This morning I was playing with my daughter’s dog for whom we often dog sit. As I was looking at her, I thought of how well she has fulfilled her purpose in life. She has brought much pleasure to Amber and her boys, as well as to my wife and me. That led me to reflect on how well I have fulfilled my life’s purpose. Only God knows the answer to that, but from my perspective, I sense I have at least come close to having done so. In this last season of my life, my natural man aspires to do more for the God whom I love. I rest in the fact He knows my waning capabilities and totally understands the desire of my heart.
What is your perspective of your life to this point? Do you have a sense you have been in stride with God’s purpose for you? Or do you sense you have been slacking in that area of your life? If you sense more of the latter, what is it deep within that you have been sensing you need to do to pick up the pace so you can hear God say to you, Well done? I have above my desk a picture that reads, “Well done is better than well said.” It has motivated me many times.
In Nicky Gumbel’s Bible in One Year devotional, he told the story of Jonathan Gabay, a thirty-one-year-old professional writer, who was facing employment challenges and stress when he hit rock bottom. He began to ask questions about the meaning of life. He wrote to people in all walks of life: world leaders, the homeless, Oscar-winning actors, philosophers, comedians, taxi-drivers, teachers, explorers and prisoners on death row. He even wrote to Nicky! To each one he asked, ‘What is the meaning of life?’ Gabay compiled a book of the responses, together with others who had attempted, over time, to answer this question. They include the following: Richard Nixon: ‘Life is one crisis after another.’ John Lennon: ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.’ Dennis the Menace: ‘Life is what you make it – and I can make it UNBEARABLE!’ Albert Einstein: ‘The man who regards his life and that of his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unhappy but hardly fit for life.’ Numerous people replied that the meaning and purpose of life was to be found in Jesus Christ. Not only Mother Teresa and Billy Graham, but actors, scientists and the then Lord Chancellor. The Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, Graham Kentfield (whose signature was on every banknote at the time) said, ‘I am clear that the meaning of life can only be properly understood in the context of our relationship with God.’
I so identify with this translation of Paul’s purpose for the struggle in prayer that he had for the Colossae believers. I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery (Colossians 2:2, MSG). I pray this for each of those I have been privileged to serve through the years. There is so, so much to more to experientially know about God. The more I discover about Him, the greater joy and fulfillment I feel. I want the same for you.
What might be your next step in your journey to know Him more fully? It is a never-ending trek that brings increased satisfaction and fulfillment in each step you take.