Your Big-Picture Direction

Have you ever questioned what your life purpose is? What is it that God put you here for and what does He want to accomplish through you? Or are you simply meandering through your life with little or no vision? As Christians we are told in God’s Word that He has a plan and purpose for each one of His children, yet have you taken the time to discover what that plan and purpose could be?

We also know that God has gifted us each individually and uniquely with specific talents and abilities to use for His kingdom purposes. Have you discovered what they are? Now please don’t say that you don’t have any gifts, talents, or abilities. By stating something as insidious as this you are claiming that God made you inadequate and deficient, and we know that this is NOT true. You may just need to do some soul searching to reflect on your life and the type of person God created you to be. And then pray and diligently seek God’s direction for your life. Something I did that was very helpful to me was I developed a life mission statement. This enabled me to discern what God wanted to accomplish through me in my lifetime. Furthermore, it helped me realize that God did not waste a tear, an experience, or a valuable lesson. He used all of these life experiences, both joyful and sorrowful, to mold me into the person I am today. He has equipped me to reach out to others in a way that brings Him glory. Some questions you can ask yourself in helping you to determine what your life mission may be are:

1. If you were to die tomorrow, what do you want people to remember?
2. What do you feel passionately about? What do you never grow tired of talking about?
3. When you go to a bookstore/library what section do you drift toward?
4. What do people compliment you about? What activities do you excel in?
5. If you could do only one activity all day long for the rest of your life what would it be?
6. Has God laid a special burden or concern for a group or ministry on your heart?

Summarize these thoughts into a few sentences and you are on your way to defining your life mission. Seek God’s guidance and direction in fine tuning it. Then write it down somewhere where you can review it often. When you are more in tune with who you are and how God has gifted you, you will become more aware of opportunities that surround you to join Him in accomplishing your life mission.

Zig Ziglar, a renowned motivational speaker and Christian once asked a poignant question, “Are you a wandering generality or a meaningful specific?” A wandering generality is a person who lacks direction. Often this person is a very busy person indeed. She is the soccer mom, her children’s chauffeur, and she is on several committees. She is running here and there, trying not only to take care of her family, but busy trying to please her friends, her church family, and various other organizations that she is involved in. While these are all wonderful things in and of themselves, they are not wonderful if she is leaving God out of the “big picture” only to win the approval of everyone else. In no time at all she will find herself stressed out and ineffective. Unfortunately by saying “Yes” to everything and everyone else, she often says “No” to God. This woman will never make a lasting mark on her world until she discovers God’s mission for her.

The meaningful specific, on the other hand, is a woman who doesn’t seek to do for God, but who is available to Him so that He can do His work through her. This woman takes the time necessary to develop an intimate relationship with her Maker. She knows Him and seeks after Him with all of her heart. Although she too may be busy, she is not aimlessly living her life. She has a passion, a purpose, a mission. And God is at the center of it. She realizes that God loves her and has equipped her for great things. But she is also willing to surrender her dreams knowing that God’s plan for her life is her ultimate goal. She trusts that God will reveal and equip her to accomplish His kingdom purposes. Her primary joy in life is developing her relationship with Him, fully confident that He will speak and guide her in her day to day life. Therefore, she doesn’t fret or strive. She simply abides.

Sounds so simple, doesn’t it? I truly believe that the greatest pleasure we can give the Lord is our full and undivided love and affection. We are a people who always believe we must be doing something for Him. Why is it so hard for us to just sit quietly at the feet of our Lord and wait for Him? When we step into His plan, we will not grow weary or tired. He will miraculously provide us with the energy and the means to fulfill His purpose.

As we take the time to develop and strengthen our walk with Christ, God will give us the big picture direction for our lives. He doesn’t desire to keep secrets from us, but He does insist on our participation. He won’t do it all for us. Before long He will whisper to the deep places in our souls what we were uniquely created to do. He will lay on our hearts specific burdens for a group of people, a country, or a ministry. We simply cannot bypass the relationship. It takes lots of reflection, prayer, and even feedback from others. Ask God outright for the “big-picture” direction for your future, and ask Him to guide you daily in your choices. Refuse to say “yes” to others’ demands until you have spent time listening to God. He knows you better than you know yourself and if you delight in Him, He will surely give you the desires of your heart. And you will find your Big-Picture direction!

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:3-7

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him he will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

A Letter from Heaven

In this fast-paced society in which we now live, most communications that come our way are in the form of e-mails, text messages, and junk mail. How often do you get a letter from a friend or a loved one? It is a rare but joyous occasion when I go to the mailbox and find a letter amongst the many daily pieces of junk mail. I usually tear open the envelope because I can’t wait to read what personal message is inside just for me. I think most people enjoy receiving personal letters or note cards. They have a way of making us feel “special”, because someone took the time to sit down and handwrite a message to us. Maybe they just miss us, or are thanking us for a kind gesture, or encouraging us through difficult times. Whatever the reason, I’m sure you would agree that a personal handwritten note can truly set one’s heart soaring!

So, I have a simple question for you. If God was the one who sent you a letter, would you read it? Would His letter bring you the same enthusiasm and excitement as a letter from a friend? His letter would be full of encouragement and He would spur you on to be your very best. He would profess his absolute love and devotion to you and even let you know of things to come. This letter would be packed with insight and even give you tips on how to deal with unruly children or a difficult neighbor. Best of all, this letter would be written specifically with You in mind. I’d like to think that everyone would shout “Absolutely” and be very interested in hearing what God had to say.

Now I have another question for you. When was the last time you opened your Bible and spent time reading and meditating on it? Hopefully, you can say with confidence, “Yes, today, in fact!” Can I propose to you that the Bible IS God’s letter to you? It is His love letter directed personally to you; it is His words of affirmation and encouragement concerning you; it is His plans for your prosperous and successful future; and it is even His revelation about what is to come. Now who wouldn’t want to read a letter like that?

Although I’m quite sure many might possibly want to read it, I also believe that many will not take the time to do so. Other things will get in the way. Kids, work, and a busy schedule are sure to be the most common excuses. Now I’m not trying to put you on a “guilt trip”. Believe me, I’ve been there myself. Unfortunately for me, I waited until catastrophe struck my home and then I was desperate to hear from God. Had I taken the time to get to know my Maker sooner, I would have known exactly where to go in my letter for the forgiveness, consolation, healing, and peace I so craved. So, please don’t follow in my footsteps and wait for trials to come before you pursue a relationship with God. Get to know Him now. In His letter, He tells you all about Himself and what He is like. Once you know Him, you can’t help but Love Him. Obeying Him will become easier and His commands will no longer seem burdensome.

So next time you look at that dusty bookshelf with a myriad of choices, remember God’s letter nestled in between all those other books. He is waiting for you to open it and attentively read it. It surpasses any book of romance, mystery, intrigue, or suspense. In addition, it will supply just what you need for today. Whether that comes in the form of encouragement, or the resolution to a problem you’ve been facing, or to a feeling of love and acceptance filtering deep down into your soul, His letter has the power to transform your very life. How do I know this? I know because it has changed mine. I’m living proof. His letter is never boring, and the more I read it, the more addicted I become to it. Even though I may read the same chapter today that I read last year, it will speak to me in a fresh way concerning my situation today. It is replete with love, wisdom, guidance, and encouragement. More than anything, God’s letter to me has given me Hope. Hope for a brighter today and Hope for an eternity in heaven with Jesus. I know it will do the same for you.

So what are you waiting for? It’s your love letter from God and He is waiting for you to read it. The wisdom He imparts to you through His written Word will bless you in unimaginable ways. Go ahead, open it. You won’t regret it. I promise.

For the word of God is active and living, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates to dividing the soul and the spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb 4:12

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

A Heart of Love

The cold, snowy days have finally ushered in the month of February. The highlight of this chilly winter month is probably Valentine’s Day, symbolizing a day of love. Nothing warms the heart like red roses and chocolate hearts freely given to our loved ones as tokens of our love and appreciation. Being the chocolate lover that I am, it would be quite natural for my favorite gift to be some form of chocolate. But not just any kind—I prefer the dark, bittersweet variety over the creamy, milky kind. Could it be that I am justifying my habitual cravings by insisting that the darker variety has more cocoa, and is therefore much healthier?

Just as my favorite chocolate is bittersweet, February has always represented a “bittersweet” month for me. Several birthdays are celebrated this month including my husband’s, my sister’s, as well as my own birthday. Yet, nestled in all these “happy birthdays” are some very sad days too as they represent the anniversary dates of loved ones who have passed away. Most significantly for me, my very own son.

Though it has been many years, 19 to be exact, since I last saw his beautiful face, sometimes it feels like just yesterday. Other times, it seems like it has been an eternity. How does one make it through such sorrow you might ask? Being the seasoned mourner that I am, I can honestly tell you that contrary to popular belief, “time is not what heals the wounds.” JESUS is. I can ditto the emotions of a Christian song’s lyrics, “Heal the wound, but leave the scar. A reminder of how merciful you are.” For Jesus was merciful to me. He forgave me my sins and wooed me to Himself for He was fully aware of how much help I needed. He alone understood the internal anguish I was in and He knew that He alone could satisfy the deepest longings in my heart.

Jesus unequivocally and solitarily is the One who gave me a reason to live again, this time with Him in the center of my life. He is the One who filled my broken heart with joy, and gave me beauty for ashes. Before you think I was a super Christian who had it all together, I must inform you that I was not! I was as carnal a Christian as they come. Hedonistic you might even add. Worldy pleasures, selfishness…you get the picture? Has my grieving been easy? Absolutely not. Have I cried out in pain? Have I questioned why? Have I begged Him for help? Most definitely, yes.

In the deepest, darkest pit, Jesus heard my faint voice. He reached down to lift me out of the mire, out of the pit of destruction. For He had plans for my life. Plans I knew nothing about at the time. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11.

All that my mind could conceive was how to make it through yet one more day. There was no foresight or thought for my future. However, Jesus sees it all—the beginning and the end. He would not waste a single tear. And He won’t waste yours either. Can I encourage you to turn to the One who understands every little pain, every sorrow, every hurt? No only does he care about the most minuscule concern you may have, He can also handle the biggest obstacle you have ever faced. He wants to journey with you through it all.

So this Valentine’s Day as I reflect on my loved ones, my thoughts wander to my first-born, the son of my youth, my little angel in heaven. I thank God for his life, as brief as it was. For through his death, Jesus taught me about life and love. I’ve learned that Love is the most wonderful gift we can give one another. So, let’s not wait for Valentine’s Day. Let us love one another passionately everyday. Not just the people closest to us, but also the ones we find hard to get along with. And let us not forget about the stranger. He may need a friendly smile to warm his weary or broken heart. And Jesus may just want to extend His love to him through You!

Happy Valentine’s Day Derrick. Happy Valentine’s Day Jesus.

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!” Psalm 116:3-4

A new command I give you: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35