Last week, we explored what potential looks like in our lives. We looked at the untapped possibilities that God gifts us with even before we were born. Our parents or other key players in our lives see potential in us that we don’t always see and many times encourage us to pursue. But God is honored when we allow Him to uncover the layers of who we are and open ourselves to the beauty of who He created us to be. Potential is already part of who we are, but purpose is how our potential is realized. (Click here to catch up with last week’s post.)
When we go to school, we have a purpose. When we work a job, we have purpose. When we become a parent, we have a purpose.
But what about when seasons change or life turns us in a different direction with no warning? These are the times the “whys” outweigh the “hows”. Or “what’s next” is answered with only silence. Our purpose is in question and we feel lost and uncertain as to our future.
I’m in the sequel of my life, my second chance, a gift of time that many of you call retirement. I find myself questioning my purpose- my “what’s next?” because I have not found the rhythm that God has planned for me. I’m not wandering around aimlessly and life has been quite busy, but it is just that- BUSY. When I seek purpose for this time of my life, I am searching for God’s plan and how I fit into it. My hope is to honor Him and others by building the kingdom rather than serving the world.
[Tweet “As I look for my purpose,I hope to honor God by building His kingdom rather than serving the world.”]
We hear God’s promise in Romans that we have a purpose.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
When we chose God and accepted the gift of Jesus dying for us to wipe away our sins, we are called to God’s purpose. His love for us is unceasing and His gift of grace is freely given. Love and grace are meant to be shared and we are called to do that as God’s children. Those things never end even when our job changes, family dynamics cause us heartache or we start our sequel. God’s purpose has always been clear. Love one another!
I love these words from Ephesians.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3
I want my purpose to be wrapped up in humility, patience, love and keeping peace. God would love nothing more than that too.
So as I wait, listen and look for my purpose, I am resting in knowing that God’s purpose for my life never changes. I can rest easy knowing…
God gives us direction when we embrace Him and His purpose
When we look for purpose, God’s timing is always perfect
God is our guide when worldly concerns interrupt our routine
God leads us when we choose to be led. God loves us even when we forget to love others. God forgives us when we make the same mistake for the 100th time. As God’s children, we are given the greatest purpose of all – to love one another!
How will you embrace God’s purpose as your own and seek to build God’s kingdom rather than serve the world?
Blessings of grace along the way!
Mary
Linking up with these beautiful ladies!
and Dawn for Grace Moments
Hi Sweet friend – once again, your message spoke directly to me! God’s purpose for you is to touch lives and hearts with your writings and sharing of insights, wisdom, Biblical knowledge, compassion and unending love of the Lord! He is using you as an instrument of grace and love. Heartfelt gratitude surrounds my soul!
Love,
Karen
I always love when you stop by Karen. God is so good to give me words to share that speak clearly to you. As for my purpose- you humble me with your sweet words. Thank you for seeing something in me that I don’t always see in myself. You are a beautiful blessing my friend!
Mary, may the Lord continue to guide you, friend. I know that He will complete His purposes for you! I’m looking ahead to next year, when I finish homeschooling (after 15 years!). I know God has many purposes for me, and I pray that He’ll continue to guide you down the new path He has for you. Change is never easy, is it?
Change is not easy but the unfolding of all God has planned for us is exciting. I am sure you are finding it hard to believe that your years of homeschooling have almost reached the end. I know it is bittersweet for you. The blessing is that you will begin a new season in which God can use you to build His kingdom in ways that you don’t even know yet. I can’t wait to hear what’s next for you. Blessings and prayers as we seek God in our what’s next.
Hi Mary! As I started to read about the theme of this post, I thought this was so applicable to your season now.
I do think that waiting in peace for answers is good in any season. Should happen daily really. We may think we are sailing right on to the next place, but be on the wrong map. Again, Scripture leads us to still streams where we can wait for our next adventure, or at least the treasure map to get there!
May we all be covered with the powerful, healing waters of grace to wait for God’s whisper.
Ceil
I haven’t thought about it a lot but you’re right that this is my season right now. God has written an amazing story for each of us and He has the perfect plan of when each chapter will be revealed. I am praying your prayer too for God’s grace to cover us in our seasons of waiting. Blessings to you!
I love this. I think sometimes I can get too caught up in wanting to know all the specific details of God’s purpose when, as you say, we already know it really- building God’s Kingdom and loving one another. It’s just seeking him for how he wants us to do that in our situation.
Yes, the seeking of our purpose in the bigger picture of loving others is where I am right now. I call it my “what’s next?” and all I know is God is in charge of every step. Praying that we can all let go of the details that God already has under control. Blessings!
You know, Mary, I think all of us who call ourselves Believers better be more Kingdom-minded than ever before. I believe with all my heart America is about to experience a shaking like it has never experienced before. I am not a doomsday prophet, but I believe we better be armed & dangerous IN THE WORD. Amen.
I agree Susan! The time is now to put on the armor of God and be ready with His truths when we are put to the test. It is scary but really with God by our side, we can’t lose. Blessings my friend!
I love your words to us today. They are so encouraging, my friend. I do hope that you are feeling encouraged in the purposes that God has for you in this second chapter of life. I can see Him doing all sorts of amazing things through you and we get to benefit from it all. What a great God we serve!
I am blessed that you and some others see my purpose clearer than I do. Saying those words to me helps me to see what God is trying to show me. I think being in a holding pattern in certain areas of my life clouds my vision to seeing that I am still working toward what God is calling me to do. Thank you for making my purpose just a little bit clearer today friend! Happy Weekend!
Interesting, Mary.
I’m with you … I still haven’t found my new rhythm. I think I’m just about there, but not quite.
But I am content. Believing God has something for me at some point.
It’s a good place to be, isn’t it …
Every time I think I have found my rhythm, God lets me know that it is still evolving and to not get too comfortable. It just seems to be the season I am in right now. But knowing that there is a “what’s next?” is exciting. Love that we share a season friend!
So good…”God is honored when we allow Him to pull back the layers…” I will cherish this.
Thank you Lisa! I am treasuring the time you spent here to read my words and leave such a sweet comment. Blessings!
I know one purpose God has given you, Mary, and that is writing for us. Through you, we gain such insight and encouragement. Thank you. I’m sure it must be hard though to be in transition and to wait. Blessings and hugs to you!
Wow! I am humbled by your words Trudy. I write because God called me to it and I pray every time I write that I am honoring God and encouraging others. Waiting is always hard but seeking God in the waiting brings peace. Love you friend!
So much THIS: “God leads us when we choose to be led. God loves us even when we forget to love others. God forgives us when we make the same mistake for the 100th time. As God’s children, we are given the greatest purpose of all – to love one another!”
Amen! It seems easy enough! Love one another. However, it is the easiest thing to mess up too. Praying we wake up each day with the purpose of loving on others throughout day. If we start with that each day, we should get better and better at it. Hugs!
I will seek his purpose by loving (especially the prickly, hard to love people that I’d much rather ignore).
Amen to loving others even the ones that are hard to love. It is something I need to work on for sure. Thanks for being here Anita! Blessings!
This was a blessing to read. Like Michele above, I’m also in a winnowing process and this was a very encouraging reminder of the faithfulness of God in leading our way.
Thank you for being here Harmony! I pray that as you are in the process of figuring out your purpose God clears your mind and fills you with understanding. Blessings!
Glad for His greater purposes and the purposes He has for each of us, too. I’m finding that even in seasons with some specific purposes, I’m unsure of some of the greater purpose of how it all matters. Confusing, I know. Your words help to simplify and calm me!! Thank you! #RaRaLinkup
I am blessed that these words calm you. I do understand that even when we have a purpose we don’t know how it all fits in with the bigger picture. I have a purpose now of caring for my dad, but I can’t see beyond this to know what else God has in mind for me. Not sure if that is what you mean but that is my interpretation. 🙂 Praying we both continue to seek our purpose and understand how it will glorify God. Blessings!
Oh yes, Mary. I’ve been in those seasons before. Especially after I became a stay-at-home mom. The question, “What do you do all day?” as been asked of me more than once. Thank you for this beautiful reminder that God’s purposes are what will prevail, and we are wise to seek them. Blessed to have you at the linkup today.
So fun to have you host the linkup today. It is comforting to me to know that there is always purpose in knowing God and His truths. We should never feel like we are floundering when we are in a season of waiting or uncertainty. Thank you for blessing me with your kind words.
You’re fulfilling at least one of your God-given purposes right here, Mary. By inspiring and encouraging us to seek and follow Him. Well done, my friend.
Your sweet words just really blessed me. It is my joy and honor to share words here and when they have encouraged someone else then I have honored God. You are a treasure friend!
“My hope is to honor Him and others by building the kingdom rather than serving the world.” This is my hope, too, Mary. Sometimes the path is uncertain or rocky. Sometimes it’s clear, but hard. But all times joy can be found if we are staying close to God and following his lead. Thanks for sharing your heart! Blessings to you, Mary!
Joy is always there when we follow God’s lead. Thank you for those words. That reminds me to be grateful for the hard and know that God is in it all. He’s ready to walk and love us through it. You lift me up with your encouragement, friend!
During these times of transition, too, is a letting go and learning to trust, isn’t it? God’s been leading me to Solomon lately as I navigate the ‘why bother’ thoughts on the ‘doing.’ I love how you have broken down in three points how we can continually trust His ways each moment.
Thank you for blessing me by being here. I can understand the feeling of “why bother” because I have been there before. I hold onto the truths that God gives us direction, His timing is perfect and He is our guide when we feel derailed. I pray we all can turn to God first for truth and understanding. Blessings!
There’s a lot for me to process here, Mary. I’m in the winnowing process myself, trying to assess what’s kingdom work and what has to go. Thanks for this thoughtful collection of insights.
God has a way of laying a lot out there and then we have to trust Him that it will all become clear. I know I have been given much food for thought and I am praying that God continues to reveal what my kingdom work will look like in the future. Thank you for sharing so honestly. Praying we both let God lead us during this time of our lives.
Hi Mary! I love this line ” Potential is already part of who we are, but purpose is how our potential is realized. ” So true! God give us all potential and in following Him we find our purpose. I have very similar thoughts on this topic as you may have already seen in my post from this week. Thanks for your continued pursuit of God and His purpose for you-I look forward to where He leads you! Nice to be your neighbor at #RaRaLinkup too!
God does gift us with potential and it is a beautiful thing. But we seek our purpose over and over because the world tells us we should. But you said it so well when you reminded me that in following God we find our purpose. Thank you for stopping by here and for your sweet words today. Blessings!