Purpose is a beautiful thing. It drives us and give us a feeling of contentment during tiring times. We know that whatever is making us tired is worth it.
Purpose Equals Happiness, Right?
I have been chasing my purpose for almost eight years now. When I say chasing, I mean desperately trying to figure out what would make me “happy.” The funny thing is that in the times of stressing and planning I was anything but.
The chase of my purpose has led me to some amazing adventures. However, non gave me the happiness I was looking for. I have leaned that it is because I was looking for something more, my identity.
I was trying to substitute being happy with finding something that would make me happy. This would always lead to very short lived feelings of happiness. It made happiness an external feeling when I actually needed it internally.
Jesus is Your Purpose
Since entering into my relationship with Jesus Christ my ability to tap into this internal happiness, or joy, has become easier and more common. However, sometimes I can still feel lost from it. The enemy makes it difficult. My human emotions always get in the way and cloud the happiness inside of me.
How do I stay above the clouds of negativity in order to feel the happiness? My consistent application isn’t great yet, but the goal is putting my relationship with Jesus first. That takes a different shape for every person. I found that my first stepping stone was to work with my self image.
I’ve experienced so many blessings in my life. However, when those moments are over, anxious thoughts take over my mind. Making up worries about interactions with others or potential horrible outcomes of the future are the usual culprits. However, non of my thoughts had ever actually occurred and I need to remind myself of that. They are all lies.
The Truth of the Matter
What is true is that there are two things I know are true. First being that Jesus is our savior. The second are that the moments we are supposed to focus on are the right now. What are you doing right now to further the message or mission of Jesus in your personal life, family, and community? There is no point in worrying even thirty seconds from now. Whatever you are worried about will most likely not come true. Instead what will come true is you losing right now. That moment could have been used for something so much better.
We know that God give us strengths. Everyone has something different:
"There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink. So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts." -1 Corinthians 12: 12-27
Naturally, what you do in life is likely to fit that skill. If not, that’s okay. Our personal success or accomplishments mean nothing if they are not according to his will.
“He has saved us with a holy calling... not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” 2 Timothy1:9
Jesus told us that the greatest commandment of all is to love.
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:28-34
Where to Go From Here
It does not matter what you do for a career in life. What matters is that no matter what you do, you do it with love. Every single moment is an opportunity to bring yourself or someone else closer to God. Live every now with love right now. That is your purpose.
Father God,
We come to you for direction, guidance, and humility. Break down our walls so that we see your purpose instead of our own. There are so many wants in life these days and we pray for clarity to look beyond those things. Guide us in every moment to exemplify and glorify you, especially during difficult times.
In your love we pray.
Amen
