Day One: It All Starts with God

Aside from the Bible, one of the most influential books in my Christian walk has been The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.  I was introduced to this book by a Christian friend at a critical point in my faith.  I had been a Christian for many years, however, looking back I was not a very mature one. 

I would have continued down the path of Christian immaturity had God not orchestrated some heavy hitting changes in my life.  At the age of 32, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.  I've got to say that certainly got my attention.  I began reflecting over my life.  I realized that I had been selfishly living for myself when it came right down to it.  God really began speaking to my heart, showing me the things in my life that I needed to change.  After I began to totally yield to Him, spiritual change began taking root.  My newfound faith began to bloom and grow, prompting even more life change.  I realized life was too short to not live for Him.  I took an inventory of my life and realized that God was leading me in a totally different direction than I had been going.  I had been following the career path...a path that took up much of my time, leading me away from Him, my family, and church.  But once diagnosed with cancer, I was ready for Him to lead.  He led me away from a well paying computer programming job and into teaching high school math - and I LOVE IT!  He led our family away from our church of ten years, where my husband had grown up in, to a new church.  There was nothing wrong with our old church, but it was in our new church that both my family and I learned to serve selflessly, growing more in our faith than ever before in our lives.  And it was in our new church that God called me into children's ministry for a time - something I certainly never dreamed I had a gift for nor thought that I could ever do. 

It was in this season that I picked up The Purpose Driven Life.  God revealed just how selfish I had been living...and that was not His purpose for me.  I was created by God's purpose and for God's purpose.  I was made for God.  I was starting at the wrong place to find purpose - looking at myself  instead of looking to my Creator.  Misdirected attention on ourselves blinds us to our REAL purpose...our divine purpose in Christ!

I am once again at the crossroads of change in my life.  My children are growing up and out of the house.  Our parents are getting older and my father-in-law is suffering from Alzheimers.  My Dad has health and other issues that he refuses to address.  And tied into all of this, unexpected financial circumstances have demanded much attention (and concern) in this past year - though God has answered and is still answering prayers over this area in a BIG way.  (I am at peace about it all!)

Once again, God has captured my attention through the changes in my life.  I've realized that I've allowed circumstances to consume my attention, redirecting my focus from 'He' back to 'me.'  I've realized that at times I've not handled things as one who fully trusts in the Lord - returning time and again to the 'Egypts' of my life instead of stepping out in faith.  Thankfully, God knows this weakling's heart -  loves me anyway, forgives, and forgets.   

I wouldn't say that I've been adrift in the faith, simply beat and banged up quite a bit. So today, I picked up my Bible to read as usual.   But I also decided it was time to remind myself of what my purpose in life is.  I hope God will bless the next 40 days as I dive into His Word and renew my faith, my commitment, and living life for His purpose. 

Why we are, who we are, who we will become...our complete identity starts with, ends with, and has purpose in God.

Today, I'm thinking about my purpose.

And I'm reminded, it's not about me.

"Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him."  Colossians 1:16b

Question for the Day:  In spite of all of the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?  (The Purpose Driven Life) 


In His Love, Cathy