Posts
It's been
a while, dear reader...
I've been
hearing a lot of people preach on "Fulfilling
your purpose" in life. I mentioned it a message I ministered
yesterday. I almost left it out of my
sermon because I'm concerned that it is affecting people in a most unintended
way…
One of the
most often quoted scriptures on this subject is Jeremiah 29:11--"I know the plans
I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to bless you and not to harm you, plans to
give you a hope and a future."
We tend to
apply that personally, but if you read it in context, you will notice that God
was speaking to a nation...a wayward nation at that...
Okay,
okay...I apply that scripture to individuals...just like that other preacher
you listen to...but I think it's important to note the Scripture in its correct
context.
I
use Jeremiah 29:11 to encourage others and myself because it
reveals God's character. God has plans. They are good plans. He doesn't set out
to hurt anyone, be it a nation, or an individual. God wants you to have hope.
God is good. God is love.
I almost
didn't include anything about fulfilling one's purpose in my message yesterday
because I sense that people are getting it twisted---wait---I'm pretty sure
that a whole lot of people are getting it twisted...
Here's the
thing...when we hear somebody preach from Jeremiah 29:11, we
think BIG. There's nothing wrong with that. God is a BIG God. He does BIG
things for His kids. He wants His kids to be the CEO's, Sports phenoms, and
Entertainment moguls.
So...if what
we’re doing isn’t something on a grand scale, we assume that we haven’t yet
gotten into God’s plan for our lives!
I have to
admit, when I listen to a message about "fulfilling God's purpose for my
life," I often start to feel... a little...inadequate....
I mean, if
I were fulfilling God's purpose for my life, it would certainly be something
BIG...I should be preaching to THOUSANDS...not hundreds...Right?
I've
observed a whole lot of Christians who wander from church to church, ministry
to ministry, or job-to-job searching for God's purpose. All the while, they are
serving important roles in a wonderful church, with a good pastor, and people
who care about them.
But
somehow they think, "God's plans for me MUST be better than what
I'm doing here!" These folks are filling VITAL roles in
the local church. They are the children's church volunteers, the parking lot
attendants, the audio/sound guys, the praise team members, the bookstore
workers, the ushers/hostesses, the building maintenance team, and the
assistants to the Pastor.
Look... everybody isn't called to be Joyce Meyer
or T D Jakes!
Hey, I've
been tempted myself...to go back to school, get another degree, hire a
promotional agency…because obviously, if I'm doing GOD'S THING IT WILL BIG. IT
WILL BE DIFFERENT. IT WILL BE...HARD! I WILL BECOME FAMOUS...OR AT LEAST
RICH!!!
Not necessarily...
Having a
peaceful, happy home is part of God's purpose for my life.
Raising
Godly children who became pastors and ministers of the Gospel was a part of
God's purpose for my life.
Encouraging
my husband, the Amazing Mr. Brintnall, is a part of God's purpose for my life.
Praying...for
lots and lots of people...lots and lots...yeah...probably YOU...is a part of
God's purpose for my life.
Being a
mentor for young women, moms, and leaders is a part of God's purpose for my
life.
Supporting
pastors...wherever I am...is a part of God's purpose for my life.
OBVIOUSLY...God
isn't finished with me because I'm still here. There's still much that needs to
be done in these last days. I expect to go from glory to glory…but…
Some of us
need to stop searching for our purpose and just walk with God!!!
PRAY
LISTEN
FOLLOW
PEACE
BE KIND
BE GENEROUS
DO
WHATEVER YOUR HANDS FIND TO DO
John Wesley said, "I am not afraid of you
doing too little, but too much. Do a little at a time that you may do the
more."
Little by
little...inch by inch...here a little, there a little...
The
important thing is your walk with the Lord. Let Him lead you...He will get where
He wants you to be!!
I’m going
to fulfill God’s purpose for me today by posting this blog, praying for you,
calling my 93-year-old father, and cooking a healthy dinner for my husband!
Until next
time, dear reader…do a little today…to fulfill God’s purpose for your life…
