Living on Purpose

“The glory of God is man fully alive.” Irenaeus


Sometimes I would describe myself as a bystander waving at the passing floats in the Macy’s Day parade.

So often I resist the divine invitation to fully engage in life by pursuing the passions and dreams God has so strategically placed in my heart. I will choose to go through the motions, play it safe, put up defense mechanisms in an attempt to keep disappointment at arms length so my heart and dignity stay seemingly in tact. I don’t want to put myself out there; I don’t want to look like a fool.

God knows these self erecting protective walls of pride isolate my heart from His holy passions and dreams for me. He is patient as He continually woos me, encourages me, invites me to pursue them. I sense the Holy Spirit’s whisper, Choose to live life on purpose.

I want to accept, but sometimes I get immobilized and the wrestling match between fear and faith begins, jockeying for a rightful place in my heart.

My fear wants to hold me hostage with the looming question, What if I fail?  

My mustard seed of faith speaks back, How can I really fail if I’m held in the safety net of His grace? Scripture says “your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).


Maybe, my failure is failure to try, failure to trust, failure to obey. And the astounding part of this is the readiness of God to freely speak life giving words of direction into this tangled conflict of fear and insecurity.

Have you ever struggled here? Maybe, you’ve asked the same questions in the unique language of your own heart.

Deeply tucked in our hearts are God driven dreams and passions. Sister, we need to listen to their promptings—their cries. Our unique callings are wrapped up in these passions and dreams. They energize, invigorate, and draw us closer to the heart of God. They are expressions—reflections—of His glory, and they are meant to draw us and others to Him.

So often I dismiss them and put them off because I feel unworthy, ill-equipped, or inadequate. Pursuing a gift in the middle of the myriad of life’s responsibilities seems like a luxury. Creating space in an already complicated schedule ties me in knots of frustration.


Procrastination drains me, robbing my life of joy.

I am called to take my gifts seriously, to steward them well. And so are you, my precious sister. This pursuit matters at every juncture of our lives. Our gifts, passions, and dreams are relevant in every season.

Nurturing them honors the Giver.

I am learning to lay down performance, to trust God for His direction, and to leave the results in His capable hands.

How about you? Will you accept His invitation to pursue your passions, dreams, and gifts  and  bravely live out your divine calling?

Take a risk. Trust Him. Live life on purpose.

Prayer:
Abba, thank you for your invitation to be part of the bigger picture. Help us to embrace all that you have for us, which makes life meaningful and purposeful. You made us to know that we matter and that our lives have greater meaning, more than we can fully comprehend. Help us to live life on purpose. Amen.

Scripture of the Day:

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (1Peter 4:10)


Author:  Maryanne Abbate

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