Life On Purpose
Another birthday has come and gone…usually I don’t think too much about turning a year older. After all, it’s just a number, right? But once in a while it hits me. When I turned 40, I really began to ask myself some hard questions about who I was and what I was doing with my life. I even asked the Facebook world to share three words that came to mind when they thought of me. Did those responses line up with who I wanted to be and what I wanted to be known for? In the weeks and months that followed, I created a mission statement for my life. I’ve grown quite a bit since then, and here I am five years later. This birthday is another one that has hit me hard. Forty-five just seems so….middle-aged. I don’t know why. I mean, what are the chances I will live to be 90? I don’t know. Only the good Lord knows the number of my days. But regardless of how many days I live on this earth, I want them to matter. I don’t want to waste this life graciously granted to me.
Casting Crowns has a popular song right now titled “Only Jesus.” If you’re not familiar with the lyrics, the chorus includes these words: “I don’t want to leave a legacy. I don’t care if they remember me…only Jesus. I’ve only got one life to live. I’ll let every second point to Him…only Jesus.” To be quite honest, I struggle with that first part, because I do want to leave a legacy. I want this world to know that I was here. (God is still chiseling away at my pride.) When people think of me, it is my hope that they picture someone who loves deeply, dares greatly, lives authentically, and exudes vulnerable courage. But ultimately, it is my deepest desire that people see Jesus in me; that every second of my life points to Christ.
As I enter another year of life, again I ponder what I’m doing to attain that goal. I ask God to show me who He is calling me to be and what He is calling me to do. And I ask Him to give me courage to actually follow through on those things. Some people suggest that we live like we are dying. That’s something else to consider: if I knew I was dying, would I continue to live the same way? Or are there things I would do differently? People or passions that I would run harder after? Dreams I would be more compelled to fulfill?
I have to admit that I would make some changes. What about you? Wherever you are in life – 15, 25, 45, 75 – what are you living for? What do you want to be known for? Do your days come and go without any real sense of intentionality or are you living on purpose? I’m learning that God has smaller purposes for me within the greater purpose of my existence, which is to glorify Him. One of my daughter’s favorite quotes is this: “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” What is that for you in this season of life? Is it in line with God’s overall purpose for you? Then by all means, go after it! Feed that fire. Let it be a blaze of glory to Almighty God.
Our roles in His story will change as the seasons of life change, as we grow and our God-given passions change. But whether I live another 45 years or 45 more minutes, in all things, I seek to live on mission. I know that I will never do it perfectly, I’m going to struggle, and stumble, and get distracted and discouraged. So I invite you to join me, to walk with me, to hold me accountable (scary as that is for me to ask). And if you’ll let me, I’d love to do the same for you. Here’s to the beginning of year 46! It is my earnest prayer that I will live in such a way that others will know Jesus better because they have known me.
