A life without purpose is a languid, drifting thing; Every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves: This day let me make a sound beginning, for what we have hitherto done is naught!- -- Thomas A. Kempis
When I read the above quote, I was immediately challenged to pursue purpose and reminded that I cannot be comfortable with past accomplishments. Have you ever known someone who set out to achieve a certain goal and after reaching it, they lost interest in maintaining the achievement? I know people who have reached the "top" and then did not strive to reach for more. Jane, the lady who I consider to be one of the greatest influences in my life, has three sons who are all successful in their individual ways. One of her sons, has performed so many different jobs and followed so many dreams it would take pages (literally) to list them all. Yet, at pushing 60 years old, he continues to seek knowledge and chase more dreams. If I need information on any subject, I can talk to him and it is like having a live Internet search engine. He does not live on yesterday, but works hard today and pushes for a better tomorrow. Yesterday's achievements have passed and I must now push forward.
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We cannot stand still...true of a life, true of a church!
ReplyDeleteThis post has made me think of the accomplishments of my past and search my soul as to what I am doing for the Lord today. There are more challenges to step up to and more goals achieve. All I can say is here I am Lord. Use me, I am willing to do whatever it is that you want me to do.
ReplyDeleteThis is very good, Sis. Jana. We must press toward the mark and keep looking forward. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this reminder that we can't be satisfied just to live with yesterday's accomplishment. We must set new goals and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Lord, help me to do just that!
ReplyDeleteThis was encouraging! Especially after lazing about all summer...well, not really. I've been working hard, but sometimes even when working hard I lose sight of what I'm trying to achieve. I get so buried in what I'm immediately doing to achieve the Goal, that I get lost in the details and lose sight of the big picture...
ReplyDeleteAnyway! Great post! And I'm really sorry about your house! Good luck with all of that, and my prayers are with you guys!
Mark - so true. Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteJolene, Tena, Carol, and Janelle - thanks for your comments and kind words.
Jolene, it is true we must be willing before we can pursue purpose.
Tena and Carol - it is easy for us to relax because we have given so much throughout the years, but we must keep pressing forward because our work is never done.
Janell - you are such a doll! I am glad I was able to encourage you. It is easy to get caught up in the minute details if you are drawn to perfection. I know that has been a fault of mine and I have had to realize that I must delegate and be willing to allow others to help me to get the entire job - big picture - completed.
I think that purpose and meaning, or the lack of it in my life, is what drew me to God. I did not have a bad life, but I was empty inside and looking for meaning and purpose to my life. I found that in Jesus, and I'm so grateful. But as the apostle Paul said, we must "press" towards the mark. Without a vision the people perish. And when we reach that goal, we must still press on to other goals and purposes that God has for us. Thanks for a thought-provoking message.
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