A higher purpose

I attended my youngest child’s high school graduation this weekend. For me, this means a time of added reflection on the years we’ve had her under our roof. As the only daughter after three sons, she was a delightful addition to our family; and her quick wit, wonderful conversation skills, and affectionate nature have brought tremendous joy to our home.

This is also a time I question whether I’ve fulfilled my purpose as her mother to prepare her to face the world. Does she have a firm enough foundation to keep her grounded during the next few years when freedom and opportunity offer her more chances to make big mistakes? Has she even begun to grasp her life’s purpose?

Graduating seniors are wrestling with big, life-altering decisions. Without a sense of purpose, without an understanding of why they’re here on the earth, the weight of these decisions can feel overwhelming. My prayer for each of them is that they would come to realize the eternal nature of their lives, which puts everything else into perspective.

God’s Words says, “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ, … he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone” (Ephesians 1:11, Msg.).

Where will you go to school? Where will you work? Where will you live? Whom will you marry? All these things are very important; yet, when placed against a backdrop of a higher purpose, one’s true calling, we understand that God has a plan. We weren’t placed here randomly and left without the resources needed to accomplish our divine purpose.

In Pastor Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life, he states, “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillments, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”

Once our graduates (and all the rest of us!) figure this out, the rest will fall into place.