As I travel, I find those who work with purpose. It is amazing how effective they are in work! Everything seems to come together, even when chaos reigns. Repetitive tasks are handled with care, even when brute force would seem to be the easy answer. At times their approach stands out and you find yourself watching in awe. During other moments, it is as if their works rests upon you long after you have parted. Both are gifts of hope and encouragement.
As I grapple with priorities and values, I reflect on where I spend my time and energies. During this past week, I have shared time with people on three different continents. The challenges facing each are surprisingly similar. Disease and death touches us all. Stress and life uncertainties are universal plagues. The hope that comes with children nurtures even the most hard hearted. The pull of family, the gift of love by someone who knows us and the desire for things to get better are common threads that bind us together as children of God. The thirst to know the Divine comes in all sorts of colors and words; yet it is more real than at any time in my life.
Where do you find your purpose?
The challenge of living fully each day is daunting, even for the strongest. Bad things are touching the lives of people of all demographics and God views. Nobody is immune from the ravages of life, yet everywhere I look there are signs of hope.
God gives each of us the opportunity to make a difference in at least one life each day.
God reaches out to each, offering a sign of mercy or grace just when you least expect it.
God arms extend farther than anyone can possibly imagine, yet they are as close as our yes.
Our purpose comes with the choices we make. “The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.” (Proverbs 12.24)
Freedom, hope, and compassion; these are words worth living for. Each word begin with you and me.
