God has a purpose and plan for every person He has created, yes that means you too. When you ask God what your purpose is He doesn’t say, “oops I forgot to plan something for you, I’ll see if I can find something in this bucket of left over bolts.”
You know that bucket, the one you have, the one that contains all the leftover screws and bolts from those assembly projects you have done. God doesn’t reach down in that bucket and pull something out, hand it to you and tell you to see if it fits. "Nope, that screw is too big," you hand it back to Him and He digs in again to try something else. And, no, He never throws up His hands and says, “I just don’t know what to do with you.” I’ve heard parents say that to their children but our Father God is never at a loss.
My Main Character thinks she knows what God’s purpose is for her life, but she has never asked Him, she is pursuing her own goals. All her striving to reach HER goal brings nothing but frustration, tears, anger and ultimately the worst betrayal, the Judas kiss from her father. When everything is stripped away she finally asks God, “What do you want me to do with my life?” And surprise, He has the answer for her. It has been in front of her all along.
Do you know what your God ordained purpose is? If you do, are you pursing it and stripping away those things that are a hindrance to that goal. There is nothing that will give you greater pleasure in life than being in the center, the bull’s eye, of God’s target. Every person in their place participating in God’s plan for their life brings total life to the body of Christ and the world at large. I know that sounds grandiose but think about the individuals called to be researchers, teachers, politicians, writers, mothers, accountants, carpenters, doctors, musicians, etc., each performing their God given purpose brings the world into harmony, like a symphony.
I’m sure you have heard of, or you know people who have worked for 20-30 years at a job they hate when their real love is fixing broken lawn mowers, they just have a knack for figuring out what is wrong. That knack may be God’s purpose for their life. Just think where we would be without someone to fix our lawn mowers. That may seem like a silly example but it is fact. No position is greater than another position. If fixing lawn mowers is the right position for you than you shouldn’t stoop to be the mayor of your town.
At the end of a year and the beginning of a new year most people give at least a brief glimpse back and forward to see where their life has been and where they are going, wouldn’t this be a good time to ask God what His purpose is for your life? Once you know, it is your responsibility to begin working towards that goal. Yes, I said work, it won’t be handed to you just because it is God’s purpose.
Here is a question for you. What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail and money was not an issue?
When I was asked that question five years ago my answer was, to be a writer and a speaker. I was doing neither. Now I have had a short story published and I am working on a novel. This is God’s calling for my life and I love it.
photo image:flickr
22 comments:
I wish I had stopped wasting time and consulted God a long time ago on His plan for my life. I was missing out on all this fun!
Diane, again, you're right on target. This should be required reading for everyone in the world! Like pastor says, God hides things FOR us, not FROM us. He's willing to show us our purpose, are we willing to be shown and to submit to His will? I love you Diane, I thank God for bringing you into my life, you're more than a friend.
I was just on my blog writing about my novel and where to take it next and I a break and found your article. The thing that came to my mind is "somebody's got to do it." On my Sunday Bible study post I talked 1 Corinthians 12about how in the church there are many individuals with different talents and they are all equally important. In a hospital, the doctors and nurses are important but so is the person doing the janitorial work because somebody's got to do it. We should take pride in everything we do, and move on to what fulfills us when it is time.
Lee
http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/
Tamika, Praise God you are on the right path now. Enjoy.
Helen, My dear friend I'm so glad God has brought us so close together over writing. I should have included that part about submitting to God's will in my post because you can know his will but refuse to do it. Good point.
Arlee, your quote "somebody's got to do it" says it well. God uses everything we do to train us for his plan. It is so awesome to serve him. Thanks for stopping by and commenting
I love this post! I want to read it again and again. I need to have a serious heart to heart with my maker. So far I feel led to write for His glory. Thank you for reminding us to ask!
That's awesome, Diane! WOOHOOOO for the success of Nano! I know that must be a great feeling. You deserve it!
T. Anne, so glad that it impacted you. It is so wonderful to know our purpose. Writing is so exciting because we can get the words that God gives us out to people we would never have the opportunity to speak with in person. It also carries a heavy responsibility to fill our works with truth.
Kristen, Thanks, NaNo was a blast. I realize I need deadlines to push myself.
Diane, what a wonderful post! I have been pondering these very things this week. What would God have me do, the same as you, write and speak. Mostly write, but however it is I can share His Word through the words he gives me. That's what I'm all about. It is wonderful to realize this destiny.
For every season, there is a TIME and a PURPOSE under heaven.
I am so sorry about your loss this week. I hope she is doing alright and will trust God to get her through it.
This was a wonderful post. I am a big believer in doing what we love if at all possible. I've been fortunate to do that but not so much now. But I still ask that question--what will you have me do Lord?
You did fantastic on writing so much!! wow!
I've been asked that question, too. My answer: to be a writer whose books will delight readers the world over. Someday, as God trains me and moves me closer to being a quality writer, that dream will happen.
Wow! You wrote over 70,000 words. Incredible. Aren't goals wonderful?
Great post, Diane. Isn't it such a comfort that God has a purpose for all of us? I am so thankful mine is writing. There's nothing like pursuing something creative with great passion. Have a great day!
Such wisdom ...
Part of finding purpose is allowing your definition of success to be redefined. Somehow our culture has equated success with the number of zeros after a dollar sign. I think that distortion then affects our ability to value the discovery of our purpose.
Thanks for the encouragement in this blog, Diane. That is one of your purposes! May the Good Lord in heaven bless your words and may they continue to be a blessing.
Susan
I'm am so glad God doesn't have to dig around in his junk drawer for me. :)
To answer your question, Diane, I'd say writing. Absolutely.
And your NaNo output was incredible! I'm at about the same place, with about the same word count needed, for my normal WIP. And like you, I can't wait to dig in to edits, making it the best I can. Go us!
Write like my hair's on fire, which is what I try to do!
The hard part for me is juggling the different hats of a published writer: blogging, WIP, edits, book signings. All good things. But are they all the best?
Thanks for an insightful post.
Patti Lacy
www.pattilacy.com/blog
This resonates with me because I'm struggling to balance motherhood and writing. I feel that God has called me to do both. But it's tough trying to balance them both!
Yeah, Diane! You are an inspiration as you sprint toward your goal! So true! So many toil away at jobs they hate. What a waste!
It's important to note that pursuing dreams is a critical part of the journey.
Carla, so glad that you know your destiny.
Terri, it is hard when we have a passion but temporary life circumstances cause us to have to scale back on what we desire to do. I always have to remind myself that it is just for a season.
Dena, I believe that your writing will delight readers all over the world. It is probably happening right now through your blogs. :)
Cindy, It makes such a difference in our lives when we know where we are heading, there is less chance of getting off on the wrong road.
Michele, Your insight on the definition of success will be an encouragement to writers who haven't gotten that best seller with the money rolling in. I feel that if only one person reads what I have written and their life is transformed for the Kingdom because of what I wrote that is the ultimate success.
Susan, I have been told by many people that I am an encourager. I receive your prayer for my words to be blessed.
Go Jana with finishing that novel so you can get to the editing part. Have fun with your writing.
Patti, you have a banquet table of writing projects in front of you, which are the ones that are most nourishing?
Jody, You know that writing is like birthing a child but that child can be neglected for a while whereas the children in your home need mom NOW. It is a tough balance, I pray that there will be more time in your day to enjoy both.
Jan, isn't it fun that for writers the journey on the way to pursing our dreams gives us lots of material for our writing.
Diane, this is a wonderful, wonderful post!!
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