In Pursuit of Purpose - The Cure for the Common Life

Anyone who is a reader of this blog (or just knows me) understands that I (like everyone, I'm sure) struggle with finding my purpose. I've always subscribed to the particular notion that there is a juxtaposition of passion, vocation, and fulfillment out there for me and I simply must find it.

It started with basing my pursuits solely on my intellect, then my capacity for wealth generation, and finally in pursuit of my own happiness. Yet with each job change and career shift, I was left yearning, searching, crying out for something different, something more. What I didn't realize at the time, but I do looking back is that I maintained control and hand-picked each job without consulting the big guy. I lacked trust, and I wanted to do things my way, for my glory.

In the midst of this, though, He was at work with each previous position preparing me in both experience and aptitude for one that would follow. The whole time, God was in control and he was and is slowly steering me toward the light, if you will. A lifelong journey, I've only recently begun relinquishing my white knuckle grip on my life.

Yet, I still don't know what this looks like and means in my life, and I'm becoming increasingly content with not seeking specific answers and forcing myself into rigid timelines. God's timing is his own, and my trust, faith, and obedience is all he desires. I don't know if the sun will rise tomorrow, but I know for certain that God is good, he is faithful, and he loves me.

Knowing my struggles, my aunt bought me Lucado's The Cure for the Common Life several years ago, but in true Alex fashion, I procrastinated reading it and forgot about it until last year. When I did, it knocked my freakin' socks off! It just really resonated with my struggles and personal growth. The basic idea is that we all have a Sweet Spot, essentially a juxtaposition of our own personal giftedness in certain areas, our likes and interests, and God's plan for our lives. What, Mr. Lucado?! Because that is like my Holy Grail! All along I'd been so busy trying to figure out what it was that I was SUPPOSED to be doing that I completely missed the point. My Sweet Spot would be found it what I was already most likely doing.

I can't paraphrase the whole thing, and it is a wonderful book for those struggling with their purpose (so just go buy it already...), but the gist is that the things that you chose to do and liked to do and garnered praise from (i.e. did well) as a child are essentially your golden ticket to happiness as an adult. For me, this did not mean that my sisters and I would be carnies (long story), but I would most likely be writing.

From the time I could write, it was in stories. My drawings were all based on the elaborate fantasies I carried out in my head. People sought my help with their papers, their resumes, and my college English professor even BEGGED me to switch from a Business Major into the English Department. With the help of this book, I began to see a pattern emerge.

However, acting out in faith and living "the good life" can be two very different things, especially because the "good life" according to God is markedly different than the "good life" of this world. Also, to be very clear, your purpose will probably not be tied in with any wishes for bigger houses and nicer cars. While those may come as a result, those aren't necessarily the goals we're talking about.

As I seek opportunities to write more, know more about who I am as a writer, as a Christ follower, I am shown that who I am in the world's eyes may wreak havoc on my steadfastness. Since I'm starting to realize that I'm meant to be writing, I've explored Masters programs in Creative Writing, but it just doesn't seem right. God is showing me that I may try to plan my way, but He'll direct my steps (Proverbs 16:9). I don't need a fancy degree to serve God and live out my purpose.

In that acting out in faith, I've been taking a Bible class through Village Schools of the Bible. It's intense! Participants dive into the Bible in three separate 12-week courses. Once the class is complete, though, you'll have read the entire thing, written numerous papers on each section and participated in some of the most thought-provoking, faith-affirming, and awe-inspiring discussions of your life. This is definitely not church, people!

Through that, I've decided to begin sharing my papers on this blog as a means of sharing them with the world at large. If I'm meant to write, I'm meant to write, and producing content that may be shared and found is part of that. (As is opening myself up for critique, criticism, and just all out vulnerability, which is the scary part).

But, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, so here's to an uncommon life!