let Jesus take the wheel...

Finding Purpose and Meaning

Article by Tom Gilbert — © January, 2009 Much of life is spent on seeking purpose and meaning. For me, the process seems to have intensified with age. We all want to find meaning and purpose. But when we begin to realize that the very living of our lives is part of that purpose we start to recognize some other valuable things. For one, I've discovered that I can create plans, visualize the future, prepare in depth - but I'm not in control. So I have to look at what I'm doing. It is the self examined life that yields benefit. However, not just self examination so that I know myself better. It is important to know who I am, what I believe and where I've been. But I can't predict the future and I need to learn that everything...everything... is ultimately a gift. What I've discovered is that finding purpose and meaning in life is just the beginning. The journey continues and living by letting go to the guiding light of God is the right way to approach each day and moment. So often the way to better understand something requires that I first figure out what it is not. My purpose in life is not whatever my "job" or work occupation might be. Work is important and necessary. Work is good. The fruits of our labor add to our appreciation of life and are the byproducts of living our purpose. It is often frustrating to be in a job or work situation solely because it is the means to pay the bills and provide basic necessities. But my identity and self worth should not be measured just by what job I hold. Hard Lessons This has been a hard lesson. For years I've been wrapped up in whatever my job was. I have a born desire to do things that are interesting, fun and part of my natural abilities. However, another aspect of the purpose of life — a very essential aspect — is to keep growing. To grow I must be stretched. I must leave the comfort of what I know and can do and strive to do something new, different and ideally better. That's often frightening. Fear can keep me from leaving that comfort zone, but fear also holds me back from growth. To discover the gifts God has given us we must keep exploring, learning and trying new things. Sometimes this is hard because we don't know where it is leading. I sometimes wonder if it is wasted effort. None of it is truly wasted, but I usually want to take the shortcuts. And I worry I’ll miss out on opportunities because I was “climbing a ladder on the wrong wall”. Of course, God takes all our effort, all our searching, even our misdirection, and brings good from it. Learning from past mistakes is using the brains God gave us. Discerning the difference between not going down a path that has proven futile and persevering on a path because it has not yet yielded results can be tricky. Sitting quietly in prayer helps. Also being honest with ourselves. If I start to move in a direction only because it is comforting and pleasing and holds the illusion of security then I must pause and reconsider.

Commitment There comes a time for all of us when we have a pretty good grasp of our purpose and we see how things have connected to provide meaning for us. Then comes an important next step — commitment. I decide "this I will do". I pledge to continue. I won't stop because it gets too hard. My only reason to not continue in the direction that has been revealed as the next right course is if God reveals a different way. An example that comes to mind is St. Paul and his missionary efforts. In the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 16:6-8) he wants to carry the Gospel message to a part of Asia. Scripture says the Holy Spirit prevented him from going that way. So he had to change course. His intentions were good; his motives were good. But it was not where God wanted him to go. At times I feel like I don't know which direction to head. For the reasons already stated I can get confused or misdirected. I need the "compass" of the Spirit to point me in the right direction. I also need the strength and courage to go where God is leading when I don't want to go. Fear holds me back. Fear may be expressed in doubt, anger, frustration, worry, resentment or despair. When these things assault me I need to pray that God will lift me up. Remember, with God all things are possible. Discipline From commitment must come discipline. An athlete must train, and continue to train, to do those things that will strengthen and improve performance. Most athletes have a training program and they usually have a coach or trainer. In my endeavors I must have discipline. I don't need to live in expectations of my results for the events I am "training for". But I do need to stick with my training, or when I slack off to have the dedication and willingness to resume. I should rely on the expertise of others and to let my “coaches” direct me. One of my greatest desires is to do meaningful and useful work for God's purpose. I believe God's purpose is for all of us - all His children - to grow in love and service to each other. This brings glory to God and to creation. When I am in sync with God's purpose for me my work should flow. It may still be difficult, but if it is the work I am called to do it should come to me relatively easy because it will use the talents I have been gifted with. Finding purpose and meaning, committing to it with discipline and effort and going with the flow will result in our usefulness. Go for it – it is part of God's Divine Plan.