A Good Word Wednesday #60 PURPOSE

A little bit of goodness in your mailbox today ❓✍🏼👣

Good Word of the Day: Purpose

Do you ever wonder what you were put on planet Earth to do? What’s your purpose? What’s God’s plan for you?

Some days I am very sure. God called me to write the words He gives me. Sounds simple enough. But for awhile, I was sure I was meant to be a veterinarian, or an artist, or a sign language interpreter, or a missionary. I’ve explored God’s calling in a blog I will cite for you below.

It has been a journey to figure out where I should serve Him best. In reality, I’ve found my calling as a writer, a church missions minister, an anti-trafficking nonprofit country director, and back to writer again. What’s been your journey? How do you know what your calling is?

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

Frederick Buechner

I think the hard part comes when doubt creeps in. It’s in those times of waiting for something to progress when discouragement is most aggressive. Questions burrow into my thinking when my time table isn’t met. What then?

It’s in those stressful moments that my radar goes up to seek direction. I look for words of wisdom, advice and encouragement from those I respect. As I’ve thought about the word “purpose”, God led me to discover these jewels:

From a dear friend who has battled the long fight against Lyme disease. She writes:

I am extremely blessed to be surrounded by so many that love us and know how to fight life’s battles through prayer at the throne of grace. I have purpose.

Life is short… whatever frustrates our thoughts today probably isn’t worth it. Live big and love much. You have purpose.

From a writer friend, she writes in her Tuesday blog:

The things spinning and unraveling for you can derail you. Or they can teach you the nature of God. Your questions, your doubt, your anger—they can force distance between you and God. But if you let them, they’ll crack you open in ways that give God access. (I have the link below for you to this post from my friend, Twyla Franz.)

And from a dear friend who sends out daily encouragements, scriptures and wisdom, said this week:

Ask Him to help you and trust Him to do it. Be patient. Refuse to worry. Don’t get anxious as you wait. Just let go… be swept along. Watch Him work out the details for the best time and the best way for you!

Thank you friends for your good words. And thank you God for sending them at just the right time.

And then there is the matter of God’s calling on your life and His purpose just for you. I read a great book about this years ago by Os Guinness. In it, he says,

God’s call is God’s word to each of us, powerful, precious and deeply personal.

The Call Finding and Fulfilling God’s Purpose for Your Life.

I’ve provided you the link below. Please take a look if you need direction concerning your God-given purpose.

Wednesday in the Word

“Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble.” Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 NLT

“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.” Psalm 145:1

Share Your Good Words

Good Questions of the Week: What’s been your journey toward understanding your purpose? How do you know what your calling is? How are you living that out?

Good Unseen People

Photo: She Is Safe

The following excerpt is from a story that will be included in my upcoming book, Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life with Your Neighbors and the Nations. Click the link below to see the progress of the book.

It all boils down to, (not just because I feel like I would explode if I didn’t get words from my head to my fingers and to the keyboard or my journal) … it’s a calling. God equips us all with unique gifts. Sometimes those gifts are not seen in a traditional job, but come out through nurturing children, or encouraging senior adults or making a cozy home for your family….. That’s where I find myself today… My calling… My Why… People are hungry for hope… it fills me with great joy to send my words out into the world and both the hungry people and me are filled and satisfied.

What is your Why??

Read the whole story: This Is My Why

Good Words I Recommend

A Good Blog: When You Can't See How God's Good Right Now, Twyla Franz

Another Good Blog: Worthy of Grace - Don't Give Up

And Another Good Blog: This Is Why I'm Here

So what is the answer to my question? Why am I here? Is it to be a writer? Or a missions leader? A wife, mother and grandmother? Or to be an advocate for abused and exploited women and girls.

The answer is Yes! Yes to all of the above. But ultimately, I am here on this earth to know God (the Voice) and to make Him known — through my verbal and written words, through my travels throughout the world, through nurturing my family and through listening to stories of Indonesian women and girls and telling their stories to you.

It’s why I’m here.

A Good Book: Why am I here? What is God's call in my life? How do I fit God's call with my own individuality? How should God's calling affect my career, my plans for the future, and my concepts of success? The Call: Finding and Fulfilling God's Purpose for Your Life by Os Guinness

Some of the links above are associate links. That means, when you click and purchase, I receive a small percentage of that sale. Those funds, as well as funds from paid subscribers, support my writing this piece each week. Thank you! I commit to forwarding a minimum of 10% to the amazing nonprofits: She Is Safe and The Red Cord. They help raise awareness of sex trafficking. They help prevent, rescue and restore victims to new life.

A Final Good Word

I know that ultimately, our God-given purpose is to glorify, worship and enjoy Him. Forever. How do we do that? How do you do that?

I do that through private worship (prayer, scripture reading, solitude, journaling); corporate worship with the body of believers at my local church and the church globally (singing, prayer, giving, studying and hearing God’s Word.) And just being quiet and still and soaking in His creation.

What are your thoughts on calling, purpose, and worshipping in the wait?

I’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to share with me whatever is on your heart today. Please share:

Contact me privately: deannalynnsanders@gmail.com.

Thank you for taking your time to read my words. And if you would, please share a good word with someone today. Invite others into our Good Word community.

Gratefully yours,