Last week was rough. The school shooting in Uvalde, Texas was devastating. The story is still unfolding but the loss is overwhelming. As a nation, we are floundering. There is a lack of purpose. We are rudderless. I wrote about it on Instagram and I’ve included it below. If you are not following me over there, please do! I’m on there every day adding posts and stories. Here’s the link: @greatbigyes
We are in a spiritual battle. I’m concerned about how we are raising up the next generation. How can they build their lives on a solid foundation if they have no examples of healthy adults? How can they learn to discuss and discover and discern if they only hear the grown ups yelling and screaming at each other?
We have to build our lives and our nation on a strong foundation. We have to look at the roots and pull out the poisonous ones. Each person has to do their own part. Real transformation starts in the heart of the individual. More than ever, I’m excited to lean into my own spiritual journey and help others to do the same. At at time like this, when things are so overwhelming, out there in the world, we can go to God in the quiet and ask for direction. We can ask, “God, what would you have me do?” and let Him lead you. This all falls into our greater conversation we started last week about Purpose, Calling, Dreams and Goals.
Okay, so we are talking about Purpose, Calling, Dreams and Goals. Sometimes they are lumped together or used interchangeably. But they are not the same. I want to offer some clarity that I think will help you move forward if you feel stuck.
I think of PURPOSE as the umbrella. It’s the BIG VISION.
I love this photo! I picture each of us with an umbrella over our heads. We are walking around with our umbrella of PURPOSE over us.
Purpose comes from God. He designed us with a purpose so we consult Him to uncover it. And when we know it and claim it, it becomes the banner over our life. It says, “I am worthy, beloved and purposed. I am called and equipped. I will stand with strength and intention and I will be protected.”
There is JOY in knowing your purpose. There is CLARITY and PEACE when you know who you are and what you are living for.
There are so many places in Scripture where we are led to purpose.
Matthew 22:34-40
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Exodus 9:16
“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth”.
I encourage you to look up verses on purpose, there are a lot.
I also encourage you to look at your life and write out a timeline. What have you been through? Where had God invited you to be healed and to grow? What are some themes of your life? What keeps coming up for you? What experiences have led you to change? Where are the forks in the road? I don’t want you to get into the details and minutia here. We will do that when we start talking about Calling. For now, we are taking the bird’s eye view. The question is more, “Why am I here?” “What do I want to bring to the world?” The “what” in this case is not specific but more general. For instance, I want to bring hope to the world vs. I want to bring a podcast about hope to the world. (We will save that for the calling/dreams/goals discussion.)
It’s not my job to tell you what your purpose is. No one can do that for you. It takes thought, prayer, and introspection. It’s worth it! It sets the stage for everything else.
Keep Saying YES!
P.S. I’m excited to share this article with you! It was so much fun to be featured in this online magazine! We don’t talk about purpose and calling directly but it’s all in there!
http://voyageaustin.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-sue-bidstrup-of-bee-cave-lakeway-area/