Living With Purpose: Week 8

Sometimes we wait for the circumstances to be perfect before we take a leap of faith. I’m not a good waiter. I like things to happen fast. Once I get my mind made up, I like to make an action plan and leap with all my might.

Sometimes it’s good. It means I act in faith and let God work out the details as I go.

Other times, it’s complete foolishness. I jump ahead of God and get into deep water that I cannot navigate on my own, and then I wonder why I feel like I’m drowning.

I know God is in control, but sometimes I like to try to take matters into my own hands. Any other control freaks out there?

I don’t like to admit that I’m a control freak, but I do like the toilet paper roll hanging the correct way. And if it’s wrong, I fix it.

I also like to drink coffee first thing in the morning before I hear anyone’s voice speak to me. It’s not that I don’t love my people, it’s just, I like control.

I like to know where my children are, who they are with, what they are doing, and that they are safe.

I would love to have a five-year plan and know what the future holds, but God seems to only give me one day at a time. It’s like he expects me to trust completely (wink).

I’m sure you can relate in some way. Consider your own list of things you prefer a certain way. Think about the things you wish God would write in the sky for you. When that thing gets out of your control, there is only one way to deal – panic or trust. But if we’re honest, panic is real and we all have our moments. It’s that fast pace walking or that trembling feeling inside that won’t go away. Maybe it’s a gut wrenching desire for something more, something tangible. It’s that deep anguish for answers and explanations.

I don’t always panic on the outside, but inside I can let the unknowns unearth deep seeded doubt that bothers me until I can’t sleep at night.

Have you ever been there? You toss and turn and wonder how things will work out?

Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand. Proverbs 19:21

How do we live with purpose when we don’t know whether to take the leap or sit tight a little longer?

 

1. Be still.

As I sat in church with my family last week, I told my youngest to “Be still” a few times. As I got frustrated thinking, “He knows better.” God touched my heart and said, “So do you.” I do know better, yet I often get antsy wondering what is going to happen next. So I wiggle my way into a comfortable place where I feel like I have control. God is constantly reminding me, that He controls my life, not me. So for now, I just need to “Be still.”

2. Be satisfied.

Contentment. It really comes down to this. Am I content with God? I’m learning life is not about the stuff we hold or the possessions we collect. Those things are just a distraction from the main thing. When I learn to be content with God and Him alone, I learn to be satisfied in whatever stage of life I am in. There may be storms or struggles or strife, but with God, all of it is bearable.

When we begin to see the blessings amidst the burdens of life, we begin to learn the truth about contentment.

Contentment isn’t something we grow into or eventually accomplish, it’s a choice we choose to make. When we choose God’s presence over the pleasures of this world, we experience the peace of contentment.

3. Be surrendered.

Here we go again. Surrender. It’s where God keeps pointing me as I learn about living with purpose. Without it, we will constantly struggle. Surrender of my life means I give it all over to God’s complete control. It means I stop stressing, and salvaging the things I think I want.

Surrender is satisfaction in action.

Do you long to live with purpose and see God work mightily in your life? There is a way and it’s so simple:

Be still.
Be satisfied.
Be surrendered.

When we choose this way, this road, this path, and this life, we choose God’s Word, God’s reason, God’s peace, and God’s love. And it truly is magnificent. It’s contentment.

Contentment is critical to living a life of purpose. Perfection is a prison for people who only dream of doing something someday.

Let’s live with purpose this week!

Don’t wait and don’t rush, do life at God’s pace.

Love & Blessings,

Micah

This post is a part of a series! Check out the other posts:

Week 1 – Silent Seasons
Week 2 – Season of Blessings
Week 3 – Seasons to Stop
Week 4 – Seasons of Uncertainty
Week 5 – Seasons When You Feel Shattered
Week 6 – Seasons When You Feel Inadequate
Week 7 – Seasons When You Feel Lonely

Here is where I am sharing this post this week.