Living purposefully... 'purposefully means "with a specific purpose or objective in mind."' How often do we wake up with a purpose for the day? Today is a gentle reminder about living with a purpose. Waking up each day and taking on what the day has, with intent and purpose to achieve at least one thing for that day. At the end of each day, wouldn't it be rewarding to reflect on the day and give thanks for achieving at least one thing for that day?
There may be days that you may find yourself going through the motions to the point of even forgetting yourself and just existing. Is that the way to live? I mean, to go through the motions of everyday life--whatever that is for you--and letting life pass you by? Days, months and even years can go by and you wonder... where did the time go? You 'blink' and so much has happened, but not as much of what you could have done if you had lived purposefully each day. To be honest, just thinking about it... that's not the way to live--you were created for so much more and that includes living life to the fullest in whatever shape or form. Which is why it's important to live purposefully--daily.
Now, just to clarify, I'm not talking about your "calling" or life's ultimate purpose--if you know what that is. I'm talking about waking up each day and having a purpose to live, not just exist, that day. For some, that may be various purposes that contribute to your life's calling. For others, each day there is a purpose to make a difference in lives of those around them: family, friends, community, etc. Again, other people may just need to live with determination to move to the next phase or season in the life. Whatever stage you find yourself, focus on living purposefully.
In reference to Barnabas in the Bible, Acts 11:23 says, "Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord." The commentary I read stated: "Men must always be exhorted (encouraged) to purpose in heart to cleave to God lest they drift, become indifferent and lukewarm and spued out." When you think about it... how often do you become indifferent to things around you (or end up taking things and people for granted) when you are not intentional and purposeful in living your life each day? When you wake up, think about how you want the day to go and what your role will be.
When Daniel found himself in a challenging situation where he was asked (or felt he may have had to compromise) he chose to live purposefully. "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." In that season, Daniel purposed in his heart (i.e. made up his mind) to deal with the issue at hand. Living purposefully involves making a decision and determining within yourself to do something. Today, as you reflect on living purposefully, make a determination of what that should be... one day at a time.
