our motive for all that we do should come from the Lord. Think about all the daily tasks you do. There is usually some sort of motive behind everything. I constantly have to check my motives: “Why am I going out of my way to help is this person? Is it because he is attractive and I secretly hope this could lead to something? Is it because she is well liked and I want others to like me? Am I helping my mom with something so she will buy me a new outfit?” Don’t tell me you have never had a hidden agenda! Yes, it is ok if you do something nice for someone and they then do something for you in return, but I should be willing to give my time towards blessing others expecting nothing in return! I don’t deserve anything from anyone, non of us do. If we change our mindset and quit all these hidden agendas or expectations, we will never be let down. However; I believe God wants us to ask and ask expectantly, but this is a different type of expectation. We deserve nothing from Christ, but we should be faithful that he will always provide for us and that his plan is better than our own!

2 Peter 1: 3-4 Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. (the message)

A life preparing for eternity:

Many of us spend our lives looking for ways to leave a legacy here on earth. Why are we concerned what others have to say about our lives? When we die and go before the Lord He will not ask us: “So Laura, what records did you set? What trophies did you win?” No God will evaluate my heart and what I did to please him.

“Given enough time, all your trophies will be trashed.” – A Purpose Driven Life

What I accomplish on the earth will be forgotten. I need to stop worrying about myself and what others think of me and start telling people what Jesus thinks of them!

Today’s Challenge:

Evaluate your life. Are there some things you need to eliminate? Be honest with God, tell him exactly what you are feeling. Ask Him to show you how to live a life full of purpose!

-Today I am asking Christ of contentment. I need to be thankful for what I have and quit seeking things of this world. I am praying daily that the Lord will be my rock proving to me, he is all I need. Right now the Lord is using this time to prepare me for what is to come. I may not have it all figured out, but I am trusting he will open the right doors at the right time. “Lord I am patiently waiting. Today I choose to be Joyful!”