Thursday, January 22, 2004
The Purpose for Life
About five or six years ago my husband challenged me to spend some time developing some lifetime goals. I was fairly unfamiliar with the process and Dan said that it would be good to take a few days off to spend time alone to seek God and ask Him what His purpose was for my life.
At the end of all that time, I determined a fair number of lifetime goals; some simply desires of my heart, some direction from God. But my overarching purpose for living (raison d'etre) was to love unconditionally. Not just when it is easy, not just when people are being lovable, but to love all people with whom I come in contact all the time regardless of behavior, trustworthiness, attitude toward me, or any other offputting behavior. In the Greek, the word is agapao meaning love using a deliberate assent of the will.
This is not an easy task. It is twenty four by seven as well as being often grueling and painful. What I never realized that it can be is also transforming, both for me and for the person who is forgiven and to whom grace is extended, sometimes over and over and for offenses that would often end relationships.
What is often difficult is when this unconditional love is not returned in kind. I know I should never expect that it should be, and yet somehow the investment of energy, love, and time leaves a void. I thank God that He is the one that fills the emptiness and that if I will only ask, He is there.
Life and Love are not easy. Every trial builds us in character if we but allow God to use it. And so I continue on my quest to love well...
Walk in Compassion,
Marti
About five or six years ago my husband challenged me to spend some time developing some lifetime goals. I was fairly unfamiliar with the process and Dan said that it would be good to take a few days off to spend time alone to seek God and ask Him what His purpose was for my life.
At the end of all that time, I determined a fair number of lifetime goals; some simply desires of my heart, some direction from God. But my overarching purpose for living (raison d'etre) was to love unconditionally. Not just when it is easy, not just when people are being lovable, but to love all people with whom I come in contact all the time regardless of behavior, trustworthiness, attitude toward me, or any other offputting behavior. In the Greek, the word is agapao meaning love using a deliberate assent of the will.
This is not an easy task. It is twenty four by seven as well as being often grueling and painful. What I never realized that it can be is also transforming, both for me and for the person who is forgiven and to whom grace is extended, sometimes over and over and for offenses that would often end relationships.
What is often difficult is when this unconditional love is not returned in kind. I know I should never expect that it should be, and yet somehow the investment of energy, love, and time leaves a void. I thank God that He is the one that fills the emptiness and that if I will only ask, He is there.
Life and Love are not easy. Every trial builds us in character if we but allow God to use it. And so I continue on my quest to love well...
Walk in Compassion,
Marti
