Where have I heard or read that before? Rick Warren has tried to help peeps with their purpose. I am sure there are other manuals and how to books out there that will try to help you with finding your purpose in this life. I have to say, I have struggled a lot recently with "my" purpose lately. I thought I knew what it was, then I let a little doubt creep in here and lose a little faith there. I started wondering if maybe I was just faking it til I was able to make it. Maybe my ideas were not what I was supposed to be doing. Maybe I was talking too much and not listening very much. I was feeling like I wasn't doing very much to meet others, or help others out. And what I was doing, maybe I wasn't supposed to be doing. Was I doing the wrong thing? Was I dragging others down doing the wrong thing? Was I wasting their time? (which I dislike more than probably anything than maybe lying) Then before I knew it, I wasn't very excited about my purpose as I should have been. Was it not my purpose after all? The struggle was bringing me down and I feared it was affecting others. I shared my fears to some and they tried to encourage me, but I just was too far in a doubt funk.
But God....He has His plans. He has His ideas. Even when you think you are wrong. Even when you think you have messed it up. He steps in and lifts you up and out of your funk. He gives you a hug and reminds you what He has put you here on this earth for. He reminds you of your purpose in His giant puzzle. And He did it again tonight. As I sat reading to my class on our first night of Vacation Bible School I was filled with joy looking back at each child smiling and laughing back at me. My heart tugs for the quiet ones, or the ones really missing their mommies while trying to be big kids. My feet dance with them as they jump and shout. My arms are happy when receiving big hugs from kids that was once in my Sunday class but still have a connection with me. I want them to know love. I want them to know Jesus. I want them to know that God created them and loves them and He is going to handle whatever comes their way. I want them to love to come to church and remember it as a happy place and when they lose their way, because we all know many will, that they will remember that time when they went to VBS or Sunday school class. I want to know that they are loved no matter what they do, or how far they get from Him and His house.
My heart breaks for the children in Syria and other areas around the world that are facing violence. For foster care children that just want a home. For kids in camps. For kids whose parents make horrible choices. For kids who just want to be loved. For kids that you may think have a perfect life just because they go to church, but deep down it is not. And I know that I can't reach every child out there, but I can reach the ones in my corner of the world and love the ones I come in contact with each day. I was reminded again tonight that I am doing my purpose and I have several wonderful people that help me fulfill my purpose. They share in that journey. Just as I get the blessing to serve in other ministries helping others' fulfill their purpose. What a wonderful puzzle the church family is a part of. Pieces moving all of the time to help fill the needs around us. Even if it is just loving a child that you may think is loved to pieces, but deep down is missing that puzzle piece.
Thank you Lord for reminding me of my purpose once again tonight. I needed that....and You knew just what I needed.
