In order to get the most out of this post, I encourage you to go back in the Archives to my previous post, "What Is My Purpose? Part I"...
Theologians have debated forever on the exact number of days that Jesus' ministry lasted here on earth. The Bible says that Jesus participated in three Passovers during his ministry, which some believe that made his ministry three years. Others argue it was more like two or two and half since he ended his ministry with the last supper.
Anyway, let's be conservative and say Jesus' ministry lasted for at least two years. That's 730 days. In the Bible there are 37 documented miracles...that's 37 jaw dropping days. So, what was Jesus doing the other 693 days??
Before I get to that, let me share what Jesus said (during his ministry) is the Greatest Commandment.
" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind.'" This is the first and greatest commandment and the second one is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)
Now, if you'll let me digress even further, let me share with you my journal entry from one day in July (I do have a purpose in all this)...
July 29, 2016
Today I came upon an old WWJD bracelet of (my daughters) while I was cleaning. I was called to pray and asked Jesus what He would have Me do this day? His answer was GBJ???? I wondered what He meant. It came to me: Go....Be...Jesus (GBJ) - the greatest commandment (as written above).
I didn't have to jump on a plane to Kenya, but I did jump in my car and it knew just where to go...Starbucks. I felt giddy. I scribbled "Jesus loves you." on my business card. I paid for the car behind me in the drive through and asked the sweet barista to give the driver my card. I was smiling.
Next stop...Trader Joe's. I headed for the person who dishes out the samples. Her name tag said "Nikki" so I called her by name. After the swarm of vultures grabbed her goodies and departed, I lingered to talk with her while she cooked up the next batch.
It didn't take long to learn that she was a single mom struggling to make ends meet. I had been a single mom too. I listened...I empathized...I encouraged...and I gave her a hug (yes, I'm a hugger). Before I left I asked what specifically I could pray for her?
While working from home, I took a few minutes to write some thank you notes to people. I was actually nice and pleasant to the A/C guy who hadn't called me back for a few days. When I said, "You must be really busy with the oppressive heat we've been having..." He took it as an invitation to vent a little. Here he was trying to help people and all he got in return were nasty complainers.
This all happened before 10 am. In the afternoon I took a short break from work, made myself a cup of coffee, read God's word, and watched the finches at the bird feeder. I watched three of these gloriously yellow creatures and their intricate dance with each other...What if I lived every day like this??
A day in the life of me...I didn't set the world on fire. I didn't win any awards. I didn't get any offers to publish my story. I didn't do anything worthy of a news headline.
This was simply one of those six hundred ninety three days.
Jesus knocked people's socks off 37 times out of 730 days. I don't even begin to liken myself to Jesus, so let's say I do 3 noteworthy things in 730 days. What is my purpose the other 727 days?? I think Jesus would say "Go be like me."
So what does that look like?? In the majority of His days when He wasn't performing miracles, He was eating meals with friends, hanging out and talking to the dregs of society, walking and talking with people along dusty roads, washing others' feet, asking questions, listening, even weeping with those who wept.
He loved and talked with His Father...He loved on others in very practical ways...He even took time for himself by drawing away from society to pray, renew, and refresh.
I have gotten so hung up on my purpose having to be something big and awesome and impressive for God.
Yes, I've dreamed of publishing a book, going on a mission trip, being a widely followed blogger. Not discounting God, I'm realizing that many of the things on my "Big Purpose For God Bucket List" simply may not happen...and that's okay.
I am what my friend, Nancy, calls a plodding blogger. I am not an elite blogger, but in my blog I've shared my struggles through divorce and with anxiety and depression, and you know what? I've been blessed to be able to walk with a few other women who are, or who have traveled these same paths. Perhaps my words have deeply touched a few. I am learning to be okay with this.
I've also had to take a long hard look at my motivation behind my "Purpose Bucket List". The first glaringly amiss word is "my".
In searching for "My Purpose" I was actually wrestling with good old-fashioned pride...ouch!
I had to ask "WHY" did I want to do all these things? Were they for God's glory or for my own?
I had to ask myself, "Am I earnestly seeking purpose or am I earnestly seeking HIM?"
Yes, some people are called to write books, speak in front of groups, do wonderful things through missions and ministry, but the fact of the matter is that we still have to live those other 693 days.
I believe that's where God would have us focus. If He can trust us with the "small" everyday stuff, we may get a chance in the big leagues to have a jaw-dropping, walk on water, raise someone from the dead kind of day?!
Meanwhile, I truly believe my greatest purpose and calling is:
This was simply one of those six hundred ninety three days.
Jesus knocked people's socks off 37 times out of 730 days. I don't even begin to liken myself to Jesus, so let's say I do 3 noteworthy things in 730 days. What is my purpose the other 727 days?? I think Jesus would say "Go be like me."
So what does that look like?? In the majority of His days when He wasn't performing miracles, He was eating meals with friends, hanging out and talking to the dregs of society, walking and talking with people along dusty roads, washing others' feet, asking questions, listening, even weeping with those who wept.
He loved and talked with His Father...He loved on others in very practical ways...He even took time for himself by drawing away from society to pray, renew, and refresh.
I have gotten so hung up on my purpose having to be something big and awesome and impressive for God.
Yes, I've dreamed of publishing a book, going on a mission trip, being a widely followed blogger. Not discounting God, I'm realizing that many of the things on my "Big Purpose For God Bucket List" simply may not happen...and that's okay.
I am what my friend, Nancy, calls a plodding blogger. I am not an elite blogger, but in my blog I've shared my struggles through divorce and with anxiety and depression, and you know what? I've been blessed to be able to walk with a few other women who are, or who have traveled these same paths. Perhaps my words have deeply touched a few. I am learning to be okay with this.
I've also had to take a long hard look at my motivation behind my "Purpose Bucket List". The first glaringly amiss word is "my".
In searching for "My Purpose" I was actually wrestling with good old-fashioned pride...ouch!
I had to ask "WHY" did I want to do all these things? Were they for God's glory or for my own?
I had to ask myself, "Am I earnestly seeking purpose or am I earnestly seeking HIM?"
Yes, some people are called to write books, speak in front of groups, do wonderful things through missions and ministry, but the fact of the matter is that we still have to live those other 693 days.
I believe that's where God would have us focus. If He can trust us with the "small" everyday stuff, we may get a chance in the big leagues to have a jaw-dropping, walk on water, raise someone from the dead kind of day?!
Meanwhile, I truly believe my greatest purpose and calling is:
To love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul,
with all my strength, and with all my mind.
To love my neighbor
and
To love myself.
God wants me to live and walk humbly with a contrite heart. That, I believe is my purpose. When I keep my eyes focused on Him (and not on "my" purpose) in the everydayness, that's when He might call upon me for one of those "37 days" miracles.
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to walk simply with humility and a contrite heart. Enable me to find my purpose simply in being yours and being called your child. Open my eyes that I may have three great loves: You, my neighbor, and myself (you delight when I take care of myself). Enable me to squelch the enemy's lies when he whispers - that I am not worthy, that I'm not doing enough, that you are disappointed in me. Let me take pleasure in the small things I can do with your great big love. If it pleases you, Lord, to use me in bigger ways, then I will be glad, but let my heart always be first and foremost for YOU! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Be blessed...
ps. There are many children like Sunana who still need sponsors. Many are on the waiting list. Just $15/month will give them a chance at new life. RCF, Inc. is helping...
