How to Mess Up Your Life Purpose

The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand. Psalm 121:5 (NIV)

Time after time I tried to find the perfect job. I dreamed about a position in Corporate America that would be the most beneficial to me and my family. Dreams of success and promotions skirted in and out of my mind. I hungered for the accolades of acceptance the world so readily lavishes on those who climb the ladder of success.

What I got instead was door after door slammed in my face.

Failure and rejections can cause us to question our faith. Was I praying hard enough? Had I accepted a position without waiting for a “yes” from God? Was I good enough to deserve success?

It wasn’t my faith in God that failed me, it was my faith in people that caused the pain of broken dreams.

In hindsight, I can see I was walking on a two-lane path. One path led to a paycheck I could deposit in the bank and the other to a ministry that allowed me to store up treasures in heaven. We mess up our life purpose by storing up treasures here on earth.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6: 19-21 (NIV)

God knows what is best for us and nothing happens in our lives without His knowledge.

Fail Forward

Had I gave up when the doors where slammed in my face, or if I had failed to go to God with my disappointments, I would be wasting an opportunity to flesh out my life purpose.

He sees our disappointment when things don’t go as we envisioned them. But if we would lift our eyes up to Him, we would see His hand moving with eternal purposes and we would understand.

God has been faithful for over 30 years to provide a paycheck that covers all our expenses. He has also faithfully allowed me to use my gifts, talents, and passion to serve Him in ministry for the past 30 years.

I have been a Sunday School teacher and a small group leader. I have served on the Woman’s Ministry team and coached other leaders in my church. Now God has birthed a new ministry with my writing.

There is no doubt in my mind which of these two lanes brings me the most joy. The deep sense of purpose I have in ministry has blessed me more than any paycheck ever will.

God has used my time in Corporate America to build up in me perseverance that serves me well in ministry.

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4:14(NIV)

God has created us to dream big, to serve a great purpose. The Lord will lift you high above any circumstances that come against His purpose for your life.

The only one who can mess up God’s beautiful work in and through your life is you. So instead of controlling every step you take and decision you make, give your plans over to the Lord and let Him finish the work He started in you. Let Him use your mess for His purpose.

So for now, trust God in your disappointments and let Him turn your pain into perseverance. Wait on the Lord, don’t give up!

God is never late and He is never wrong!

Dream big my friends, trust in the Lord of all creation to finish the work He has begun in you. What is the one thing you look back on and see the biggest blessing in? How has God surprised you in His provision?

Heavenly Father, God of all creation, maker of heaven and earth, how small we feel in your presence. Thank you for your never-ending work on our behalf. Forgive us as we sometimes try to step in and take over. Help us to see that we have indeed been created for such a time as this and that your plan was perfect from the beginning. We have faith in your plans for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

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