LONGING FOR GOD’S PURPOSE, DAY TWO

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Thursday, March 27th

During a recent morning retreat, our group reflected on God’s purpose for us by asking ourselves this question: What would I want engraved on my gravestone?

I appreciate this question because it invites me to see my purpose in a different light; to consider less about what I can accomplish and more about the differences I might make. I have written before about my need to feel productive, to call my day worthy by the tasks I have completed. When I am on a “mission” to finish a project, I become less gracious about welcoming interruptions or allowing times for respite. But these interruptions and respites could be the places where life’s deeper meaning and purpose are found.

The question also helps me see my purpose beyond my identity or role, to how my unique self might bring better days or greater good. I am a regular walker, but do I want to be remembered for the miles I have covered–or the friends I have made along the way? I am a contemplative writer, but do I want to be remembered for the number of words I have written–or the one person I have encouraged? I am an organized homemaker, but do I want to be remembered for clean closets–or the memories made with people we have welcomed into our home?

Perhaps God’s purpose for our lives is to be fruitful more than productive. God has created each of us uniquely, with certain capabilities and interests to pursue. We are not meant to exhaust these gifts, but to steward them wisely, to share them in service to God and others, and to find and share our joy in doing so.

May we so live that when we look at our unfinished checklist of goals at the end of the day, we can trust that God has used the spaces of our interruptions and respites for more meaningful, significant purposes. May we so live that we are open to receive each moment of life as a possible movement of God. May we so live that at the end of our earthly days, even if our personal goals have not been achieved, God’s greater purpose for us has been fulfilled.

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches… I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ~ John 15:4-5a, 11

(Photo by Karen)
Bible verse is NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/