New Year’s Day this year was a typical Cincinnati winter day. Gray skies graced the horizon and cold winds swirled around causing all to zip up their coats in defense. Inside the day carried an air of familiarity as it began with church because it was Sunday. The similarities separated there when part of my family and I walked into my older son’s church in a wave of support since he was preaching this particular day. Our home churches would have to wait for the next weekend and instead we opened ourselves to receiving what God had prepared for the New Year.
Starting off the new year with hope and belief that the possibilities outweigh whatever you ended 2016 with, gives you a sense of renewal. The slate is fresh and the days stretch out before you with endless dreams. You don’t need to have everything figured out on Day 1 but have 365 days to explore and get to know your why. Many times we are in a place of knowing our what but have not figured out the why that steers our passion.
This year is my year of purpose. An intentional seeking of my identity in Christ and what He is calling me to do. I can list out the what in my life without too much problem. I am a mom, a writer, speaker and a teacher. These identify pieces of me that then carry me through each day. But if I am honest they don’t speak of those deep recesses that God calls to surface in my life. I am missing what connects me to God and makes me whole. My why is not always clear in my what.
[Tweet “If you know your why,your what has more impact because you are walking in&toward your purpose.”]
My son challenged us in several ways on New Year’s Day. He taught about the importance of knowing your why so you end 2017 better than 2016. He illustrated the difference between our what and why through a youtube clip of comedian, Michael Jr. I will include it at the end. You will be glad you watched it. Lastly, my son left us with words to clarify our own purpose. He quoted Michael Jr. and shared…
What I am learning already in the first three weeks of 2017 is helping me to clarify the why that changes my what to a path of purpose and passion.
My what tells me I am a …
Mom, but what does that look like when your children are grown? How do you minister to them and grow in motherhood when dependence is now independence? I am still discovering my why in this new season.
Writer. I hang out here with all of you several times a week. I am recognizing how writing is a passion and a ministry. But I ask myself how does God see me in this why?
Speaker. I have a deep desire to empower other women in their own faith walks. I hope to affirm each woman in knowing their why. I pray that God continues to open the doors and show me the way.
Teacher, but how do I hold onto an identity when I am retired from that profession? Can my gift of teaching look different in this season of my life? God has the answers and my heart is open to receiving them.
I love the challenge that is shared in the video below to know your why. When my son issued a similar challenge, I knew my year of purpose moved to a new level.
Our what loses intensity when we do not connect it with the passion of our why. Seeking God to show us who we are and how He will lead us quenches our hunger and thirst.
Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:1-2
Embracing my identity in my what while striving for my why!
Linking today with:
and Dawn for Grace Moments
Good stuff to sit with and ponder, Mary! I think our whys are not to be rushed. The story of our life unfolds day by day and as we seek Him He will reveal our purpose. Blessings on your Saturday, my friend.
I agree that this is not a process to be rushed. I also think our why changes in different seasons of life. I hope you were blessed by these words and they keep you thinking long after you have left. Love seeing you here!
For some time I did ask the Lord about the what and the whys in my life. The answer wasn’t really what I was expecting. After all, I wanted to be busy about the business of the kingdom. Instead, I learned that as a disciple of the Lord, the greatest business I can be about is first my family, and second – sharing the gospel with whomever I meet. Those two things have more eternal weight than any other calling there is. Appreciate your sharing today, praying the Lord continues to bless and encourage your heart in Him.
Thank you for sharing a bit of you here. The Lord many times does not answer the way we expect. I know I am trying to honor God in who I am and how I live my life. Our why is the gift God gives us as a way to shine His light in our own unique way. I am blessed you stopped by today.
Such poignant questions to sit with. And sometimes answers don’t come quick or easy. And that’s ok, isn’t it …
Yes it is okay! I am used to periods of waiting as I know you are too. Sitting in that place is okay when I know God is with me. I pray that these questions have given you food for thought in your own season of life.
I love this, Mary “Our what loses intensity when we do not connect it with the passion of our why.” So true. I find the “what” can be loud, demanding and wears me out when I don’t connect with the why. And my why is always connected to our Lord and His burden is light. Thank you for this wonderful challenge.
Oh my the what can be loud. It tries to take up all of our time and act so important but reality tells us that most of us are not just looking for time fillers. We seek more and we can only find that in Jesus. I am so glad to have you visit today and I pray these words continue to challenge you throughout the rest of the week.
HI Mary! I don’t think I have considered being able to answer the question ‘why’ when making my decisions. It’s a great way to stop and reflect on what motivates me. Where does the motivation come from, and is it something that will lead me closer and closer to God?
Your list is such an exciting one, as you think about your different roles, both in what you are now, and in what you would like to be. I think our desires are placed in us by God ( well, the good ones anyway!), so I wish you every blessing on your way to new roads. May God fill you and lead you right into his will.
Blessings,
Ceil
You never fail to send words that are just what I need. In my seeking for my why, I am on a path to grow closer to God and I like how you questioned where does my motivation come from and is it something that will bring me closer to God? Amen.
I would love to hear more about your journey in this part of your life. I am sure God is doing amazing things even if it is behind the scenes.
I’m on a journey of figuring out what my why is as God is busy redirecting my what. It’s been hard being stripped of ministry commitments and having to figure out my what and why since they aren’t what they once were. Boy what a tongue twister that was. I hope you understand what I’m trying to say. Ha!
I do understand what you are saying. Even though my situation looks different than yours there are similarities. Now that I’m retired, I my what and why has changed too. I don’t like the feeling of not knowing and I am sure you feel the same way. Thank you Barbie for being such an encourager and for stopping by and sharing the love!
I’ve just begun a study in my small group on our identity in Christ, Mary, so this subject and question is very timely for me. I love the idea of choosing the “why” when I consider my purpose and not just the what. Great thoughts! And how exciting to hear your son preach! Either I forget this detail about you or didn’t know it … it’s something we share in common–sons who are ministers. 😉
My older son actually is the worship leader at church. Since the pastor was out of town on New Year’s he asked my son if he would like to preach and he said “yes”. It was amazing for me as his mom and also for part of my family who were in town for the holidays.
I love when you tell me that something I have written connects with what is going on in your life. Are you doing a specific study on identity? It sounds like something I could benefit from. I pray that these words gave you food for thought and help you as you process identity. Love you friend!
Yes, yes, yes! When we know our why and guard our hearts with it, we persevere through those obstacles that appear as well as through those times where nothing seems to be happening! But staying on purpose and trusting God’s got it working out for us even when we can’t see is where we can grow deeper in our faith and our identity with Him. It’s such a perfect journey He has us on! Love theses God inspired words from you. Thank you.
I always love how you paraphrase and share my thoughts in your own words. You do it so well. I feel we “get” each other. You are on a journey right now where you are seeking and so am I. I pray these words blessed you today.
Wow! This video was POWERFUL! I am trying to wrap my mind around this concept of searching for my “why”. This post has really made me think, so thank you, my friend. God bless you for being faithful to share what He places upon your heart. 🙂
Thank you Cheryl! I have watched the video several times now and can’t get enough of it. I hope your thinking reveals some answers for you. Thank you for your sweet encouragement. I am blessed you stopped by.
These are great insights, Mary. It is very easy to get caught up in the what, but even the good things we’re doing lose their power and impact if we lose sight of the why. I’ll definitely need to reflect on this some more.
I am so glad my son challenged me that I could then challenge all of you. It is easy to go through the motions and lose the beauty of why God created us to do what we do. I hope you are given some insight as you reflect on this some more.
I don’t usually take the time to watch clips, Mary (I’m not much of a watcher or a listener–more of a reader ;)), but I’m so glad I did! This illustrates the difference between what and why so much better. You’ve given me food for thought.
I am so glad you watched the clip too. You would have missed out on some of the context for the quote. I hope as you are pondering your what and why that you find some clarity. Thank you for taking the time to read and listen!
Such great, personal thoughts, Mary! I have grappled with what defines me for a number of years. I know some of the roles God has gifted me with: wife, mom, writer, friend, daughter, sister . . . but my identity is based in Jesus. I’m God’s girl first and foremost.
So, I’m thinking about your challenge to find the why for my what. My one word for the year is Intentional. Now to find the Why For why God gave me this word to focus on. 🙂
Yes, you are God’s girl and that is where we find our true identity. Our why brings us closer to God as we discover the passion that He chose for us to begin with. I am sure that as you seek the meaning of “intentional” God will begin to clarify your why. I think that the two go together. I’m excited for you and all that God has in store for you. Love you friend!
Such insightful words, Mary. And that video is so powerful. It’s amazing how the man’s singing changed when he knew the why. Such a great example. This is something I need to reflect on more. Thank you! Love and hugs!
It is very challenging isn’t it? I love the video clip. I could watch it over and over and still learn something new. Thank you for being here and encouraging me!
I love how you’ve explained all this, and even though I’m not at the same kind of crossroads you have reached, your thoughts give me focus in the midst of my busy mom days.
I think we all have days where we are living life but question is there more. We look for that sweet spot and aren’t sure if we are finding it. I know that knowing my what is important but finding the why will lead me in a direction that is pointing to God. I hope your week has you looking for your why! 🙂