Answer to "God's Purpose"

My friend Christa posted this on her weblog:

I'd rather not explain why I'm posting this entry but I NEED feedback from
anyone and everyone. Tell me what you think your purpose is in life, why did
God put you here? What's your calling? Were you meant to be a school
teacher? A minister? A good neighbour? Do you even believe in God? Do you
believe in some other power? Whatever you think or feel, please share....

Christa, I know we have talked about this before and I felt that my answer would be much too long to post in your comments. Here are my thoughts:

I think we all often ask ourselves these questions. I think perhaps we ask the questions of ourselves way too much. I think it's because the questions often lead to thinking of a life that we feel is not fulfilled, a life that is depressing, a life full of "Should-haves".

My should-haves include:
Should have stayed in University
Should have pursued a medical career
Should have continued with my degree in ECE

My should-haves seem to always circle around education and career. I have felt intense guilt, anger, and sadness over my choosing to not better myself in this way. I was always at the top of my class, very smart in school, "going somewhere". When I think of all these things and where I could have been, I feel like such a failure.

But now I am beginning to realize that EVERYONE feels this way. Even the doctors, lawyers, successful business people...they have all at some point asked themselves, "What is my purpose in life?", "Why am I here?"

It doesn't seem worth it to be so caught up in the questions of what we are DOING to serve our purpose in life. No matter what we are doing it will never be enough...never enough money, never enough time, never enough education, never a good enough job, never enough!

I think I'm going to start dwelling on BEING...who does God want me to BE? Yes, I certainly do believe in God and I believe that He has a purpose for my life. He has given me my life, he has made me they way that I am. He has given me a wonderful family, a loving husband, a good job, health, a home. God has truly blessed me beyond measure!

My purpose in life....I am going to be me as I am right now in this moment. On occasion I will wish that I was more. I will think about what could have been. But I can never be more if I don't enjoy what I am and what I have right now. I look forward to being a wonderful wife and mother, a good friend, a kind stranger. I look forward to the little things that make life full of meaning.

I am now challenged once again to live up to my potential. I may not save a life by being a doctor... but I know that I can lend a helping hand to my friends, neighbours, co-workers when they are in need. I may not be a teacher... but I know that I can learn from my mistakes and move on. I may not be a minister... but I can be a testimony that a life without God is not really much of a life at all.

Thanks Christa, for the post that got me to thinking. You have confirmed that the sermon in church on Sunday was for me. We need to stop worrying and thinking so hard. We need to start being what we are intended for... even if we're not exactly sure what that is, I believe that God will lead us into the path that he has prepared for us if only we would listen to his call. I know I don't listen very well, it's very hard to listen to a still small voice when I am being so loud all the time!!

I will leave you with one of my favourite portions of bible verses from Matthew 6:25-34 (KJV), I'm sure you know it well:

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
... Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field...shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself...

For the interpreted (NLT) version click here and DON'T WORRY, it will all work out and you will discover that you already have a great purpose...to be YOU, wherever that may lead!

God be with you on your life's journey!