#4.5 Unfinished Business
The idea of "purpose" and "goals" has been on my mind lately. This is what my thoughts turned into...
Unfinished Business
At the end of his life, an old man approached the gates of heaven. As they opened, he strode towards them, ready to reap the rewards of his life. Before he went through, however, God stopped him. ‘Old man,” God asked, “let me ask you a question? What did you do with the gift I gave you?” He responded, “well Lord. You gave me the gift of speaking, so that’s what I did. I motivated people to better their lives and eventually became a pastor. You know all this, so why do you ask?” God responded, “I ask because I want you to look back on your life and tell me why I gave you what I did?” “Fair enough,” the man said.
As his life replayed in his mind, a strange feeling began to develop in the pit of his stomach. It churned and churned, almost as if it was trying to leap out of him and escape. “Lord, what is this feeling that perplexes me so?” The Lord said, “That, my son, is the purpose I gave you. Every person I’ve created has been given a measure, and there is where yours stayed at the end of your days.” “How? Did I not do many things to help people?” “Yes, you did! But there was something else I put on the inside of you. Something that the world needed to know, and you were responsible for giving it to them. It was special and made for you to deliver to My people. However, amidst the ebbs and flows of life, you pushed it away.
Logic became the tool by which you made decisions instead of faith. Trials caused you to second guess the thing I placed in you. Friends and Family talked you out of pursuing that which I called you to do, and instead, you chased what seemed reasonable.” “Lord,” he said. “I have finished my race, and the sun has set on my life. Why show me this now?” The Lord replied, “I showed this to you many times over the course of your life, but this is the only time you’ve looked at it. It’s the quietest your life has been. In the silence of solitude, you can finally listen to my voice.” ‘What now?” the man said. “Am I to be punished?” “No, my son,” God said. “Your journey has ended and you have finished the race. This is, however, for all those who will come after you.
“Within you has been placed a gift to the world. It is in that gift, your calling will be manifested and made known to the world. God has placed in you a purpose to be carried out that no man can take. However, we can choose to ignore it. Fear and hesitation can keep us from fully realizing our potential. Worry not for the consequences of tomorrow, but act in the moment of what He has called you for. If even the animals have food and shelter, how much more will He care for His children?”
I think we all have moments where we try to figure out “the big one”, or the big thing that we are meant to accomplish in life. Whether it comes in the form of a career choice, an accomplishment, whatever it may be. That process can sound frustrating, especially when the voice of reality always speaks in our ears. Life has a way of distracting us from the things we either want to do or feel like we need to do. Things get pushed aside because more pressing matters take the forefront, or we find ourselves so overwhelmed that we do nothing at all. There is, however, a danger to both of these. By ignoring that “thing” that sits on the inside of us, we may be prolonging how God wants to use us. I’m not making the claim that every single person is called to be the next preacher or Christian artist. On the contrary, I have found that the “thing” can be in small and effective packages. Maybe your thing is in the love and hospitality you show? Maybe your thing is the kindness and willingness to listen you exhibit to others? Maybe your thing is simply your presence and the way people feel at peace around you? No talent is more precious than the next, and we have all been given talents to share God’s love with others. Never lose sight of who you are and watch how God uses your individuality. :)
