I love Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life!” I 100 percent agree that we were all CREATED for a special purpose by God. We really miss out for our entire lives if we don’t seek and find that purpose! His book really helps anyone who desires to do that!
When it comes to golf, we have always asked our kids, “What is your purpose for playing golf?” We ask this question for a number of reasons. One being that we believe the “PURPOSE has to be BIGGER THAN THEM!” We have talked to them countless times about how if their sole purpose and dreams are all about themselves, they may reach those dreams, but at the pinnacle of that reach……it could be very meaningless and EMPTY!
I believe life is all connected and that connection is God driven! Of course, God gives us the free will to chose HIM or reject HIM. Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is a GIFT OF GOD.” I also believe that we were created, we didn’t just happen. Psalms 139:13-14, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made….” I believe there is a HOLY God who created each person (individual DNA). And I believe it takes more unrealistic faith to reject this belief.
This journal is not about arguing or splitting hairs with anyone, but I just DON’T BELIEVE we all “BOOM”, randomly happened or evolved, and, as my young friend, Richard Mounce, wrote on Facebook just weeks ago, believing we just happened is like believing, “an I-Phone 5 just washed up on the beach by itself and evolved!” It had a creator and so do we, God!” And our Creator has a special purpose for each of us.
A great book to read, if you are open and seeking, is the book “The Case for Christ,” written by Les Strobel. Just briefly, he was a very decorated journalist who was an Athiest. He set out to disprove his dad’s belief in God. He took several years of travel, much expense and time to write and prove his dad wrong……end of story. “The Case for Christ” is one of the most powerful books you will ever read. Hebrews 11:6, (ESV) “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” I have many young, brilliant readers who are following my journal, so Mama B’s personal challenge to you is to buy or download the 2 books I have mentioned. Read them and write to me and tell me what you are thinking!! You are smart and, if you are open, Take the Challenge!!! After all……doesn’t everyone like a “Good Challenge?”
With that being said, let’s get back to purpose. We all have a purpose. I think it is harder for those who think we evolved to see that they have a purpose in this life. We all have special gifts, talents and abilities that can be used by an All-Powerful God to do unique things, if we surrender, seek and obey HIM. Let me share a challenge that was presented and taken a year ago.
Over a year ago, there was a challenge given from the pulpit in our church, “Who will stand and proclaim they will live for Christ?” It didn’t take but a few seconds before our middle son, Thomas, stood and publicly proclaimed to a full church congregation that he would live for Christ. Thomas became a Christian as a child but this was a renewal for him. I want to remind you that Thomas is striving, but not perfect. I am joyful he is striving and seeking to obey. Many times I have talked with Thomas about his bigger purpose as it relates to golf.
Recently, on my personal Facebook page, I requested prayer for Thomas. He had really been struggling in golf and had a sore on his thumb and when you are diabetic things just don’t heal fast especially if you hit as many balls ad Thomas does.. There are multiple reasons as to why he was struggling and Satan loves to lie to him, and all of us, and make us “DOUBT!” Doubt is from the enemy, especially if you know God has put a dream in your heart and then followed it by some confirmation. When times are tough, Satan attacks with doubt and discouragement but the Bible says it is God’s refinement to make us mature and complete and more like Christ. Just read all of James chapter 1.
I have hesitated in publicly asking for too much prayer for myself or my family for the prideful reason of wondering what others would think, once again being a people pleaser. Having my eyes on people and their opinions and not God. With that being said, I obeyed God by requesting prayer publicly for Thomas. He needed to feel God’s encouragement. The result for me was peace in obeying God and the result for Thomas was feeling the prayers. He did not “light it up” on the golf course. I will have to say, I don’t believe God is a “Genie in a bottle” that we call on just to have success. But He is a God that wants us to pray so that we can BE all that HE created us to be and, if that brings success, great. But success to me is feeling God’s presence and peace in the storms and in the victories. I was humbled by the response of people praying and showing concern for Thomas. He was encouraged as well and felt the true presence of God “rain down” from the prayers sent up!! God hears every prayer we pray, we just have to always know the answer comes in ways we sometimes do not expect. For Thomas it was peace, encouragement, and growing closer to Christ.
I just want to encourage everyone today, once again, YOU were created by God to do Great things for one or for many, I cannot answer which. But I can say if you will Seek, HIM, YOU will find Him and He will reveal your purpose! Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”