Purposeful Pursuit continues....

3/7/13.......for His purpose and my purpose.

My Purpose® moisturizer has sat in my "beauty basket" for many years. It's my "go to" moisturizer. I know it's simple purpose in my life and it serves me well.  Daily usage leaves my leaves my skin feeling refreshed and moisturized----plus, it has added benefit of SPF 15 sunscreen. 

Purpose's® purpose is clearly spelled out by its maker----right there on the label. I would like my "purpose" shown that clearly by my Maker.  I do desire His purpose for my life but maybe I want too many specifics, like one would find on a printed label. 

Pondering this all week, I have reread Psalm 117 (shortest of the psalms) and concur with David Ginn that God's purpose seems to be that He should be praised by all the nations. 

Praise the Lord, all you nations;
    extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.

His purpose is shown in scripture and the same can be said for His desired purpose for all Christians who desire godly, purposeful living.

As I continue in my purposeful pursuit, I will keep the Westminster Catechism at the forefront of my scripture search realizing that chief end and purpose are synonymous .

Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. 

The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q 1, Q 2)

Gotta Dance

8/25/09 Gotta Dance!
The Young Life Training Book from the 1970’s had kids discussing what it meant to “Put On” godliness and what that looked like in the scriptures. There was also the “Put Off” aspect---behaviors “unbecoming” (a Mama Davenport term) to a believer.

I’ve been “putting on” the wrong things lately and blaming it on fatigue, time constraints and responsibilities. I’ve put on fear and irritability----I’ve forgotten how to “dance.” So tonight, I’ve decided to get out my dancing shoes---maybe not tap shoes or my soft leather ones for bopping but a smooth shoe for a dance more akin to waltzing. I’m not exactly up to the shindigs of the past but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to sit it out either. There’s still so much life to live---just maybe not at the old pace yet.

So if you see me gliding down the hall at work, I hope you’ll realized who’s leading me (maybe even holding me up). As I slide on by in the “closed position” with my Partner, I trust you’ll see me in my new ball gown. I’m “putting off” my old dregs of complaint, irritation, fear and unrealistic expectations---I plan to “put on” contentment, gratitude and trust for the duration of my earthly dance. I think that will please and glorify my Partner, Jesus.

Isn’t that the chief end of man according to the Westminster Shorter Catechism? Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. I gotta dance again! I plan to do just that and to enjoy every minute of it.

I “hope you dance” as well.