I woke up this morning thinking, as I often do. I was in a state of decision making...the WHAT for the day. I asked God yesterday, while y'all were on holiday grilling and enjoying the weather, what I needed to write about. I'm specific when I ask. I said God, do you want me writing about tech, or them today. He said, "Them". I'm not sure about most writer's processes, but I know how mine works. It just comes. Yesterday, it didn't. I suppose it was nudge to relax and enjoy the day, but y'all would have to understand how much I enjoy writing to understand why it would take a nudge. So, this morning when I was thinking about all of you, the word purpose popped into my mind. It was immediate, and distinct. I start by defining things. My definition of purpose is as follows: Purpose - the point at which your passion for the work of your hands begins to point others toward Jesus. It's when work is not only fulfilling, but meaningful and withstands time.
Now when I was working through that definition, the Holy Spirit which serves as my guide inspired me to read Ecclesiastes Chapter 2. It takes research to come to know the writer of Ecclesiastes as King Solomon, Son of David, that wealthy king that prayed for wisdom. The Teacher. It is significant that we recognize that he was speaking from a place of experience, not of lack, that he had great wealth and was NOT of little understanding when he reasoned:
10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.
I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,
For my heart rejoiced in all my labor;
And this was my reward from all my labor.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
At this point in the scripture, King Solomon had determined that work, toil, and pleasure was all meaningless. Oh, he was being cynical. We would have called King Solomon the "Negative Nancy" of the office, but Solomon was just calling it as he saw it. He was shooting straight, and he was reflecting on how time may have been better spent. He was focused on what he had done that mattered. Don't lose hope right here, and don't use this as an opportunity for excused pessimism. He kept looking around, and he had this to say:
1 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
2 A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
8 A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Remember that these are Life Lessons from a Wealthy Old Wise King. King Solomon was showing us perspective. He knew the value of being authentic about what you see, but knowing that our God works in terms of faith. Here's where I want to encourage you with the word that speaks, For we walk by faith; not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 I'm bringing you the highlights, because I know there are things that you have to get done. This post is designed to remind you that you have purpose. Ecclesiastes in it's entirety is an excellent read! If you're a follower of Jesus Christ, you know about the great commission of taking the gospel of Jesus to all nations. Matthew 28:18-20 If you're not yet a follower of Jesus, I pray that the Holy Spirit will minister to you now, drawing you to the safety of salvation through Jesus. You have purpose. The fear, the bouts with depression, the burnout, the sleepless nights, melancholy, hopelessness. None of that is your portion. You were designed to live with purpose. You were equipped to not only thrive in your position, but to bless others. You have plenty, because you are intended to distribute plenty. Listen to the words of a Wealthy Old Wise King:
11 What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? 10 I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. 12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:9-13
Moral of the story:
- Enjoy your life
- Do good things
- Tell people about Jesus
- Life isn't perfect for anyone, but it's good with God
- Stress and Lack of Fulfillment have no place in your life
- You have purpose
- Find your purpose and help others
- You may not know what's next, but God does
- Timing and Purpose are coupled.
- Breathe. God is blessing you right now.
*Scriptural references are from the New King James version of the Holy Bible
Comments