I asked a question at the beginning of my sermon yesterday that I honestly feel is one many have asked or are asking: “What is it that God wants me to do with my life?” Another way to phrase that question is, “What am I searching for?” If we are honest, we will admit that we are searching for something. We feel like we are missing that “it factor” but we aren’t sure what the “it” is. When I realized my dream of playing professional baseball then basketball was nothing more than a pipe dream, I asked that question. A teenager wants a good job or a good school to attend so he or she can get a good job. A career mom or a mom who has spent all her time with babies, bottles and brunches often wonders, “Is this all there is? What am I missing out on?” A middle aged man going through what is often called a mid-life crisis will wonder, “Is this all there is to life?” The answers which haunt us are often those things we think will make us feel good or feel satisfied, i.e a little more money, a better job, a different family. Bad questions to ponder.
We think jumping from one relationship to another, from one job to another, from one adventure to another will satisfy. One word answer: N.O.P.E. That is what people do though. But eventually the high fades and we are looking for the next best thing to capture our attention.
In the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon says he tried it all and found out it was all “Vanity.” His words: “Everything is meaningless, completely meaningless.” (Eccl. 1:2 NLT) A little later in the same chapter he says, “History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.” (v. 9) We have all kinds of voices telling us differently. Those voices play off our unhappiness, our insecurities, our lack of stability, and other weaknesses to play havoc with our peace and contentment.
News Flash! Peace and contentment will not and cannot be found in temporary things. It can only be found in the words of Solomon: “Fear God and obey his commands for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” (12:13-14). That is where true contentment is found.
True contentment can only be found in the Lord. When we give our lives to Jesus, He will be there always to fulfill His purposes for us.
Blessings, Bill!
Very true Martha. It behooves us to learn that.
Amen and Amen!
I’ve been chasing all kinds of foolish relationships for most of my life. It wasn’t until just a few months ago that one of those relationships ended after 25 years. Don’t get me wrong, it was a nice one, but one with so many questions. And the kicker was that it ended just like it started, only this time God said “Hey Ed, let’s get together, just you and I!”
Sometimes we have hard heads and it takes awhile for God to get our attention and for us to say, “Yes Lord.”
I have read several books on finding God’s purpose for your life. I have taken quizzes on how to find your purpose. The truth is IMHO, is that you have to stop searching, and making lists, and working at it so hard that you just simply miss God’s hand in your life. If you have would told me six years ago I was going to be part of a pray group that meets weekly and once a month, I would have told you, I am not good and praying out loud, and I would have passed. When I saw the invite in the bulletin, I thought nope not for me, however, God had other plans. The thought just kept coming to mind, over and over in that week. Not in a loud voice, not in a billboard, not in someone coming up to me and asking me to join, no sign coming from the universe to point me in that direction. All I knew was that I was not one that kept bringing it up in my mind, I had already made a decision. Instead, I just said, I need to go and check this meeting out. I left myself open to see where it might go, I did not have a preconceived plan. Now six years later, I am part of a pray group that prays for owen county, so many things are encompassed in that pray group. We have seen a lot prayers answered, we pray for pastors, churches, children, families, etc, what I have learned is that God loves prays from the heart, that’s it. God loves to have loving people come together, gather in His name, and pray, God only requires our heart. I have learned so much, and it has helped me to grow in my walk with God. I am open to more “purposes” to come into my life, I just trust God, when I feel I need to go and explore a new journey, I just open myself up to do that.
Thanks for this long and well-thought answer Gail. I concur that we need to stop reading and just start seeking God’s face. He will make His will known in some way. And as I read your comment all that came to mind was “Whoda thunk it?” The answer is obvious: God. He knew. He called. He said, “This is for you Gail. Follow me.” I’m glad you did.