A friend asked me recently, “How do you find your purpose?” This is such a loaded question, one with many answers. I recently heard John Bevere’s message, “Driven By Eternity”. Although I have already been on a journey in the last year to find my purpose, this message has caused me to dig deeper into what my eternal purpose is.
If God has one purpose for my life, what is it? If you are like me, you have many interests, many things that you desire to do. But you ask, besides being a mother, what is my ultimate purpose? In the last year I have discovered 3 things that have catapulted my search for my purpose …
1) Ask God to show you the connecting thread between all you love to do. While there are different seasons in our life, there is a common thread in everything we have been led to do. When you find that thread you will see that you are not aimlessly “doing” in life; there is a purpose to the insanity!
2) Journal. I have been challenged to journal anything I feel God is showing me, or even the things I don’t see. What is amazing is that as I journal it starts something like this … “I don’t know what my purpose is …” and then as I write it begins flowing and pouring out of me. Most all great men and women keep a journal and there is a key to writing things down. Whether it be your short term and long term goals, or your thoughts, insights, or even your fears to conquer, write them all down.
3) Being a mom is the first mission field. Even if they are grown, they are still your mission. Loving to teach them is a legacy they will always have, and a purpose not to be belittled! Lisa Bevere said in her book, Fight Like A Girl, that our children are arrows that we launch into the future, and they will not miss their target.
Psalm 127:4 “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth”
(I have simultaneously been reading John Bevere’s book Driven By Eternity, and Lisa Bevere’s book Fight Like a Girl. Both are about God’s ultimate purpose for our lives. Fight Like A Girl is more about our purpose as women. Excellent, Excellent must reads! They will change your life! If you like fiction, I read John’s fiction novel, Rescued, in 3 days. The links above are their audio messages of the same title. Free to listen, free to download, or check out their books here.)
I completely agree with journaling. I’ve been journaling since I was 13, sometimes it’s half a page and sometimes (like last night) it’s about 5 pages. I write down 5 things I like about that day at the end of my entry. I think journaling/writing can be very healing, bring direction and when I look back on my life, it will give me something interesting to read and remind me of the adventures I had. 🙂
As a mom, I do question what my purpose is in life. Now, after reading you article. Being a mother is my first mission and purpose in life. I am driven each day to demonstrate Christ to my kids. I am passionate about living a full life of meaning to my children, because I did not receive or see that when I was growing up. So, as parents we do try our best to give and shown our children love of Christ. However, I also noticed that another passion of mine is teaching. My heart grieves when I hear teachers not giving the most to our children education. As, I think about it, I have a passion for hurting people. And, where there is a need I am felt lead to fill it. I am an encourager. So, I am finding the common thread to all. And, I have been journaling my thoughts. So, I am just praying to fullfill every purpose in season that the Lord Jesus Christ wants me accomplish. Thanks again.