My friends and I talk constantly throughout the workday, whether it’s just random convos, sharing good news, or simply venting. But usually at some point during our vent sessions, we question our purpose. We aren’t satisfied where we are in life, even though we’re considered successful by the world’s standards. We have material things our careers afford us, but not the satisfaction of living a fulfilled life. We sit behind computers all day advancing someone else’s dreams, yet ours lay dormant – leaving us frustrated. So in the words of Rick Warren, we want to know, “What on earth am I here for?”
I sometimes feel unfulfilled because I’m following the world’s formula for success:
Make Money + Gain Material Things + Be All About Self Gain = SUCCESS
I’ve graduated from college, had good jobs and promotions, built a 401k, bought a house and cars, etc. I’ve checked those things off of the “You’re Successful” list yet there is still a void. Essentially I’m chasing things that don’t matter. Living on the hamster wheel of life….going absolutely nowhere except for Frustration Circle. I want off that wheel so I can ride on Purpose Lane.
But what is Purpose Lane? Purpose Lane is a road where my mind changes to focus on God rather than looking to the world for answers (Romans 12:2). While on this road I get to become more like Christ, allowing His promises to come alive in my life, and bring Him glory. It’s no longer about chasing my agenda and what I think life should look like, but allowing God to use me however He sees fit.
This all sounds great, but just know traveling this road will require you to stretch yourself even when you don’t want to be stretched. You’ll be required to do things you said you would never do and/or thought you couldn’t do. I can speak from experience that the stretching process isn’t fun, but in the end its soooo worth it. By being obedient to God, there is a sense of accomplishment that will keep you moving forward on your journey. It also allows those voids to be filled in your life. So going forward when situations arise, I look at them as learning opportunities so I can walk in my purpose.
At the end of the day our purpose is to be like Christ. Changing our focus, stepping out in faith, and trusting Him even when we don’t understand. I’m confident that Christ is the one who gave us our purpose and it will be completed, just like Philippians 1:6 says:
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
So which road will you take today…Frustration Circle or Purpose Lane?
Heroic Inspirations 