SubscribeLiving faithfully with purpose
The subject of purpose has hovered at the forefront of my mind recently. A couple of weeks ago I stopped in a Christian bookstore to see what books where available especially for women on the topic. As one of the leaders of the women’s ministry at the church I attend, I am suppose to be helping to reinvigorate our women’s ministry and to prepare for our retreat in October. Part of what we will be exploring in the months ahead is our purposes in God’s kingdom.
Over the years, I have gotten energized and focused about living with intentionality from my exploration of books such as the popular, “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren and, as I mentioned in an earlier blog, “I will not die an unlived life,” by Dawna Markova.
However, it was probably the four-series MasterLife Bible studies, followed by the study, “Knowing and Doing the Will of God” by Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King, that I undertook at our then-fledging church nearly 13 years ago that provided a foundation for my own definition of purpose. I see my overarching reason for being as “serving God and edifying people.”
It is in the carrying out of that purpose that I am now having some questions. I am involved in many good efforts through my church, my volunteering with the local Baptist convention, the College of Prayer, this blog, my family and some friends. Lately though, I’ve found myself praying after awaking, “Lord I want to be useful to you today,” and then sometime afterwards asking “Lord, am I accomplishing your purpose for my life with all this stuff….what is my larger purpose?”
Then while reading the book I purchased recently for my women’s ministry work, “Pathway to Purpose for Women” by Katie Brazelton, I found a passage or two that put my questioning on pause. Brazelton, whose own life narrative provides a powerful testimony, writes that there is a strong connection between “going today where you have been sent today—no matter how difficult, incomprehensible, or unrewarding it may be—and a future, take-your-breath away assignment from God.”
She goes on to say:
“God has chosen a series of specific, daily tasks for each of us, and we accomplish those through our roles in our family, church, vocation, and community. He also asks us to handle the tasks-at-hand in our personal life (including our mental physical, emotional and spiritual well-being). Although we may not see the value in these common requirements, God is committed to using them to accomplish his purposes. So we must learn to trust Him as the Sovereign Lord of our “today.” Instead of asking, “what remarkable task do I want to tackle for God,” a better question is, “What does God want me to be and do in my routine world today?”
So today I’m taking one step at a time and fulfilling my purpose by doing today the work before me. I also am keeping my heart and mind open for God to bring forth in my life what He desires to accomplish for His greater glory.
Have you read or studied any good books on purpose written specifically for women?
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