Musings on Purpose

While doing some seemingly purposeless surfing last week, I found an job opportunity that seemed a good fit for me. It is in another state and pays well, offering a chance at a 'fresh start' economically, socially, and professionally. Did God lead me to this job post, offering me the fresh start, or challenging me to clearly define my purpose?

As much as I am interested, I decided not to pursue the opportunity. Why? Because it doesn't involve web-marketing, which is one of my professional passions (see my main blog to understand this). But now that I've refused the temptation (day 26 reading, btw), I am forced to look at what I will do instead. I can't accept the status quo.

I have some ideas and I see opportunities and contacts around me to start some kind of web-consulting business, but that is risky. But finding a traditional marketing job to suit me (and my passion/skills) will take a lot of work, too.

I'm left challenged by one of my favorite authors/bloggers, Seth Godin. In his latest column in Fast Company, he challenges me (the reader): Why not be great?

Reading 24 --The Bible

Rick's message this week is about Discipleship, which I find challenging. Last night's reading about using the Bible as a tool in my life was something I wanted to resist. I don't have a passion for reading the Bible, although he offered other choices of studying it (another blog comes to mind).

And from personal experience, I can tell that his statement about 15 minutes a day will get you thru the Bible in a year is bunk. I have found that his quotes using the version of the Bible called "The Message" much more engaging. I can download it for my Palm for $35.

But the point is, will I use it?

I'm now also reading "Peace like a River", where the father almost literally pours over his KJV Bible to sooth himself, which makes the case that some people need the Bible. But his is an extraordinary man, and I'm not sure where the book is taking him yet.

Sunday #4: Fellowship review

I felt and acted a little more social than usual today at church, and not just because the subject of the day was fellowship--my wife wasn't with me, leaving me without a crutch. I even greeted a couple of visitors!

Paul made a nice sermon out of I Corinthians 13, which is the classic 'love' passage heard a weddings. He said that fellowship doesn't happen because we: talk too much, know too much, have our own schemes, count only our giving/sacrifices, and value sacrifice too much. Or in other words, are too self-centered. Love gives us a reason to become other-centered. Invest your life in LOVE, Paul implored, and he is probably right.

I've been thinking that part of my problem with being Purpose-driven is my tendency to be 'good enough'. Rather than choose a skill or talent to excel at, if I choose LOVE, all else will follow. That will take a lot of work, but like everything else I've done, if I stick to it, it will slowly come to be. I just have to make sure I excel at it and not just accept 'good enough'.