Did you ever wake up feeling purposeless? I have.
Look around. Do you see your friends’ and co-workers or even your neighbors living passionately, engaged with the community with fulfilling lives? They have rewarding jobs, great relationships, and a sense of direction that compels them to jump start their day with excitement!
After looking at others, I began evaluating myself. Am I living in God’s purpose? I know God has something good in store for me and nothing can happen without God ordering it. As Jeremiah 29:11 states “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you a future and a hope.”
At the age of 17 I had surgery for a raptured appendix and almost died. The surgery involved a 4–6-inch incision on the lower right side of the abdomen. My recovery wasn’t easy. I experienced many negative thoughts that led to depression and eventually I weighed only 80 pounds.
But one day God spoke to me and gave me an important message. At that time, I felt lost and confused. How was I to know the truth? How was I to believe that God was for me when I didn’t have the desires of my heart? But God’s word says in John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you that in ME you will have peace, in the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the world and God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18)
As I look back, I can clearly see how I’ve grown spiritually in God’s grace. Praise God for His unfailing love and compassion to those who love and fear Him. The Hoy Spirit showed me that my feelings and my life experiences will change each day and the word of the Lord will stand forever. God’s character is unchanging through the ages (Isaiah 40:8)
I realized that when we follow Jesus, He will open doors for us and break the chains that prevent us from moving forward towards His great plan for us. I pray the Lord will help us love Him and trust Him with all our hearts and to give us wisdom and direction to follow His plan for us and stop comparing ourselves to others. As time goes by, God will give us a clear vision of His purpose for each of us and with the help of the Holy Spirit everything falls in the right place.
