Sometimes I hear people say they are bored and don’t have much to do. Recently, I caught my husband stating that he was bored, and I couldn’t refrain any a longer. I blurted it out and said, “Being bored is a bad quality; there is so much life to live.” (Maybe slightly judgmental, but thankfully he took it well!) I remember the day when yawns were prevalent and days felt aimless, but those were the days when I lacked purpose.
Years ago I found myself struggling with old wounds from a tough break-up. I was reading books, soaking up the content like water on a dry plant, as I wrestled through the faith related effects from the confusing loss. On one particular family vacation, I took a pile of books and spent hours on the beach and late at night reading, learning, and sorting through the meaning of life. One day, the tide was so high that there was no beach left to sit on. While the family went into the condo, I remained seated on a rock, with my prayer journal in hand… me, God and the waves. And my hands began to pen the impression He revealed to my soul in that moment. He was moving and was opening my eyes to see that I had purpose, rooted in Him. I did not need to be dependent on my relationships. I didn’t need to rely on my circumstances or even my abilities. God had called me as His child for a purpose, and I realized in that moment, there was much work to be done.
When you discover you are made on purpose for God’s purpose, suddenly life takes on a depth like never before. There are opportunities designed just for you. There are people that only you can bless. There are tasks that would be done better by you than anyone else. Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” ..You are not here by accident. You are also not in your current situation by accident. If you open your heart up to God, He will open your eyes to see that there is purpose in both the big and small things that surround you. There are people, places and things that need your special gifts, talents and touch.
There is a parable that Jesus tells in Matthew 25:14-30 called the Parable of the Talents. To summarize it there is a man who is going on a journey who entrusts three different servants with his property. Servant A, we’ll call him Freddy, he gives 5 talents. Servant B, we’ll call him Eugene, he gives 2 talents and Servant C, we’ll call him Max, he gives 1 talent. The property owner leaves for a long while. Freddy took his 5 talents and traded them and made five more talents. Eugene was able to take his talents and also make two more talents. But Max dug a hole and buried his master’s money. After a long time, the master returns and decides to settle his account with the three fellows. Each reported what they had done. The master told Freddy and Eugene how proud he was of their return on their invested talents. He told them both, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master’” Matthew 25:23. But when the master got to Max, he said some pretty harsh words and gave Max’s remaining talent away to someone who would use it wisely and with purpose.
There are talents and gifts that God has given specifically to you. There are callings and passions, He has written on your heart. You have a role to play and a purpose to live out. Live with adventure, risk, put yourself out there, take a chance, dream, pray boldly, say yes in faith, move mountains with a mustard seed, seek God with all your heart and find your purpose in Him. This is when life gets full and boredom ceases. Satan will always be quick to add distractions and discouragement. Failure will seem like a closed door, but persevere. Move forward and prayerfully rely on God with each trembling step. There is much life to be lived and much work to be done. Today is the day to live on purpose so that one day you’ll hear “Well done, good and faithful servant”!
By Rebecca Greenfield
itsonpurpose.org 