We were off the beaten path for about an hour when we realized we were lost. I pulled the car into a small motel to ask for directions. There were two elderly men sitting behind the counter with their feet up while watching a small television set. I had to clear my throat to get their attention.
“Excuse me. Can either of you direct me back to the interstate?” They were no help. They just looked at me with a blank stare. When I returned to the car, I gave my friend the bad news. “Well, we’re lost and we’re going to die.
“No, we’re not.” She said in a comforting way. “Look! There’s a gas station stop across the street. Maybe someone in there will be able to help us,” she added with hope in her voice.
To me, the shady, rundown building across the street looked like a hangout for serial killers. The paint was peeling and the shrubbery was overgrown. Nothing about the store said, “Welcome.” There was no way I was going to walk into a nest of potential killers willingly. However, my friend persuaded me otherwise. “We won’t talk to anyone,” she promised. “We’ll just go in and buy a map.”
Once we were inside the creepy, timeworn building, I scanned the place for our killer. When it appeared to be safe, we got our directions and got out of the store.
Eventually, we made it home.
How often have you felt lost when it comes to discovering your purpose in life? Just when you think you’re on the right track, you find yourself in a shady, rundown building—a dead end—a place that has nothing to do with where you’re headed. Don’t lose heart.
When God is revealing bits and pieces of your purpose through the seasons of your life, remember that even if He has told you how you will ultimately serve Him, it doesn’t mean that the fulfillment of your purpose will happen in a straight line. Instead, you might feel like you are going in loop-de-loops and circles, like you are wandering. This is OK. God won’t waste any of your experiences. And even if some of your “circles” seem unrelated to God’s calling, He will weave them in to His purpose for your life. Rest assured, He is still in control and will perfect that which concerns you (Psalm 138:8).
It’s often through our experiences and passions that God is piecing together our purpose. To help you get on track to what your purpose may be, think about these three questions.
1. What do you love? Do you love to garden, cook or fix cars? Whatever you love is what you’re called to do.
For example, I learned last week at our annual She Speaks conference about a lady who used her love of teaching self-defense to equip trafficking victims.
2. What do you hate? Do you hate child-abuse, cancer or drug pushers? Whatever you hate is what you’re called to correct. We often see this in action whenever there is a “Race for Cancer.” Or a mom who has lost a child due to drugs and now speaks to young people on the dangers of substance abuse.
3. What makes you cry? Do school shootings make you cry? Does elderly abuse make you cry? Does the loss of moral values in our society today tug at your heart? Whatever makes you cry is what you’re called to heal.
God doesn’t always reveal our purpose in a straight line, but He gives us bits and pieces along the way. As we step out in obedience to the things He reveals, we eventually find ourselves right dab in the middle of our calling.
Courtney says
Micca! This post is God using you to speak to me! I was just think about what am I going to do with the rest of my life. I’m 30 and have no clear direction! I have a finance degree and started a masters in education, but stopped. Everyone says I should teach because I’m crafty and good with children…. Ummmmm…. I’m not so sure about that! After doing school observation, I say no way! I love serving in the church and volunteer often. Is that where I supposed to be? I’m going to use your 3 things and make a list. From there, I’m going to pray to God to reveal to me which path to take. Thank you for today’s post!
Anna says
Micca, what a blessing, thank you! I often ask myself what my calling is, and God has started to reveal to me, my crocheting I have been blessed with starting a Prayer Shawl Ministry with some ladies from our church. As I read question one “What Do You Love?” I really didn’t realize that my love for my garden, growing chili plants, flowers, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, making salsa, cooking, etc was a calling! And I love to give my salsa away, I make pumpkin bread for Sunday morning to serve before service, help with meals when I can…..And here I though I didn’t know what my gifts and calling were…WOW! I really needed this today…..Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Blessings, Anna
Debi Schuhow says
Wow! I’ve never been asked those questions. But as soon as I answered them one at a time the answer was the same. I HATE children being neglected and abused. I love writing, swimming, going outside, reading, and one on one time with people.
I think I know what to do now .
Misty Foster says
Thank you so much for this beautiful message. The beginning with the serial killer scenario made me laugh because I would be thinking the SAME. Love the three points! 1. What do you love? Whatever you love is what you’re called to do. 2. What do you hate? Whatever you hate is what you’re called to correct. 3. What makes you cry? Whatever makes you cry is what you’re called to heal.
Definitely printing these out and keeping them in my prayer journal!
Lisa Stokoe says
Micca,Thank you so much for this post! What a delightfully, humorous blog with such direct encouragement as to understanding our purpose. I will chew on this for a bit to get clearer focus as to His specific purpose. I too, have found that circles and loop-de-loops are all part of the call. Somehow there seems to be a hidden gem and necessary lesson around every turn.
Penny Schulz says
Micca, thank you for your reminder and yes we did get lost a lot on the trip home from She Speaks. Decided to take a lot of back roads home through Tennessee. But just like you mentioned while we were doing a lot of weaving, and circling we got to experience the wonders from our Creator that we would have never seen if we had not gone off of the beaten path. God met us at such unbelievable places with beauty, quietness and peace. He even revealed a lot more to me as to what direction he wants the ministry to go. And imagine it isn’t the path I was wanting to head in, but….. it will be so much better. thank you for your encouragement, and input. It was a blessing having you as a coach! God Bless
Margaret says
This seems to be the constant theme in my life, especially in the last 10 years or so. I am 52 and stuck. Trying to sense HIS direction for me. Right now I spend alot of time driving to see my mom 4 hrs away. She had a debilitating stroke 2 yrs ago and is now living in adult foster care. So, it is hard right now to committ to something new. I was encouraged by the 3 questions and will spend some time pondering and praying!
Deena Siddle says
Micca,
Words that spoke straight to my heart. I do know what my path for God will be just not the road it will take me down or how long it will be. But I am open to the ride of my life, as God leads the way I will follow and praying.
Kathi W says
Micca, thank you for sharing!! You made me see things in a new light. 🙂