Made For This
And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5
INSIGHT
Watching my child’s joyous reactions when opening up their gifts on Christmas mornings are memories I truly cherish. But, I would be lying if I don’t think fondly of Christmas morning before kids. There was none of this waking up before the crack of dawn nonsense. No one squealing with excitement and hitting you with pillows to jolt you from your slumber. You were able to wake up “early” (somewhere between 9 and 10 a.m.), brew a cup of coffee, open presents at your leisure and then relax in your pajamas all day while you binge-watch “A Christmas Story” marathon happening on TNT.
Now, with that said, I can’t blame my kids for their excitement. After all, they know what is waiting for them underneath the tree. The sooner they get out of bed, the sooner opening gifts can begin. As we’ve been reflecting on unexpected peace this week, I’ve been wrestling with a question: What motivates me to get out of bed in the morning?
I believe the answers go much deeper than realizing that every day we are given is a display of God’s grace and we shouldn’t take it for granted. Neither is it completely found in some version of carpe diem where we seize the day and make every moment count. Even though they are true, these pictures in and of themselves are short-sighted. What I am speaking about is understanding why God created and wired you the way that He did.
From time to time, we catch glimpses of the answer. They are found in moments when our hearts come alive and we catch ourselves saying, “I was made for this!” Sometimes those moments are big, other times not so much. Each one requires us to pay attention. It involves uncovering our gifts, talents, and passions as well as recognizing opportunities to use them to influence others and make a lasting impact.
Unlocking this insight doesn’t guarantee an easy life. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Finding your unique purpose requires a great deal of courage on your part and likely some sacrifice. Everything in you will want to stay underneath the warm covers known as comfort and convenience and continue to hit the snooze button. It’s only when you know the gift that awaits you on the other side of your pillow that you are willing to hop out of bed and face the day ahead.
REFLECTION
What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning? What are the activities that you engage in that cause you to feel most alive? Where do you catch yourself saying, “I was made for this?”
PRAYER
God, Your mercies are new every morning. Each day that there is air in my lungs is a display of Your generosity and grace. Yet, You didn’t create me to just leave me be. You invite me to play a part in the epic story You are telling. You give me a role and a purpose. You give me the responsibility of loving and serving others. Let this be what motivates and defines my life. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.