Learning On Purpose- a Journey #1

Many of us can become confused about our purpose.  We hear that God has a purpose for us and He planned it from the foundations of the earth, before we were formed in our mother’s womb.  We understand that, and when we get a clue about it, we search, and search and search… sometimes wonder if God forgot about us.  The truth is NO, He has not forgotten you.  Discovering and walking in our purpose is not as easy as some of us have heard.   See the discovery phase can last a lot longer than we have been told, our purpose does not just ‘show up’ one day and then we walk in it.  Discovering and walking in purpose happens as we go. We find things that work, we eliminate things that don't, because It is a journey, not a destination.  And as we go, we should be learning.  God does not waste any experience we have, with every job we work on, every relationship encounter, every ministry opportunity, we should lean something that connects to our purpose. 

THREE THINGS YOU LEARN ON PURPOSE

I was talking myself through the life of Joseph and how he discovered his purpose.  If you recall the story, he started off with simple dreams.  He was already created by God with a purpose, but he knew nothing outside his life  experiences until the dreams came.  His parents didn’t allow him to do the hard work that the others did, but he learned numbers other administrative type things that there was not much use for at home.  But his  dreams got him excited about doing something different, he had no clue what it might be, but he was excited enough to talk about it.  As the story goes, his brothers didn’t like his preferential treatment so he winds up sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, accused of rape by his bosses wife, and in prison helping guards.  After getting out of prison at the Pharaoh’s request, he ends up ruling second in command in a land he was not born in.  At the end of the story,  he is able to use some of those things he learned and he brings provision to the land and ultimately saves them all and his family too.

While looking over his journey, it brought me to three areas that I believe we will need to learn on our own purpose  journey.  Many areas you may have already experienced, but sometimes it makes more sense when we think of it in context.   The first area we learn about is

#1 LEARN GOD

To be affective in our purpose, we need to first know God.  How can we walk in what He put in us, if we don’t acknowledge Him first?  After all, He did promise to direct our paths if we did.  Knowing God is key, because anything He calls us to do, will not go the opposite of Himself.  He will not call us to hurt or abuse others, even when He calls us to correct or rebuke someone, it will always be to reconcile them to Himself.  God will always undergird our assignments with LOVE, because that is what He is.  So, the more we know Him, the more we set boundaries that can help us to be successful at what He has called us to do.  

If you are on a purpose journey and you don't know God, or maybe you are not actively learning and seeking ways to know Him and His ways, that is going to be the first key for you.  God does not want to to know what to do, more than He wants us to know Him.  The bible says how can two walk together except they agree?  We have to know that also works for us agreeing and walking with God.  Many are pursuing purpose apart from God, but there is still a lonely place that needs to be filled once they find what it is.   To get where you need to be whole, will require the one who made you.  Before looking so hard at what you are to Do in this life, think and pray, talk to the one you will ultimately DO IT FOR.  Connect with God!  

Join us next week as we uncover the second area we need to learn as take this  purpose journey!

"Unlikely Mentors"

My kids and I have always been  huge Walt Disney fans,  so when they were young, we watched many movies on a regular basis from our extensive collection.    One movie in particular was called "Treasure Planet."  This movie was unique to me in that the main character was a boy that had no girlfriend, was not looking for a girlfriend, but he a little messed up and it showed up by him  riding his space-board and getting in trouble with the law.  His mother who was at ends as to how to help him, was tired and unsure of her single parent abilities. The boy ended up being mentored by someone who was the MOST UNLIKELY candidate, a criminal, a pirate who was looking for treasure. The turns and twists of the movie leaves you understanding that the pirate was actually a good guy, with a huge heart, his choices and associates in life kept him in the behavior he was in, and  it was all he knew.   But in the midst of all his wrong, he did something very right.  He mentored a child.

LIKELY MENTORS

 Mentors are basically defined as a experienced or trusted adviser.  When we think of mentors, or look for one, we often think of people who have gone through something and have come out on top, someone we respect who is where we want to be- or they are headed there.  We think of good people who look and act the part that society celebrates.  Sometimes we seek out mentors because they  have reached a level of success and now they are wanting to return something to their community, to a group  or a possibly a targeted individual.  We see this in sports and in business, in churches and even in education.  People look for mentors, someone who can help them with insight and direction in any given area.   Mentors are needed, they are valuable and if you get a good one, you will never forget them.  

UNLIKELY MENTORS

In life we may run into people who don't really have it all together.  They may be good people, but some things are just a hindrance in their life. I recently saw a post about a young man who lived a difficult life.  He was involved in gangs and looked the part of someone you would avoid. He spent days now volunteering for a local charity and working with a group of people at his church.    When he gave his life to Christ, he was covered with tattoos and piercings,  His outward man was a mess, but his heart was God's. 

One day he was asked to speak to a group, and he was so nervous.  He didn't know what he could say to them, they were different than he was, they had not lived a life of pain that he did.  Yet he was a great father and he was a  believer, that alone qualified him to speak. That day he became an unlikely mentor.   See we often like to receive from people who look like where we want to be.  It is hard to look up to who you look down on, but there are people who love like Jesus loves, they care like He cares and the life they survived is part of what taught them to do it. 

You may be one of those people or you may know some.  They may be like this young man, a gang member, an ex con, prostitute, drug addict, drug dealer or more.  They could have a past that would scare anyone, but if they are connected with God, there is no telling what we can learn from them.  Be aware of people around you, no telling what valuable lessons and insight they hold.   If it is you, learn to shine... take the lessons of your life and allow others to benefit from your mistakes and your lessons learned.  We are all here for a reason, sharing and helping others is just one part of it, no matter how unlikely.   

"Young Enough to Remember!"

I am not one who remembers everything in my childhood.  I can sometimes remember faces, I can recall experiences and sometimes something will trigger a memory I didn't realize I had.  This is not due to age,  (for those of you who were thinking) it has always been that way.  My sister recalls EVERYTHING, she remembers family, their children's names, our old neighborhood and the people who lived next to us that made hot tortillas with butter.   She can go into a complete dialog describing settings, people, what was said, and who was there from over 40 years ago, and on occasion I will remember... just a bit.  Sometimes I ask myself is it is necessary to remember my youth, am I missing something by having this - what I call 'a gift of forgetting'?  

THE GIFT OF FORGETTING

For years now I have told people that I have a gift of forgetting, and in turn they would tell me to pray and ask God to help me remember.   They would use the scripture "The memory of the just is blessed.." Prov 10:7 ; and would tell me that they use that verse whenever they needed to find their keys, or didn't recall where they parked the car; but that is not what that scripture is talking about.  It's talking about just or honorable people who die- their memory is a blessing.  So I don't feel bad about my lack of memory, since the bible was not telling me I was unjust because I could not recall  something.  I now just need to live in such a way that someone will recall me in a good way.   

When it comes to forgetting, I have found that it can be a good thing,  especially since I have done a lot of counseling.  I love that I can hear the deepest hidden hurts, and be in the moment with someone, and when I see them later, I see them.. not their issue.  For the most part, I have forgotten it!  I see victorious people that I have had an opportunity to connect with and I can freely celebrate the encounter without a bunch of images that could mar the moment.   If we begin to talk and something is said that needs that memory to be triggered, it will trigger it, but only if it's needed for the current conversation.  I have often thanked God for the ability to forget because I sleep VERY well at night, and don't worry or carry burdens of people who are instructed to carry those burdens to the cross.   So just as important as remembering, so is forgetting. (I am thankful God chooses to forget some stuff we do!)

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Remember Your Creator in the Days of Your Youth.

Aside from trying to remember everything in our life, we really have to remember God.  As young people, I know the temptation is there to only build your brand, build your wealth, build your relationships, but we HAVE to remember God now; when we are young enough, strong enough, determined enough to make a difference.   There will come a day that we will sit on the sidelines and watch, when we can give wisdom to others based on the lessons we have learned, but we will have to trust them to carry it out.  I know most of us are planning to live to be 100, but your 100 year old body, will still be 100 years old!  I know 40 is the new 20, 50 the new 30... but your body will still have 100 year old ears, feet and bones, and a new generation will still be moving and doing more than you.  Remembering God includes doing what He called you to do NOW.  It includes learning to honor Him in every area of your life, treating people the way He says to, building a platform that proclaims His name.  Loving God, loving others and loving yourself will lend towards a great retirement, and your latter days will really be better than the former ones.   

If you have young children or teenagers, teach them early to honor God.  Give them a legacy that shows they can do it all!  They can prosper, be in health, honor God, bless people, walk in purpose and make money to provide for their needs, bless others and build the kingdom of God.   If we focus just on one area, we have forgotten the Creator and forgotten His ability and power to bless us beyond all we could ask or think.  

In closing, I may not remember everything that has happened in my life, but I will NEVER FORGET the God Who kept me, who equipped me, Who chooses to use me, and forgives me for all my wrong. He continues to lead me today, and one day, He will come back for me... Until then.....   I continue to honor Him, and daily I remember.  

"Predator Priest" Check The Call.

I still believe there are some words that should never be spoken next to each other in a sentence.  One of those phrases is "Homeless Veteran"  for our Veterans to serve this country, risk their lives and make it out alive, they should not end up homeless.  Whether is it due to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or difficulty finding a job, they should have some place to live.  We build enough low income apartment complexes for those who may be struggling, but may not have risked their lives.  Why can't we build a community that allows those who have seen stuff we only see in movies, heard things that would keep us awake at night, and experienced things that they were unprepared for; to be able to live without fear, with onsite assistance for mental issues and difficult days.  It sounds better than just spending billions of dollars on a wall. (sidebar note, but that wall is in the news more than our homeless veterans.)   Along with Homeless Veterans, another set of words that should not be spoken in the same sentence are  "Predator Priests"

PREDATOR PRIESTS

What I don't Understand....

What I don't Understand is grown folks trying to mess with children.  I don't understand the unnatural appeal for sex that causes a grown person (man or woman) to be drawn or enticed by a child.  As many grown folks running around on planet earth that can appease their sexual desire, why mess with kids?  If you have issues that no adult on earth is interested in you, there are other ungodly ways to meet that need.  You can pay for it, you can purchase those gross dolls they have that look like real people to appease yourself... but leave the children alone!    The next thing I don't understand is a person who has made a vow to help people -going that far outside the realm of help, to hurt.  If  you feel you missed your calling to help, then stop.  Get out of that area of ministry and go on with your plan B.  See the call of God is specific to glorifying Him and helping people.  If you have stepped outside those two areas, it is not a call anymore.  Walk away, do your dirt on your own so when you go down, the church does not have to take the hit with you.

What I do understand 

God has made us with natural desires.  We all have them, whether we are Believers in any religion, or whether we are not.  Those desires are for us to Consummate marriage, for Pleasure and to Replenish the Earth.  Like everything in life, we get to choose how we use everything that has been given to us.  We can use it for good, or for evil.   

We know that God does not advocate sex outside marriage, no matter how much we do it... but God is a God of relationships, and He gave us natural affections and desires for love, companionship and yes....sex.  If you make a vow to serve God, to never marry,  and abstain for sex, to be a Eunuch- then keep that vow.   Matthew 19:12 Jesus addresses this by saying:

“There are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

Some people were born without a desire or urge for sex, others may have been castrated and made to be that by man.  But there are some who do so for the sake of the kingdom of Heaven.  If you choose to accept that, then do it; if you can't, get out.  If you have natural desires that you cannot control, you don't have to uphold a vow to be a eunuch, God said if you CAN.  If you cannot, get married and enjoy your life, serve God in whatever capacity that He anoints you to,  and avoid the temptation to hurt others and the church by your actions.   It is really that simple.  

LESSON FOR ALL OF US

Just to be fair, all of us have had things in our life that we THANK GOD, never came to light.  But if you find yourself in the midst of things that you know will dishonor God and cause the name of Christ to be ridiculed,  and it will hurt innocent people.... it is time to make decisions.  Either we are going to live this thing, or we are not.  Either we are going to help people and do our best to not be a stumbling block, or we are not.  NO one is perfect in this life, but in the midst of all of our imperfections, hurting and damaging people who have no choice in the hurt.... that needs to stop.