I looked down at the tangled mess of yarn in my hands and then back at the written pattern. Again. Somehow, the mass of loops was supposed to become the perfect, ten-point star potholder shown in the instructions. I wasn't quite convinced. My self motivation has always been driven by whether or not the answer to "why?" is enough to justify something as worthwhile, which in this case, the photo of the finished product did. No, my hangup was on the how.
I remember being asked as a kid, "What's the purpose of life?" in that gravity of manner due such a deep, philosophical question. I thought, that's an easy question! and my reply would come without hesitation: "to glorify God." That conviction remains unchanged. The question of why I'm here and what I should be doing has been satisfied; the question now is "how?". I used to think that glorifying God was just singing and music and good works, but lately He's been showing me many ways to fulfill my purpose."Lord, help me to glorify you; I am poor, help me to glorify you by contentment; I am sick, help me to give you honor by patience; I have talents, help me to extol You by spending them for you; I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve you; I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of You and for You. Enable me to glorify you now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have."
~Charles Spurgeon [Morning and Evening p. 92]
Some recent changes in my job forced me to re-evaluate where I was finding that sense of purpose. What I came to realize was that I shouldn't be finding my purpose in my job, my hobbies, my relationships, or my academics, but rather fulfilling my purpose in them. The method can change; the purpose doesn't. Those circumstances change according to God's will, but His purpose for my life - which is sovereign (Prov 16:9), planned, and is always for my good (Rom 8:28)- remains unchanging. "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me." ~ Psalm 138:8
