Usually at the beginning of a year, we tend to take stock of our lives. We reflect a bit on the year past and look to the future, a course correction if you will.

In our reflective state we typically consider what we need to improve or need to change, what we need to do more of or do less of and perhaps the considering if we’re living a life of purpose and making the difference, we know we can?

Then we make audacious plans and set about it. But for many of us, this year hasn’t gone according to the original #20Plenty plan we may have had. With so much uncertainty, change and disruptions it was a real challenge to forge ahead and many just needed to survive.

So, seeing that we have reached the last half of the year and lockdown has eased, it seems fitting to revisit our beginning of the year questions because the year is not yet over.  There are still things we can achieve this year.

Revisiting our stock take questions might also bring up different answers than what we had in the beginning of the year after having time to uniquely realize what matters in life.

Mary Oliver is an America Poet and in her one poem “Summer Days”, she ends the poem like this:

Summer Days (last line)

“Tell me what is it you plan to do, with your one wild and precious life? “

So, what are we going to do with our one wild and precious life? Are we in God’s will around this and do I know what God wants me to do with the time I have on earth?

To start off with we have to ask this question: What is God’s will for us? See what is written in Colossians 1:15 (NIV):

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

This verse clearly states that we were created for a person by a person. We were created for Jesus by Jesus

1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV) says: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. “

Therefore, God’s will is to know Him, and to make Him known.

I know it might sound very spiritual and most people want to rather know if they have the right job or not, or if they should take this next step or not, or should they marry this person or not?

It’s not about an assignment, but about the big picture of God. You are created for something bigger than just a job, a marriage, or a path in life. We’ve been created to bring Glory to God and our Lord Jesus.

How do we bring glory to God? By doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus as Colossians 3:17 (NIV) says: “And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. “

Paul makes a shift here from “What do I do?” to “Why do I do what I do?”.

So, WHAT I do is not under the microscope, but WHY I do it is.

Romans 11:33-35

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgements,

And his paths beyond tracing out!

“Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?”

“Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay them?”

For from him, and through him and for him are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Everything I have is a gift from God. My brain, body, abilities, and talents. I came from God, I’m sustained by God, and I’ll end with God. Let all of the glory and attention go to God.

PASSION

Once the fact of “Why?” settled, I then wondered what God specifically wants me to do. And so, I believe then God will open up our passions through which we can live a life of purpose. Remember that it is not important what we do, but why we do it. To know Jesus and make Jesus known.

This is very exciting as it is a wide door of options: “whatever you do...”. Whether it be sports, business, caring for others, charity, church or a full-time parent, doesn’t matter.

This is however also a very eliminating door. You must be able to do it in the name of the Lord Jesus and give Him glory. Therefore, something like money laundering, cooking the books or illegal activities is out of the question as these things do not bring glory to our Lord Jesus.

Now we can go on an exciting journey to discovery our passions and if you don’t know yet what your passions are, these questions could help:

1. What keeps you up at night, and what wakes you up in the morning?

For somethings you just can’t get up in the morning, yet for other things, you are up before your alarm clock. It makes you come alive. Therefore, don’t ask what the world needs but ask what makes you come alive? Because what the world needs are people that comes alive.

2. What are you best at?

Something that you perhaps are naturally good at, or maybe you weren’t great at it at first, but you are getting better at it, and better.

3. What are the people in your life affirming?

Sometimes close confidants around you might ask: Have you ever thought about doing this, or going full time into that, or looked into this? People might prompt you to take a new direction so what are people trying to tell you? People can typically see what God is going to do through you, before you see it

4. What are you willing to sacrifice for it?

What price are you willing to pay for what you want? Are you willing to put in 100% to get it done and give it everything you’ve got? You’ll never reach any top of any mountain if you’re not willing to climb.

In closing, it’s important to understand that we are made by God, sustained by God and made for God, and so our purpose is to know God and to make God known. This we should do, in whatever we do.

However, we have passions in our hearts, gifts and talents from God and/or cares for something bigger than ourselves. It is in these things where we’ll find the sweet spot to live out our passions or our calling. By combining then our purpose with our passions, we can live a successful & fulfilled life whilst gathering treasures up in Heaven!

Our lives are short in the spectrum of eternity, so whatever we do, let’s not miss our purpose, let’s not miss our calling!