Purpose!

What purpose are you living for today? Survival, Joy, Growth, Being still, Moving on? No matter which of these, or some other, is your goal, reaching it is only possible if you know where you are starting from. Our readings lift up this message repeatedly. To be what and how you desire, you need to know your gifts, your environment, and the relationship between the two. If you do not know, there is a better than good chance you will not achieve your purpose. The Genesis story of this past Sunday is a good example of this association.

Laban, the father, and Jacob, the lover, came to an agreement. Jacob would work for Rachel to be his wife for seven years. For the next seven years these two men lived with different purpose. Laban to give away his eldest daughter, and Jacob to gain the company of his love, Rachel. There was no conflict, for each was living their own truth and being satisfied. It was not until Jacob found out that he was living in Laban’s environment, and not his own, that a conflict arose.

Jacob had a choice to make. He could be satisfied with his new wife, Leah. If this was so distasteful, he could battle with his elder for his rightful prize. Or he could accept the rules of the land that he was in and decide if his love would carry him another seven years.

We have this choice to make today. Do we live in God’s Love, or not? An existence so unimaginable that for thousands of years humanity could not connect to it. It is available to anyone who says, “Yes.” So, He sent Jesus to us to enlighten us and give us a pathway to a new understanding. What is the cost? Give up your normal expectations that trap you to believing that your earthly experience is the best you will ever have. Put down your bed of suffering. Pick up the joyful mystery of the Lord. You will be thankful.

Can we be as brave as Jacob in giving up his expectations to be with his love forever? Separately and together, we can.

Humbly,

Peter

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