(a 3 minute read) Randy and Melanie are high school sweet hearts in their senior year. One evening when they were hanging out and it was exceptionally quiet between them, Melanie asked Randy if something’s the matter. Randy tilted his head, looked her square in the eye and said “Do you ever wonder what is your purpose in life?”  Melanie’s head jerked slightly back, not anticipating this.

So here’s how I understand it, Melanie commenced to share. Sebastian wants to make his father proud. His father owns a company and Sebastian starts working there. Sebastian believes that his father is grooming him for bigger positions. When things get pretty boring, Sebastian reminds himself that he needs to learn from the bottom up as his purpose is to someday become the CEO of this company.

10 years into his tenure, his dad sells the company. Sebastian is astonished, “Did I have it wrong? Why did dad sell his company that is doing so very well?” In the midst of these thoughts, his dad tells him that he’s starting a not for profit organization assisting with community needs. Sebastian’s heart leaps in his chest and is filled with joy. “Dad has been grooming me to properly manage this prolific work. This is what my purpose is.” Sebastian joins his dad.

7 years later, serving a multitude of people and is thriving with volunteers and donors, dad decides to step away and donates the organization to another not for profit organization.

Sebastian is at a loss. Could he have had his purpose in life wrong twice? He is now in his forties and feels purposeless. His father announces that he will now seek to start an orphanage. Sebastian thought to himself, “Wow, every time I doubt, my dad comes up with something even more worthy.” He goes to his dad and asks if he could join him in his efforts for the orphanage, and dad was thrilled and jubilant.

Sebastian interjects this jubilation and asks, “Dad, I do not want to get my hopes up for the third time in my life. I thought your purpose for me was to be CEO of your company, and I was disappointed. Then I thought your purpose for me was to become the director of the not for profit, and I was crushed. So is your purpose for me to someday take over running the orphanage?”

Dad had a loving smile on his face, took a step closer to Sebastian, gently held is head and gazed into his eyes and said, “Son, you choosing to journey with me fills me with joy indescribable. Know that I love you, proud of you and with you in whatever it is you choose to do. So please do not let your search for your purpose define your life, rather let your life be the evidence of your purpose.”

 

Some call it purpose and some refer to it as calling. God is journeying along your and my side regardless of what it is we choose to do. Spend your time to dwell and commune with Him through your journey, rather than spending your time wondering, doubting or searching for that purpose. Till next time 🙂