I have
been in many conversations lately and really been thinking about the topic of gifts,
talents and the question, “Am I fulfilling my purpose?” I keep hearing the same question. What makes your heart beat?
been in many conversations lately and really been thinking about the topic of gifts,
talents and the question, “Am I fulfilling my purpose?” I keep hearing the same question. What makes your heart beat?
I am
currently in a women’s bible study and we are studying the book Restless by
Jennie Allen. It has been a really great tool for exploring what it is we dream
about and running after those dreams.
As a
Christ follower, I obviously want my heart to beat for the things and purposes God
has called me to. I want to feel that racing when it comes to knowing that I am
serving His purposes.
Christ follower, I obviously want my heart to beat for the things and purposes God
has called me to. I want to feel that racing when it comes to knowing that I am
serving His purposes.
But does
it?
it?
What a great question. Take a minute to ask yourself
these questions. What do I get excited about? Where or when do I feel
completely in my element? Is this a time or space that seems to fly by and I
hope I could have more?
these questions. What do I get excited about? Where or when do I feel
completely in my element? Is this a time or space that seems to fly by and I
hope I could have more?
As you read about several biblical characters, that
had really significant roles in the history of the bible, the final words or
what I consider a biblical eulogy end something like this.
had really significant roles in the history of the bible, the final words or
what I consider a biblical eulogy end something like this.
First one is Samuel, the man whom anointed King
David, ministered to the first King of Israel, Saul, and played out God
purposes for his life time and time again. These are the final words about
Samuel.
David, ministered to the first King of Israel, Saul, and played out God
purposes for his life time and time again. These are the final words about
Samuel.
Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and
they buried him at his home in Ramah. 1 Samuel 25:1.
they buried him at his home in Ramah. 1 Samuel 25:1.
When I read over this in my summer study I had to
laugh out loud. We are led through Samuel’s life in the first part of 1 Samuel
and then we get to these three words. Then Samuel died. That’s it. Clearly he
was loved. All of Israel assembled and mourned.
laugh out loud. We are led through Samuel’s life in the first part of 1 Samuel
and then we get to these three words. Then Samuel died. That’s it. Clearly he
was loved. All of Israel assembled and mourned.
The reason I laughed or chuckled was because I pictured
the obituary in the newspaper and here is a picture of old Samuel and next to his worn out face it just says… He died.
the obituary in the newspaper and here is a picture of old Samuel and next to his worn out face it just says… He died.
Now I look at King David’s final times. These are
the kind of words I want to be read or printed about me at my death.
the kind of words I want to be read or printed about me at my death.
For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own
generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption (or decay). Acts
16:36
generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption (or decay). Acts
16:36
He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and
honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king. 1 Chronicles 29:28
honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king. 1 Chronicles 29:28
Life is short. Life is but a breath. At the end of
your breath, what will the history books say? He died. She died. Or will they
say, “She (He) served their purposes in their generation and fell asleep. They
enjoyed a long life with honor and died at a good old age.”
your breath, what will the history books say? He died. She died. Or will they
say, “She (He) served their purposes in their generation and fell asleep. They
enjoyed a long life with honor and died at a good old age.”
I am not saying that you can know that you will live
a long life and die at a good old age. Will anyone, however, be able to say
about you “He (She) served their purpose for God in Her generation and then she
fell asleep.
a long life and die at a good old age. Will anyone, however, be able to say
about you “He (She) served their purpose for God in Her generation and then she
fell asleep.
We all have the same central desire to feel like our
lives have purpose. We all want to feel that in some way we can be significant
or make a difference.
lives have purpose. We all want to feel that in some way we can be significant
or make a difference.
Are you serving God’s purpose in your life?
We were all put here for such a time as this to
serve our generation and make known the Word of God. We are to make known His
redemptive story because it is God’s desire that not one person should
perish.
serve our generation and make known the Word of God. We are to make known His
redemptive story because it is God’s desire that not one person should
perish.
So with a knowledge of the lives of so many greats
that have gone before us. The desire to serve God’s purpose in my generation before
I fall asleep and being a servant of my Lord are some of the things that Make. My. Heart. Beat.
that have gone before us. The desire to serve God’s purpose in my generation before
I fall asleep and being a servant of my Lord are some of the things that Make. My. Heart. Beat.
I do not want waste a moment. I want to follow the desire and
the will of God so that I may set out on the path and the purposes He has for
my life.
the will of God so that I may set out on the path and the purposes He has for
my life.
I want to be teaching His Word on the path He had
placed before me (which seems to include all of you). I want to have a willing obedient heart that travels on Great Commission Road and witnesses to the ends of the earth.
placed before me (which seems to include all of you). I want to have a willing obedient heart that travels on Great Commission Road and witnesses to the ends of the earth.
At the end of my life, I don’t want the words beside
my final picture to be “She died”. I want my eulogy to read she served God’s
purpose in this generation and then at His time He took her home.
my final picture to be “She died”. I want my eulogy to read she served God’s
purpose in this generation and then at His time He took her home.
What about you?
What makes your heart beat?
Do you
know that you have a purpose?
know that you have a purpose?
Do you fulfill the purposes God laid out for you?
Do you even know what your purposes are?
It is a very interesting topic to explore. If you
are left with lots of questions I would encourage to explore your life. Explore
the Word of God. Your Creator has created you for great things. Find out what
those things are and get busy.
are left with lots of questions I would encourage to explore your life. Explore
the Word of God. Your Creator has created you for great things. Find out what
those things are and get busy.
Questions you can email me at youresewtrendy@gmail.com
Awesome post, Jaime! Always a blessing to visit with you, Love! May GOD greatly bless you! 🙂
Thank you Tai for visiting. It is always nice to see friends joining in the conversation and coming back to encourage others. It is much appreciated.
You are most welcome, Love! I pray that you have a great week, beautiful friend! 🙂
Hi, Jaime! Guess what?? You won the giveaway on last week's Playdates with God post! Will you send me your snail and I'll get that package sent out ASAP? You can send it on FB, or to my email: laraj@suddenlink.net. Congratulations and enjoy!
Jaime – loved this post, and I'm gladd I found you through the Literacy Musing Mondays linkup. I believe I'm uncertain of the exact reason I'm here, and what I should do, but a cursory idea that it involves writing and teaching is enough to keep me moving on it. I trust it'll take me to the place I ought to be!
I'm glad you found this post through Literacy Musing Mondays, too, and that you've been joining us lately. God did create each one of us for a purpose. In Ephesians 2:8-10 it says, "For by grace you have been saved, through faith and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God and not as a result of works so that no one may boast." God created us to glorify Him and enjoy Him. He is supremely worthy of our glory so it's the most loving thing He can do. He would not want us to settle for less. The beautiful thing is we can glorify Him through the interests and talents He has given us such as writing. The first step on the road is trusting Christ as our Savior and Lord. I'll join Jaime in praying for you.
Thank you Eli for stopping by. I will pray that you discover God's reason He placed you here at this time in this place and you will be able to serve His purposes. Have a great week.
Hi Jaime, This is my first visit here and I loved what I found! What a blessing! Life is so much more fun when we live it doing what makes our hearts beat! I'm so glad we were friends at #PlaydateswithGod!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori, Thank you so much for the encouraging words. It is such a blessing to be part of the Family of God and be able to share with other believers we may never come in contact with. I am happy that you stopped by and I hope to see you joining in the conversations again.
Jaime, That is a very interesting topic, and one that we have to re-visit many times in our life. What should I be doing for God NOW? Thanks for the reminder. (from #DancewithJesus)
Visiting you from #RaRaLinkup where we are neighbors today. Purpose is big in my heart and spirit these days. An important topic to explore. And the Restless study is one of my favorites. Blessings…
I believe our purposes can change throughout the different seasons of life and so you are right we need to revisit that question. Thank you for stopping by and encouraging us.
nice post
Thank you Denise.
Beautiful piece! I hope to one day hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Praise the Lord Leslie! What a glorious day that will be and to be in the place of honor to be called His good and faithful servant. A song to our ears. Thank you for stopping by and encouraging others.
Beautiful post, Jaime! We should all reflect God's purpose in our lives and live a beautiful legacy behind. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
It does take a lot of listening to that still small voice to move correctly on the path of God's best. It seems sort of like your own thought, but later you realize it was God speaking. I was on my way to a meeting, and a thought came (from the Lord) "Didn't you want to take your coffee mug with you?" Silly I know, but I went back into the house and my phone rang. It was an important call and if I had not obeyed that nudge, I would have missed it. Thank you for sharing your lovely post with us here at Tell me a Story.
My step-father used to say that when he died he wanted the paper to read: Billy died. I recently had an old friend die at 50 from complete organ failure. She had gotten involved with drugs and alcohol when she was young and her life was so much more sad than her death. It is so important to be sure we are serving God's purpose in our lives. We are here for such a short time and in the end our death really means nothing. It's only our lives that count.