Thursday, May 19, 2011

Significance

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
(Phil. 4:6-7)


I was thinking this morning about purpose and direction, and significance.  There's a craving inside me that longs to be significant in what I do.  And that craving is sometimes disappointed when I feel like all I've accomplished in a day is tidy the house and do laundry.  Not every day is like that, but there are plenty of them.  I desperately want to do something that matters with my life, to do something that other people can look at and think "wow, she's really gotten something accomplished."
I'm realizing more and more that what the world sees as significant and praiseworthy is definitely different than what God sees as praiseworthy.  My challenge is to differentiate between the two, and pour myself into what God wants.
The above verses came to my mind this morning as I sat on our front steps, contemplating these things.  We are told to be thankful a lot.  It's so easy for me to ignore a "simple" command like this, in my search for something "deep" and "important".  I think this is probably the best start I could have on my way to finding significance and purpose in what I do every day.
I don't think there's anything in Scripture that even resembles a "ten-step plan to happiness" but there are so many things we're told to do on a daily basis that are so easy to ignore (at least for me!) in our search for purpose.
I want to just go back to the "simple" commands I see in Scripture, and start with those in my everyday life.  I am convinced that when we get to Heaven, we will be come to a true realization of what God truly desires from us, and we will see how much of our life we wasted trying to accomplish things that meant nothing to Him.  I already have things I regret, ways I spent my time, things I did, or didn't do, and I do not want to live the second half of my life regretting the first.
I think the only way to avoid this is by seeking God every day through His word.  It's difficult to obey, but it's not a mystery, it's right there for us to read anytime!

2 comments:

  1. So good, and so true, and I can SO relate to all you are feeling/learning... Thanks for posting! :-D

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  2. It's Charissa and this post blessed my little heart! I love you girl!

    (love the new blog outlook!)

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