Paths and Vessels, or Finding Purpose and Motivation
With the overwhelming sales of Rick Warren's The Purpose-Driven Life (25+ million), we can assume that a good many people routinely reflect on whether their individual lives bear any specific meaning or purpose. In his subtitle, Warren reduces this general angst to a simple question that obviously resonated with the masses of humanity: "What on earth am I here for?"
That's a fair question, and it indicates people do believe that a personal satisfaction comes from knowing and understanding one's reason for existence. This is partly due to the fact that we often witness others with natural gifting or passions finding great joy in fulfilling their life desires. The problem is compounded in the life of the Christian who believes God has a specific purpose for them to fulfill. They're concerned they won't find it.
We assume--and rightly so--that fulfilling your God-intended purpose would also carry with it the motivation to carry it out. We want that personal drive that we see in the lives of those filled with a sense of purpose. One cannot doubt the sense of personal direction, motivation, and work ethic of R. J. Rushdoony. I have reviewed his daily journals dating back to 1972, and the diligence just to keep such records--let alone what the daily records showed he accomplished--is obviously due to his great motivation. Here's a sample from one of his journals (click the image to enlarge it):
Life is a Path
Does your life have a direction? Well, in general, all of our lives have an orientation. In fact, when the Bible speaks of the course of our lives, it often uses the metaphor of a path:
If this were true, the book of Proverbs would be much shorter, for it provides us with wise actions for the various issues we face in the economy of life:
Life is a path, and the choices are always blessing or cursing, prosperity or poverty, laziness or diligence, health or sickness, happiness or sadness, and doing all things for God and His Kingdom, or doing all things for oneself.
It stands to reason that if God desires your increase in all these secondary areas, then He certainly wants you to increase in your primary purpose whether it be motherhood or mechanic. It's not my intent to walk through the process of "finding" your purpose or calling, but only to make the point that life is a path and the direction to be going is obviously forward.
There is a difference, however, between discovering one's primary purpose(s) and "finding the perfect will of God." I'm certainly not advocating the latter. I can be aware of the resident gifts, talents, and abilities I have, and I can understand the wisest use or expression of those inherent graces, but that does not mean I know the "perfect will of God" for my life. I do not believe one can "miss" the will of God. Providence is too pervasive for you to even blink your eye out of God's timing.
Discovering the purpose for which you are created is different. In a general sense, we all have the same purpose of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever, but I'm referring to discovering the areas of your primary gifting and working to determine the wisest use of those gifts within the framework of present opportunities. In addition, embracing the "motivation" that should accompany such an awareness--a motivation that will move you to consistent action.
You Are a Vessel
Besides describing our life as a path, the Bible also refers to us a vessels:
You may have heard someone describe "feeling empty inside." This is usually because they lack a passion for living. An empty vessel carries no motivation for fulfilling any kind of purpose. This is set over against those that we describe as "driven." They're always thinking or talking about their interests or goals. We often refer to them as being "obsessed"--and obsess means to preoccupy or fill the mind.
Which Came First: Passion or Purpose?
If you have questions about your life's purpose, your passion(s) can be a great indicator of the direction you should take. This is also true of what bothers you the most. Often, what irritates you may reveal a specific problem that God has gifted you to solve. In the end, all our individual purposes are given to solve a problem.
Because so many claim that do not yet know the full manifestation of their life's purpose, they often do nothing at all. They think there is something wrong with them, or that God has nothing for them. The truth is that God often hides this information from us in order that we may pursue Him for it. This is part of the maturing process. We fail to understand that, so we get frustrated with being left in the dark.
It's similar to the way a parent helps their young baby to learn to walk. Once the baby learns to hold itself up against a couch or table, it will then attempt to push off and take steps. Soon, it's trying to take steps towards the parent. What does the parent do? The parent starts to back up so that the baby will walk further. What does the baby do? It cries, because it cannot understand why the parent would move away--i.e., "hide"--while the baby is trying to get them. In this way, God often veils Himself and our purpose in order to strengthen our ability to walk.
We cannot fathom the path our life will take, so we have to move in the direction of the opportunities presently available. As you're faithful, and garner more experience, you'll discover new opportunities. You'll also find that your passions change along with the change in opportunities. The motivation for one season dissipates while a passion for the next one takes over.
My path into Chalcedon was nothing I intended. I began working with them as a vendor in 1995 doing graphic design and layout. At the time, Rushdoony was not keen on using artwork for book and magazine covers, but Andrew Sandlin was able to persuade him into permitting it. In fact, I wouldn't be in this position today were it not for Andrew's vision for something greater for Chalcedon and his commitment to using me to help him achieve it.
After Rush's passing, and the eventual reorganization of the ministry, challenges ensued that required rethinking Chalcedon's modus operandi. It so happens that since 1995, my passions broadened into other areas of communications that equipped me for some consulting with Chalcedon in early 2003. This led to my taking the position as Director of Communications, and the rest is history.
It was never my intention to be employed at Chalcedon. That was not my goal. I had other plans actually. But, seasons and passions change, and with that our sense of purpose. Granted, I'm always on a path of sanctification, but what I do with my life is equally important. The problem is that most volumes on systematic theology do not cover such areas. If they do, it's usually limited to the Biblical concept of ministerial calling. But, for those of us with a view to a faith for all of life, we need to apply that same theology to our personal path and purpose.
That's a fair question, and it indicates people do believe that a personal satisfaction comes from knowing and understanding one's reason for existence. This is partly due to the fact that we often witness others with natural gifting or passions finding great joy in fulfilling their life desires. The problem is compounded in the life of the Christian who believes God has a specific purpose for them to fulfill. They're concerned they won't find it.
We assume--and rightly so--that fulfilling your God-intended purpose would also carry with it the motivation to carry it out. We want that personal drive that we see in the lives of those filled with a sense of purpose. One cannot doubt the sense of personal direction, motivation, and work ethic of R. J. Rushdoony. I have reviewed his daily journals dating back to 1972, and the diligence just to keep such records--let alone what the daily records showed he accomplished--is obviously due to his great motivation. Here's a sample from one of his journals (click the image to enlarge it):
Life is a Path
Does your life have a direction? Well, in general, all of our lives have an orientation. In fact, when the Bible speaks of the course of our lives, it often uses the metaphor of a path:
Thou wilt show me the path of life... Ps. 16:11We are not corks on an ocean drifting mindlessly with the chaotic movement of the waves, though some people may feel that way. Circumstances seem to overwhelm them, and their lack of control leaves them with a sense that they are at the mercy of other forces. The Bible says otherwise. The Bibles says that life is a path, and a path has limitations:
Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Ps. 17:11
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Ps. 119:105
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:6
A path has two directions: forward and back.Someone can say, "Okay, I also believe that life is a path, but the only path we should be concerned with is the path of salvation. It's worldly to be obsessing over one's life purpose."
A path is limited. It has boundaries that force you into either going forward or back.
If this were true, the book of Proverbs would be much shorter, for it provides us with wise actions for the various issues we face in the economy of life:
- Principles for raising children.
- Principles for a godly marriage.
- Principles for battling sins such as lust, theft, and murder.
- Principles for work and diligence.
- Principles for land and property.
- Principles for business transactions.
- Principles for giving.
- Principles for the handling of money.
- Principles for civil government.
- Principles for rest.
- Principles for entertainment.
- Principles for science.
Life is a path, and the choices are always blessing or cursing, prosperity or poverty, laziness or diligence, health or sickness, happiness or sadness, and doing all things for God and His Kingdom, or doing all things for oneself.
It stands to reason that if God desires your increase in all these secondary areas, then He certainly wants you to increase in your primary purpose whether it be motherhood or mechanic. It's not my intent to walk through the process of "finding" your purpose or calling, but only to make the point that life is a path and the direction to be going is obviously forward.
There is a difference, however, between discovering one's primary purpose(s) and "finding the perfect will of God." I'm certainly not advocating the latter. I can be aware of the resident gifts, talents, and abilities I have, and I can understand the wisest use or expression of those inherent graces, but that does not mean I know the "perfect will of God" for my life. I do not believe one can "miss" the will of God. Providence is too pervasive for you to even blink your eye out of God's timing.
Discovering the purpose for which you are created is different. In a general sense, we all have the same purpose of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever, but I'm referring to discovering the areas of your primary gifting and working to determine the wisest use of those gifts within the framework of present opportunities. In addition, embracing the "motivation" that should accompany such an awareness--a motivation that will move you to consistent action.
You Are a Vessel
Besides describing our life as a path, the Bible also refers to us a vessels:
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. Acts 9:15Vessels are supposed to be filled--that's why God uses this metaphor. He wants us to be filled, or consumed, with the spiritual qualities He's created for the benefit of His Kingdom. I say "spiritual" because it's obvious that physically, our bodies are filled with bone, tissue, and blood. There are no physical voids within us. But God sees us as vessels, and the elements He intends to consume us are first and foremost spiritual:
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Acts 9:21
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Cor. 4:7
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour. 1 Thess. 4:4
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Tim. 2:21
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Pet. 3:7
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. Eph. 5:18We are to be filled with the Spirit; filled with an understanding of God's ethical will; and filled with His Word. One cannot be so filled without a strong sense of passion. Having a strong sense of passion is a type of filling. We should be consumed, and consume means to be filled.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Col 1:9
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... Col. 3:16
You may have heard someone describe "feeling empty inside." This is usually because they lack a passion for living. An empty vessel carries no motivation for fulfilling any kind of purpose. This is set over against those that we describe as "driven." They're always thinking or talking about their interests or goals. We often refer to them as being "obsessed"--and obsess means to preoccupy or fill the mind.
Which Came First: Passion or Purpose?
If you have questions about your life's purpose, your passion(s) can be a great indicator of the direction you should take. This is also true of what bothers you the most. Often, what irritates you may reveal a specific problem that God has gifted you to solve. In the end, all our individual purposes are given to solve a problem.
Because so many claim that do not yet know the full manifestation of their life's purpose, they often do nothing at all. They think there is something wrong with them, or that God has nothing for them. The truth is that God often hides this information from us in order that we may pursue Him for it. This is part of the maturing process. We fail to understand that, so we get frustrated with being left in the dark.
It's similar to the way a parent helps their young baby to learn to walk. Once the baby learns to hold itself up against a couch or table, it will then attempt to push off and take steps. Soon, it's trying to take steps towards the parent. What does the parent do? The parent starts to back up so that the baby will walk further. What does the baby do? It cries, because it cannot understand why the parent would move away--i.e., "hide"--while the baby is trying to get them. In this way, God often veils Himself and our purpose in order to strengthen our ability to walk.
We cannot fathom the path our life will take, so we have to move in the direction of the opportunities presently available. As you're faithful, and garner more experience, you'll discover new opportunities. You'll also find that your passions change along with the change in opportunities. The motivation for one season dissipates while a passion for the next one takes over.
My path into Chalcedon was nothing I intended. I began working with them as a vendor in 1995 doing graphic design and layout. At the time, Rushdoony was not keen on using artwork for book and magazine covers, but Andrew Sandlin was able to persuade him into permitting it. In fact, I wouldn't be in this position today were it not for Andrew's vision for something greater for Chalcedon and his commitment to using me to help him achieve it.
After Rush's passing, and the eventual reorganization of the ministry, challenges ensued that required rethinking Chalcedon's modus operandi. It so happens that since 1995, my passions broadened into other areas of communications that equipped me for some consulting with Chalcedon in early 2003. This led to my taking the position as Director of Communications, and the rest is history.
It was never my intention to be employed at Chalcedon. That was not my goal. I had other plans actually. But, seasons and passions change, and with that our sense of purpose. Granted, I'm always on a path of sanctification, but what I do with my life is equally important. The problem is that most volumes on systematic theology do not cover such areas. If they do, it's usually limited to the Biblical concept of ministerial calling. But, for those of us with a view to a faith for all of life, we need to apply that same theology to our personal path and purpose.
