Finding Purpose In the Everyday
We, as humans, thrive when we have a goal before us to achieve. We are driven to create, grow, produce and accomplish things, which then fills us with a sense of purpose and usefulness. Without it, the words from Proverbs resounds clearly, resulting in our souls wilting like a flower in the desert.
Struggling to find meaning in the mundane is common among many. It can be very difficult to find significance when most of your days are filled with monotony. Work, family, dinner, errands, kid’s activities, fall in bed and do it again the next day. Life can feel like an exercise bike, you petal fast and hard, but never get anywhere.
Breathe
Shift your focus
And adjust your thoughts
“Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people). Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17 Amp)
These verses in Ephesians offer a fresh perspective on what we should be dwelling on as we try to grasp for a sense of relevance. Let us examine more closely.
Intention plays a huge role in discovering purpose while on the hamster wheel of the daily grind. What you set your mind and vision on, sets the rhythm for your day to day.
Paul tells us in verse 15 we are to pay close attention to how we walk. The terminology “walk” is used multiple times in the scriptures and usually refers to the consistent, everyday common moments of life. How do we accomplish this? Live purposefully and worthily and accurately.
I found it interesting that the amplified version of the Bible expounds the wording and includes “accurately” as a choice to describe our daily walk. I don’t know about you, but my day being “accurate” is not something I have given much thought to. But when I looked up the definition, I found this in the dictionary listing, which I believe fits very nicely as to what the author was trying to say:
capable of or successful in reaching the intended target
When you are intentionally focused on a goal, your whole drive moves you to complete the target you seek. You desire a “bullseye” kind of day and become highly motivated in achieving your purpose.
Paul goes on to remind us to soak up every second we have been given. Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity]. What we do with the hours between sunrise and sunset matter. We are but a vapor, (James 4:14) here one day and gone the next. I’m not trying to be morbid, just realistic. The days are dark and there is much we need to be doing, so let us not waste precious moments.
In order to achieve any goal, you must think through a plan. Paul says, do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish. Shooting from the hip may work occasionally, but more often than not, it will probably land you or someone else in the ER due to misfiring. Strategizing is key for developing a daily objective.
At this point, you may be asking what target you are supposed to be seeking each day? What is the referenced goal? The answer is at the end of verse 17. but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.
“Wow! Thanks Brandy, if I knew the “will of the Lord” for my life, I wouldn’t be questioning my purpose each day. Super helpful!” (*sarcastic tone inserted here) Dear friends, it actually doesn’t have to be that complicated.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a basket, but on a candle stand and it gives light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, words of Jesus)
Your purpose, in the day in and out is to bring glory to the One Who saved your life. Start by asking simple questions.
Your family is your primary mission field. How can you show them the love of Christ each day?
Remind your kiddos when they get up that this is the day the Lord made so we can give thanks and be glad
Show grace for mistakes
Encourage your spouse on their way out the door for work so they know someone is on their side
Loose your temper with your family members? Apologize. It lets them know you are human and teaches them why you need Jesus just as much as they do
Pray over your home and remind the devil he has no place under your roof
That job you hate to go to most days. What plan does the Lord have for you there?
Encourage a coworker that is walking through a challenging season right now
Discourage office gossip and slander by just removing yourself from the conversation politely
Negativity needs fuel for the fire. Be a firehose
Is there a coworker who needs to hear the hope of the gospel
Grocery shopping, running errands, soccer games. How can you serve the strangers you will cross paths with?
Your kind smile may be the ray of hope one person needs just to take another step
Show patience to the check out clerk who is struggling from a long, hard day
Hand out a compliment to someone you don’t know
When our daily focus adjusts to discover how we can bring honor to the Father, purpose becomes clear. We do not need to overcomplicate the matter. It is the small, simple things that add up over time to equal tremendous gains for the Kingdom. I have never understood why we believe a project must be massive to hold value? Jesus talked to people, ate dinner, told stories. He lived the common everyday and kept the will of the Father always before Him.
Not sure where to start? Ask Him.
Lord, how can I best serve you today?
Help me to see the broken world through Your eyes and give me wisdom as to how I can help heal.
Allow me to love others as I have been loved.
Use me as Your hands and feet.
Hold my tongue when I should be silent and give me courage when I should speak.
Keep my attitude in check and my heart full of gratitude.
Bring me someone today that I can encourage and share the gospel with.
When we zero in on Kingdom vision and start using that as the len for everything we do, each day is filled with exciting possibilities of what God will accomplish. The result? Ordinary days birth extraordinary opportunities for us to pull another from the fires of destruction. If that is not purpose, I don’t know what is?