Living with Purpose
Written by: Dave DeRose
It is an inevitable reality. It
happens to everyone. All that we can hope for is that it is beautiful,
meaningful, and leaves an impression on those who knew us. We don’t get
to choose how or when it happens therefore we must believe it can happen at any time and embrace
it. Own it. In doing so, we embrace a more vibrant perspective of our
lives.
If you haven't figured it out, the reality I speak of is death.
In order to appreciate life, we must first accept the transitory nature of our lives. Our lives do end. This must be a constant thought in our minds if we are going to appreciate each moment.
We tend act in a way where we do not
take full advantage of our special moments on this earth. We exhibit this
through our actions: most importantly, however, through the lack of action. We observe
rather than participate. We have dreams but don’t act. We choose things
that numb us from life instead of confronting, engaging, and living life. Avoiding
conflict in fear. Diverting from resistance for convenience. Not facing our issues
because we don’t want to revisit painful emotions. These realities make for a
life that resembles a flower growing in a glass jar. The roots, stem, and
petals press against the glass wanting to grow beyond the limits of the
confined space. After time, parts of the plant begin to die. The flower loses
the ability to expand its roots, and those excess roots begin to strangle what
remains.
“Watch therefore, you
know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:13, ESV
Breaking through this glass barrier of self-doubt is a painful and scary leap of faith. There is no way to know for sure what
will happen. Maintaining a healthy mindset that will help us through tough times,
times of transition, and times of necessary personal growth. We need to think
of ourselves as already dying - the terminal illness of life, mortality rate 100%. Embracing and reflecting on this as our reality, daily, will alter the way we live. We
must view every day, every interaction with someone new or old (no matter how
different from us), every book we read, and every opportunity as a gift from
God. He holds our lives in His hands. If
we feel inspired to do something, let us be resolved to do it, not talk
ourselves out of it. We must cherish our experiences, both the failures and
successes, as lessons from God.
“For it [the kingdom
of heaven] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and
entrusted them with his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two,
to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.” Matthew 25:14–15,
ESV
He wants to make something outstanding out of
everyone’s life. God manifests His will for our lives in our talents,
abilities, and inspirations. When we sense out of nowhere a desire to do
something, it is God speaking to us. Being faithful, knowing that life and
death lie with Him, and pursuing what we have been inspired to do is how we can
walk with God and truly experience life. Every moment is fleeting. Youth, strength,
abilities all fade, but what we do with them never will. There will be a time when
we will be asked what we did with what God gave us, and the result of this
conversation was made clear in scripture.
“Now after a long time the master of those servant came and
settled accounts with them. And he who had five talents came forward, bringing
more saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five
more.’ Hiss master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have
been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of
your master.’ . . . . He who had received the one talent came forward, saying,
‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and
gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and wen and hid your
talent in the ground. Here you go have what is yours.’ But this his master
answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I
have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have
invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received
what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to the
man with ten talents. For everyone who has will more be given, and he will have
an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken
away. And cast the worthless servant
into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.’ ” Matthew 25: 19-30 ESV
God blesses us with talents. It
honors Him when we use them. When we do, He blesses us with more. It takes faith to use our talents and follow
our instincts. It can be frightening, risky, and against the grain of society. Strength for those emotions come with the realization that
God controls our hours and minutes, our time is as unknown to us as it is priceless. This is not meant to be a scare tactic. In understanding our
fragility, we gain an appreciation for what we do have. It makes our moments on
earth precious. Because our strengths and talents fade, we are forced to use them
to their full potential each time an opportunity presents itself. Only in
performing them can we experience the life God wants for us.
The key to all of this is choice. We have the choice either to do or not to do. To have faith or not. Taking risks and using the gifts God has given will lead a vibrant and enriching life that will glorify and honor Him.
So why should we do that has been lurking in the back of our minds like a tailgating vehicle today? Because we know not the hour or the time God will come
for us. We must live with urgency and intention. We need to make the most of
the time we are blessed with. There will be no regrets to the life fully lived.
And, when it comes to an end, and we have exhausted everything God has put into
our tank of talents, we will be welcomed into the joy of our Lord. And those
whom we have impacted will rejoice in all that our lives have given to theirs,
and our lives will be examples for them to do the same.
