I don't understand the grand scheme of things.
Neither does any of us, which is some comfort.
The greater design, the complexity of Providence, is far beyond any human being's vision. And that's a good thing. I don't want to know the future or be able to comprehend exactly where we're all headed, as a society, as a world. My head is filled already with the limited number of things I'm supposed to understand, so I'll gladly leave the rest of it to God.
My piece of the design is very small, barely even a blip in the history of the human race.
It's tiny, but it's there, just like your tiny blip and the tiny blip of every other human soul.
So, if I feel silly or ashamed or disappointed because something goes wrong, or just doesn't go the way I expected, I try to pull back, contemplate the great design, and acknowledge my smallness. I also acknowledge the fact that I don't know my purpose here. I can take my best guess, and try to serve in the way that seems appropriate, but the deeds that appear most important to me may actually be completely insignificant.
Writers may be tempted to assume their writing is the most important service they will ever perform for others.
It may be. It may not be. We can all see, now, that the writing of C.S. Lewis was his life's purpose, his contribution to the great plan. But a C.S. Lewis is rare, and most of us writers know very well that we're not on that level!
It may be that my purpose is raising my daughter to fulfill her own purpose. Or, I may unwittingly accomplish my life's chief mission in some random five-minute encounter with a stranger that will slip out of my memory in a day or two.
I hope that in heaven, we'll get to see movies (or dreams, or something along those lines) about all the purposes that were fulfilled that we never understood while we were here. I look forward to that enlarged vision in which I will see all the beauty and staggering intricacy of the great design.
Do you think you have a pretty good hunch about what might be your earthly purpose, or do you see it a different way?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
17 comments:
My stand in life is that everyone experiences joy and freedom in the creation of their true selves.
My purpose, as a believer in Christ, is to honor God and to make disciples as I go through life.
Just how that happens I do not know--God has that worked out. But Jesus last words to his disciples were these.
Matthew 28:18-20 says, "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
I believe that when we prepare to leave this world our last words will be the ones closest to our hearts. I think Jesus may have felt the same.
'Writers may be tempted to assume their writing is the most important service they will ever perform for others.
It may be. It may not be. We can all see, now, that the writing of C.S. Lewis was his life's purpose, his contribution to the great plan. But a C.S. Lewis is rare, and most of us writers know very well that we're not on that level!'
...
Wow, what a thought-provoking post. I was just talking to a friend about this recently. It's easy for writers to think, "If I could just get this book published, then I can make a difference." But I've realized that my gift of words can impact others right now, like sending an encouraging email to a friend. So to answer your question, I don't know what my overarching purpose is...I need to just do what God asks me to do each and every day. And then I have to trust He'll use it however He wants. :)
Such a great reminder, Rosslyn. and I would love that too - if we could watch those in heaven. But it makes me wonder how many opportunities I miss out on because I'm too busy or selfish or lazy....
Anyway - funny you talk about being tiny blips because I just wrote a blog post (haven't published it yet) yesterday that I titled. "A Tiny Blip" Our minds are on the same page.
I'm to encourage others. I know that.
And yes, I want those dreams in heaven.
Sometimes I wonder if a single sentence or a pat on the back is the heart of why I'm here. Those simple things end up defining us more than we think.
~ Wendy
Great post! Good stuff to ponder~ and yes, as a writer we each fall into thinking that our words are the greatest:)) Makes me think of the words which are from Ephesians 2:10~
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do."
In my work, I deal with people who are hurting. I'm a listener. I know I'm put there for a reason, and I don't question it. Somedays I truly understand it and thank God for putting me in place and giving me the wisdom to help.
As for my writing, the same.
Great post.
Rosslyn, this is really profound and wonderful food for thought. I can't even begin to guess as to what I'm here to do. I know that certain things have been fulfilled, but since I'm still here, God must still believe that there is more to do. All we can really do is try to stay close to Him, to follow His will the best we can, and to put ourselves in a place where we can be the face of Christ to others. Though I know writing is part of my life's story as designed by God, I'm fairly certain that's not all there is to it, and that it will be more in the people I meet whom I touch, and those who touch me, that will make the true difference.
Rosslyn, I'm so struck by your post as I have been thinking the very same things lately. Mostly about how small I am and how BIG God is and the fact that when I think I have something figured out, be it publishing or otherwise, I don't. The Lord has really been impressing on me that life is mostly about relationships. Ours with Him and ours with others.
Thanks for being so thoughtful:)
Can't say that I have figured out my purpose, but I think I'm finally on the right track. After two college degrees that are completely unrelated, I am finding more peace in being a stay-at-home mom and developing my writing talents.
The older I have gotten the more I have come to realize my purpose is not as big as I had imagined. And I am more than okay with that. I know that God has placed me right where I need to be. My focus is on taking life a day at a time and trusting God to lead me to whatever purpose He designs.
First and foremost I am a Christian wife and mother.
Pulling back to contemplate the great design is so important in our journeys of faith. What a thought-provoking reminder for me after reading your words this morning, Rosslyn. I've found that the deeper I go into studying Scripture (this includes studying the big picture as well as the little details), the less I know about what I thought I knew. (Confusing right?) It seems each time I thought I was certain about something, God knocked that 'something' down and showed me otherwise! He works in mysterious ways, that Father of ours. ;-)
As far as knowing my earthly purpose, I believe it is to continue to evolve in love. Anything that moves me towards love and connectedness with other people feels like whispers from God, saying, "this is exactly where you're supposed to be."
I enjoyed reading your blog today. It was very insightful. As a Christian, I agree that we all have a purpose, but we don't always know what that purpose might be. If we listen closely to what God is telling us, then he will guide us down the path to fulfill his purpose for our lives.
Mark - Good to hear from you! Hope you're having a great time on your travels.
Bonnie - good point. I like the way you highlight the distinction between *our* sense of purpose, which you articulate very well, and God's purpose or our place in the grand plan. The two things are a little different, but can be harmonious even though we know the former and don't always know the latter.
Suze - I love the flowers. :-)
Sarah - Agreed! We just have to keep doing what is most beneficial to others at any given moment and leave the larger picture to reveal itself in time.
Katie - Love being tiny blips together! I look forward to your post.
Wendy - True. And sometimes I find myself torn about the demands of a profession like writing that reduces my time to serve my neighbors because of its need for solitary work time.
OurCrazyFarm - Perfect scripture! Thanks for offering it.
Loree - Your listening is one of the greatest services a person can do for another.
Roxane - I also think that about people I meet. That's why I have these ambivalent days when I wonder what I'm doing staying locked up in my room half the time! :-)
Laura - I know what you mean. It can be frustrating and humbling to find out again and again that I'm wrong, but humbling is a good thing. :-)
TC - What you say is the secret of finding a great deal of peace, I think!
Barb - Thanks for this lovely thought--I'm going to keep it in my head today. In my case, sometimes God can whisper, but other times he has to pound me on the head. LOL!
Kimberly - You put that so concisely! Thanks for coming by and contributing. It's good to wee you here. :-)
Oops. "see!" LOL!
My first visit to your blog ... and it's such a "Whoa! Let me think about that for a moment" post.
There are so many ways to attack that question: What is my purpose? (And have I accomplished it?
I used to think about writing the great American novel. Now, if people can say "She loved her husband and her children" I will be satisfied with my life.
And, if I continually draw one step closer to God--and help others do the same--that too is a worthwhile way to live.
What a great post. I believe God has called me to be a Barnabas by encouraging others. But there are so many other puzzle pieces. I'm beginning to see the picture.
Mel
Post a Comment