Purpose... that's where my thoughts are today. It was something touched upon in discussion yesterday at our biblestudy. There was talk about our life's purpose... mostly what I call 'big picture' stuff.
We all have purpose to glorify God & to be in relationship with Him... I get that. And, that is no small thing. In fact, it is truly everything!
But, you know what I'm talking about, right? This idea that we all have a grand, individual, overriding life purpose...
... a mission
.... a "job"
..... "the" thing that you do
Someone might say their purpose is to sing, another might be called to a life of missions, still another could say they were made to evangelize. They seem to have a very clear grasp on this... confident in their path. But, honestly, this subject has always intimidated me a little. Because, as of yet, I haven't "discovered" my "big-picture" purpose. I'm not saying that God hasn't given me gifts to use... I've just not found ONE that I felt best defined my purpose here on the planet.
It just seems to me that... yes, some people definitely have a 'big picture' purpose in their life... but some of us , however, may not. Maybe... this isn't a "one size fits all" concept. And, even though in my past I may have been a little more eager to find that 'big picture' purpose I thought I was supposed to have... now I'm starting to find that I'm ok with the possibility of not having one. I'm open to the idea that there might be something 'big picture' in my future... but if not, I think I can honestly say... I'm good with that.
Because... what if... God has different ways of approaching this? Maybe I'm not designed to be a specialist! Looking back, what I think I see is a trend of 'small picture' purpose happening in my life. Little moments, almost imperceptible if I'm not watching closely. Moments where I'm pretty sure I've served a specific purpose in someone's life... but in a brief moment. A hug, a conversation, maybe just a comment in passing... but almost always something that I've walked away from wondering... where did that come from?! Why on earth did I say... that?
Well, really... I'm past the stage of wondering where it comes from. I know. I still marvel at it... but I know where it's from. I'm starting to think of it as a 'girl friday' sort of purpose ... odd jobs, so to speak :) I've learned fairly well the difference between things that I orchestrate & the things that are orchestrated beyond me. And, slowly, I'm beginning to recognize the feeling of surpressing it, too. (I pray that I will learn to avoid that feeling better as time goes by!)
I think I may even have a small glimpse of understanding as to why 'purpose' might happen this way. (And, please don't think that I'm using this as a sweeping generalization for anyone else... ) but for me, I think it might be a matter of pride. I wonder how I would handle a talent or gift that was so predominant, it would overshadow my entire life. Not that it's something I care to admit, but I think I might be a little prideful about it. And, knowing myself like I do, I'm pretty sure that if I had that ONE big gift... well, I might try to control, manage, enhance, harness and (ouch!) exploit it... just a little.
Is it possible He already knows this about me?? Uhhh... yes, without a doubt. Is it possible that He is, then, working for my good?? Again, yes... I think so.
Because, the way it works for me right now... I'm usually blindsided by these 'small picture' episodes of purpose. I don't usually see them coming & sometimes I'm not even quick enough to avoid them! I hope it doesn't sound too harsh to say... I think He keeps me on a short leash, this way. I'm dependent on Him for the situation, as well as the actions & words within that situation. It almost sounds like there's not much "me" in it at all....
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...................... ok, yeah.... I get it!
One other thought... all of these 'small picture' things that happen... in the end, from the other side of our earthly perspective... maybe they actually create a 'big picture' after all.
But, if not... I'm good with that, too :)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
I am not God...
I'm quite sure that doesn't surprise you. In the least.
But, I think it might come as a shock to... well, me. The innermost "me" that thinks she is running the show. The one who stresses & worries about all of those details that just seem *so* overwhelmingly important... the details that are just screaming out for my control.
Hmmm.... are they... really?
A few selected thoughts from the book Crazy Love (F. Chan):
Indeed... exactly (W)ho do I think I am?
But, I think it might come as a shock to... well, me. The innermost "me" that thinks she is running the show. The one who stresses & worries about all of those details that just seem *so* overwhelmingly important... the details that are just screaming out for my control.
Hmmm.... are they... really?
A few selected thoughts from the book Crazy Love (F. Chan):
"Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives."
"Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control."
"Both worry and stress reek of arrogance."
"Who do we think we are?"
Indeed... exactly (W)ho do I think I am?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Redemption Center
I used the word "redeem" the other day at our ladies' bible study. When it came out of my mouth, I thought it sounded a bit too 'churchy', but that's really not at all how I think of it. My mental illustration of the word 'redeem' has a more decidedly humble background...
From my 70's childhood, I remember "S&H Greenstamps". As memory serves, they would give you these little green stamps (think: postage stamps) when you made a purchase at the grocery store. Some of the 'fancier' stores had little machines that would spit out the stamps automatically, but alas... ours were just handed to us from a drawer by the cashier. The larger the purchase, the more stamps you received. You saved these up by pasting them into a special book, a page at a time, until you filled the book. This 'lick & stick' project fell to me... and I thought it was a great privilege.
But, the best thing about the Greenstamps was... redemption! After you saved up a sufficient number of books, you could take them to a special store called the Redemption Center. We had one in our hometown, making this a very tangible experience for me. You could take in your books & trade them for some pretty good stuff! For some reason, I remember the kitchen items the most - mixers, blenders, popcorn poppers, etc. I'm sure they had kid items... but I think I was impressed that you could actually trade in these books for important items (i.e. grown-up stuff!!) The stamps themselves, as much as I might have enjoyed being in charge of them, were really worthless of their own accord. There at the Redemption Center... they were in the business of taking in that which was worthless and giving out valuable things in return.
So... that's the image in my mind when I use the word "redeem". A vivid set of memories brings this idea to life for me. I can recall clearly my mom's wallet, which usually had a strip of stamps tucked inside... or one or two loose stamps in with the coins. See, definitely not 'churchy'... but I think that's what makes it so real to me. When I hear Jesus described as 'Redeemer'... it connects with me. Not in a complicated, sophisticated, or lofty way... but in a down-to-earth way that touches that place where fond memories reside. In other words, it's not just a religious precept... I genuinely "get it".
And, this was what I hoped to convey the other day... Yes, He is our Redeemer at the highest level... allowing us to trade our death for His Eternal Life. Please understand, it all starts there.
But... He also acts as Redeemer in other ways, as well. What about those 'little books' within your lifestory that you wish weren't there? Maybe it's a situation, a hurt, a sin... something that you rather would *not* exist at all... something that you wish could be forgotten altogether. The honest truth is, you probably will never forget it. But, what if... it could be redeemed? What if you could take this worthless thing & trade it in for something of value... something truly good? Would you do it?
The good news is... you can! Just like we traded in our little bits of worthless paper and received something desirable, something valuable.... so can you! Jesus is in the business of redeeming all kinds of things that, on their own, are truly worthless. Imagine that for a moment... something that brings layers of pain & guilt for you... something that you can't forget, no matter how hard you try. But, can you imagine 'turning it in'? Giving it away & receiving something like peace... contentment... even joy? I've seen it happen and it has a beauty that is hard to describe.
There are millions of examples, I suppose, of how this has happened in people's lives. Each one a little different... each one custom made to the individual! But, perhaps none of them as truly meaningful in your heart as the one you experience yourself. So, if there is something like that in your life today... why not turn it in for redemption? You may be surprised at it's value!
" (He) redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion..." (Psalm 103:4)
From my 70's childhood, I remember "S&H Greenstamps". As memory serves, they would give you these little green stamps (think: postage stamps) when you made a purchase at the grocery store. Some of the 'fancier' stores had little machines that would spit out the stamps automatically, but alas... ours were just handed to us from a drawer by the cashier. The larger the purchase, the more stamps you received. You saved these up by pasting them into a special book, a page at a time, until you filled the book. This 'lick & stick' project fell to me... and I thought it was a great privilege.
But, the best thing about the Greenstamps was... redemption! After you saved up a sufficient number of books, you could take them to a special store called the Redemption Center. We had one in our hometown, making this a very tangible experience for me. You could take in your books & trade them for some pretty good stuff! For some reason, I remember the kitchen items the most - mixers, blenders, popcorn poppers, etc. I'm sure they had kid items... but I think I was impressed that you could actually trade in these books for important items (i.e. grown-up stuff!!) The stamps themselves, as much as I might have enjoyed being in charge of them, were really worthless of their own accord. There at the Redemption Center... they were in the business of taking in that which was worthless and giving out valuable things in return.
So... that's the image in my mind when I use the word "redeem". A vivid set of memories brings this idea to life for me. I can recall clearly my mom's wallet, which usually had a strip of stamps tucked inside... or one or two loose stamps in with the coins. See, definitely not 'churchy'... but I think that's what makes it so real to me. When I hear Jesus described as 'Redeemer'... it connects with me. Not in a complicated, sophisticated, or lofty way... but in a down-to-earth way that touches that place where fond memories reside. In other words, it's not just a religious precept... I genuinely "get it".
And, this was what I hoped to convey the other day... Yes, He is our Redeemer at the highest level... allowing us to trade our death for His Eternal Life. Please understand, it all starts there.
But... He also acts as Redeemer in other ways, as well. What about those 'little books' within your lifestory that you wish weren't there? Maybe it's a situation, a hurt, a sin... something that you rather would *not* exist at all... something that you wish could be forgotten altogether. The honest truth is, you probably will never forget it. But, what if... it could be redeemed? What if you could take this worthless thing & trade it in for something of value... something truly good? Would you do it?
The good news is... you can! Just like we traded in our little bits of worthless paper and received something desirable, something valuable.... so can you! Jesus is in the business of redeeming all kinds of things that, on their own, are truly worthless. Imagine that for a moment... something that brings layers of pain & guilt for you... something that you can't forget, no matter how hard you try. But, can you imagine 'turning it in'? Giving it away & receiving something like peace... contentment... even joy? I've seen it happen and it has a beauty that is hard to describe.
There are millions of examples, I suppose, of how this has happened in people's lives. Each one a little different... each one custom made to the individual! But, perhaps none of them as truly meaningful in your heart as the one you experience yourself. So, if there is something like that in your life today... why not turn it in for redemption? You may be surprised at it's value!
" (He) redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion..." (Psalm 103:4)
(for the record... I borrowed the above pic from an ebay auction... go make a bid if you're interested in owning a bit of 70's memorabilia)
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