I am not a huge fan of cleaning.
I mean, I try to keep our house in decent-ish order, as in keeping the dishes contained to their sink/cabinet areas and preventing any accidental science experiments from growing in the back of the fridge.
However, as much as I loathe the day-to-day cleaning experiences, I do occasionally get in a mood to sort, organize and purge. In those moments, nothing can stop me from tearing apart the nearest coat closet or office desk drawer.
As an army family, we move a lot– and when we move, that is the ideal time to clean. And purge.
It’s funny because each time we go through this, I ALWAYS find several items that are just lying around which make me think: “Now WHY do we even OWN that?!?” (Fact of the matter is, we have probably held onto to said item and actually moved it from a previous house, yet never used it.)
It is then that the non-purposeful item makes a trip to our local Christian thrift store or Goodwill to fulfill its purpose somewhere else instead of sitting idly on a shelf or in the bottom of my closet.
As I was reflecting on the latest chapter of our bible study in “Calm My Anxious Heart” by Linda Dillow, I couldn’t help but think… How many people in this world are living their lives like those “why-do-we-even-have-this” items?
We are all designed with a purpose. God has a purpose for YOU. He planned you with a purpose. Are you fulfilling it? Or simply drifting through life, waiting for the next steps to happen?
I don’t know about you, but I really want to be USEFUL to God, to be fulfilled by Him while fulfilling the purpose He has for me… I desire to be His good and faithful servant– not just watch life drift by as I figuratively collect dust and grow old.
When we float through life without a focus, contentment is impossible.
Over the last several years, God has continued to define His purpose in tangible ways. This week, we are challenged to write a purpose statement… It can be a word or a phrase or bible verse. Here are some examples taken from the chapter…
Johnathan Edwards wrote his as a list of resolutions. Better Scott Stam created her life-purpose statement in the form of a prayer. Others live by a Bible verse. Some people have a few sentences with key words in them. One of the purpose statements that really spoke to my heart was as follows: “Lord Jesus, I offer You all that I am, all that I have, all that I do, all that I suffer now and forever.”
After praying through this, I came up with a “rough draft” of my life purpose statement. (It’s still being refined and developed.)
“Father, my life is not own. I am bought with a price. I belong to you. Every day, I will love. I will grow. I will pray. I will encourage. All for You. My deepest desire is to please you and hear these words upon my arrival at heaven’s gate: ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’ I vow to live Soli Deo Gloria– to the Glory of YOU alone.”
The Knoblochs and our life purpose statements… as permanent reminders.
Do you have a life purpose or mission statement? What is it? Let’s encourage each other on this journey– leave your comments below!
Our lives are not meant to simply drift. When we have something to live for (Christ,) contentment comes much more easily. In life, we are not to collect dust or drift aimlessly or be shoved in the bottom of a hypothetical closet. We are ALL planned with purpose. What’s yours?
Praising Him for our Purpose,
SGK
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” ~Proverbs 19:21
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If you are “Officially” participating in our weekly bible study, here is chapter 8’s homework in Calm My Anxious Heart! Enjoy!!
Day 1: Study Guide~Question 1, Memorize and meditate on 1 Peter 5: 6 -7., Question 2
Day 2: Question 3. a., b., c.
Day 3: Questions 4,5
Day 4: Questions 6, 7
Day 5: Questions 8, 9
***Extra***
Word Study: 1 Peter 5: 6 – 7
Exalt or lift up; Due time; Cast; Cares (He cares for you)
Word Study: Philippians 1: 9 – 11
Love; Abound; Knowledge; Depth of insight (Judgement); Discern (approve); Best (excellent); Pure (Sincere); Blameless (without offense); Filled; Fruit of righteousness
