Monday, April 15, 2013

My Life's Mantra

I've been struggling with understanding my purpose in life.  Really struggling.  I'm exhausted and I feel very deflated at times.  I have been praying to God that He help me figure things out.  I have faith in God, it's just that I don't always understand faith.  Recently, it was revealed to me on a Monday morning on my way to work and I now have a new mantra for my life.

White Caps on the Atlantic

I was driving to work, feeling tired and not looking forward to the start of my week.  I turned on the radio station and usually listen to hard rock stations.  I began flipping through various stations and came to one of the local Christian music stations.  I like Christian rock music sometimes but I don't listen to it regularly.  There wasn't music playing, though.  It was a sermon.  Usually, I just pass on by but something caught my interest and I began listening when the pastor asked, "Why do we struggle?" 

He explained that we struggle when we shift our hope in God to hope in something else.  That something else is usually some kind of outcome (i.e. a new job, a promotion, more money, etc.).  All of these somethings will always fail us.  Maybe not right away but, at some point, they will disappoint us.  We're never satisfied with things. 

We can be completely satisfied with God, though.  He is the only one who will never disappoint.  He is our one true rock.  Deep down inside, I know this.  Really I do.  I just don't know how to embrace this.  I declare that I am going to give things to God and wait for Him to show me the path He has in mind for me.  But, what does this really mean?  How do I do this?

This pastor on the radio began explaining how we center ourselves.  Center ourselves in Christ.  Okay.  I remember thinking that God was being very concrete at that moment.  Sort of like He knew that I was too overwhelmed for subtle hints.

I didn't plan on listening to this sermon on the radio.  I almost switched to a different station.  I am certain that God was speaking to me that day.  He was very clear.  I remember thanking Him for this because I just wasn't in the mood for subtlety that Monday morning.  I came away with a new mantra for my life:  stay centered.  How simple.  How beautiful.

*I'm participating in the 2013 A to Z Challenge. Every day in April (except for Sundays) I will be posting according to a letter of the Alphabet. To read more about my theme, click here.

8 comments:

  1. Purpose is tricky. I looked for mine for years and one day realized (because God told me) that my life in him is my purpose. And that means that I need to live my whole life with purpose so I can be ready to love and minister others for him. We are God's workers.

    I was making it about me. :) Go figure.

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    1. I never thought of it this way. This sort of puts things into perspective - why is more natural to complicate things than to simplify them? Thanks so much.

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  2. YES! And I agree with the above commenter too.

    Life is NOT ABOUT US.

    It's about God. What he has done for us, what he's done through us, and what he will do in us and through us. And, most especially, what Jesus did for us by dying and rising again. That's what life is all about, and when we have God as the center and focus, that's when life works.

    Thank you for this!! :)

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    1. Thank you, Jaimie. It really does help to be centered in Him. It takes the pressure off of thinking we have to figure everything out ourselves.

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  3. This is pretty great, Jaime. Thank you for sharing. God was certainly speaking to you, He knows what we need...at every moment. I haven't checked your blog in a while, and today I decided to see what's new and read this. All day I have been feeling a knot in my stomach, for various reasons, and after reading this...I'm completely at peace. Is it coincidence that I ran into this post today? Probably not. Hope you guys are doing well!

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    1. I miss you! I'll email you this evening as I'm not sure if you have the same number. I'm sorry about the knot in your stomach. Usually, I get a rock on my chest. I'm happy that you're feeling better. Your often in my thoughts.

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  4. I get sidetracked too...forget what God wants from me. But I tell you, Christian radio is the best. I have the Christian music station on in my car always. Christian artists write about the very things we all feel and struggle with. Surround yourself with that music, if you like music, and it will seep into your being. I know it helps keep me centered. I love Chris Tomlin, all his stuff is good.
    from The Dugout

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    1. Thanks, Mare! I love the song "God I Need You Now" by Plumb. It's awesome!

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