Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
What I thought I wanted
Day in and day out, we are moving, are day and our lives by choices. From the moment we wake up, till the moment we rest; Each day a set of new choices. What do I wear? eat? Do I exercise? Stay in bed? Do I say this or that? When I was living in the world, my choices were impulsive. I was getting by day-to-day just trying to get through the day, moving ahead and living in purpose. I didn’t stop to take into account what I was doing till after it was done. I could easily be influenced by outside circumstances and was going with the masses. Looking back I was living a very meaningless life not making a true difference. Although, my intentions were to make a difference and I thought I was achieving. I wasn’t making true connections with anyone or thing. When you live in purpose,you are just going through the motions; doing what is popular. It wasn’t until I woke up and chose more for my life, a legacy for my daughter and a positive contribution to society.
What I really wanted
When I started living on purpose the mundane day-to-day became something more. I am not going to lie it became difficult in all the right ways. I had to be more conscious in my actions, speech, dress. I had to think ahead and plan more and I had to place more direction and guidance in God. Living by impulse is easy, living intentionally is hard; you might set out daily to tackle your to do list but that is not intentional. Tackling your to do list is just taking care of your daily task that need to be done. How does that impact your salvation? How does that encourage others to consider their salvation? I thought I was positively contributing to society but in all actuality I was serving myself. Getting the things done to make me more comfortable to achieve my goals and to execute my plans.
Accepting I was wrong
When I found God it was self-serving at first, I was looking for a ways to ease my pain. Make my life better, fix my life but as I started to grow in Him I discovered that was not fulfilling. I wasn’t really content until I started spreading His word, shining His light was much more powerful, purposeful and that contribution to society that I was looking for.
Psalms 63:1 You God, are my God, earnestly I see you; I thirst you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
I think the hardest part was realizing that my own desires and dreams weren’t getting me where I thought I wanted to be. It’s hard to think of others and not myself. When I realized that His dreams far exceed anything that I could dream myself.
It’s better than you think
To live day-to-day thinking, how can I be a light while check off my to-do’s? Years ago, if someone would have said to me, “Leave all you know,dreams,aspirations and follow Jesus. It will be the most fulfilling thing you’ve ever done and you will still achieve all your dreams and more. I would have said, “Put down the purple kool-aid,” but I am here today to tell you, it’s true! (I don’t even like Kool-aid, so I am not sipping, I promise just sharing what I have found to be true.) It’s hard following, learning, being obedient, going against your nature but it’s the best thing that I have ever done. My days are no longer mundane they are meaningful and rich. My dreams are not a struggle its just a different path and I am no longer living in purpose. I am living on purpose-this is the life I was meant (we were meant) to live.
Psalm 71:8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
Are you willing to make a sacrifice for Christ and take a leap of faith? If not, what is holding you back?