Finding Purpose

As seen in the HEARTbeat and the Village Voice

“Finding Purpose”

            Think back to those high school days when the big question was asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  It sure was a lot easier question to answer when you are four or five years old.  The classics were fireman, astronaut, policeman, doctor, etc.  How many of you followed through on those early answers?  I would venture to say not many of us.

            The same question asked of us in high school carried a lot more seriousness.  It was usually asked by the guidance counselor.  He or she had a purpose to asking the question.  The answer, even vague, would help that individual steer the student toward a career path that interested the student, or possibly to a higher education institution.   Little did I know that certain colleges and universities are known for their specialization in specific career tracks, such as the U of A Fayetteville is known for its engineering degree program and the University of Tennessee Chattanooga is known for its master’s program in Psychology.  Questions about careers are valid.  If we don’t know where we’re going, we certainly will get there, as the old saying says.

            Many times, I’ve been asked to counsel with a son or daughter thinking about joining the military, but they are unsure of the branch.  I always start with the question, “What do you want to be doing when you are 40 years old?”  I normally receive strange looks having asked the teen to look down the road.  I tell them the answer to the question I posed would answer not only which branch they should enter, but also the career field they should choose.  I normally give them the hint there isn’t a lot of demand for a tank driver in the civilian world!

            I guess I should ask you the same question, that is if you are even pondering your impact on the world.  Where do you want to be forty years down the road, or maybe even twenty?  Do you want to have the same impact on people that you do today or do you want to have more of an impact?  In essence, do you think God is satisfied with your job as a priest in His royal priesthood?

            1 Peter 3:9 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  To bring this into modern terms, don’t you know you are a member of God’s preaching team?  You are!  The easy qualifier to this viewpoint is the Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:16-20.  That is the grand scale of our mission, which is change the world for Christ.  But what are you doing on a daily basis?

            What is the cheapest thing you can give away, yet will change someone’s perspective of their day?  That gift is a smile.  It costs you nothing, other than a change in your own viewpoint of your day but has an amplified effect on the receiver of your smile.

            Change someone’s life today by giving them a smile back-lit with the light of Christ in your eyes.  You will drive away darkness, and that smile will be remembered and duplicated!