Living Life on Purpose

I had a great boss a couple jobs ago who was very spiritual. She knew the ins and outs of many different religions but I do not think she was saved. Nonetheless, one day in December I remember asking her if she had thought about her New Year's resolutions. She said she doesn't have resolutions. Instead, she chooses a theme or concept for the year and tries to focus on that theme, base her decisions on that theme and live life according to that theme. I think she said that year, her theme had been "joy."

So, Tyler and I have been talking about half-efforts on much of the stuff we do. We start books and tasks and talks and never finish. We have lists and to-dos and programs and processes but never follow though. Imagine what we would have done in our lives if we actually finished what we started. So with that being said, we've decided our theme for next year is "Living on Purpose." 

What does that mean?

It means to do things deliberately in order to gain a desired result. To more or less, suck the potential out of every activity or action so we can grow as individuals.

I think about my to-do list of life and how I often rush through the tasks just to finish. "Work out? Check. Spend time with my child? Check. Call my mother? Check." I don't fully engage in the task. I am not present in the task. I don't absorb the potential positive outcome of the task.

Next year, I will look at my to-do list with focus and vigor. I will work out to make myself more fit, flexible and strong -- not just to put in my time. I will read the Bible to actively seek God -- not just to appear more spiritual. I will be fully engaged with my child. I will give 100% effort and focus in whatever I choose to do.

After we decided on our 2011 theme, I got all excited about the things I would be able to do if I had this new mindset -- learn a new language, write a book, get more fit.


But then God really spoke to me. Jesus said, "What good is it if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" Paul said in one of his letters, "Everything else is worthless when compared to knowing Christ our Lord" or "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added onto you."

I think having the "eternal" mindset will really help me sort out what I SHOULD focus on. Why focus SO MUCH on six-pack abs when we will be given new bodies in Heaven? Why concentrate on learning a new language if we all speak with new tongues in Heaven? Why write a book if my motives are to make money or be famous? By clinging to God through this process, I know I will be better able to weed out the time-wasting goals and focus on what really matters in the long run.

"Where ever your treasure is, there your heart will also be."