Aimless or Purpose-Driven?

We all probably have those introspective moments where we consider our future. Have you ever asked yourself if you are where you are supposed to be? Is this the career path you are supposed to follow? Is this the relationship you are to be involved in? Is this the best you can do, or is there more? We all take time on occasion to consider those questions, but the truth of the matter is it doesn't matter where we are, God can meet us right where we are. We don't have to be this or that, get here or there, or accomplish this or something else. God meets us right where we are right here and now - coming to us long before we even realize he has drawn near. The important thing to remember is that God isn't as concerned about where we believe we should be, but rather are where he wants us to be.

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8)

Where does God want you to be? Chances are where you and I are 'at' right now is exactly where he wants us to be - in his hands, under his wing, and filled with his grace. That is the perfect place to be, after all. No career, relationship, or 'best thing' we could pursue will ever outweigh the placement of being under his care. God has us where he wants us - not to scrutinize our lives and hold our feet to the fire - but to lavish grace upon grace in our lives. That may be hard one to swallow for some of us who were raised rather 'religious' - always feeling like we had to accomplish or do something to get into God's good graces. The reality is that we 'get into God's good graces' through Jesus Christ and no other way.

Imagine for a moment being kind of aimless. You find yourself just drifting along - kind of like a cloud high up in the sky - the wind carrying you wherever it wants. Some might look upon your life and see a 'free' person, able to do whatever is desired, going this way or that, but they fail to see the wind that drives you across the sky totally without control of where you will end up. Freedom isn't aimlessness - it gives purpose and direction to our lives. Yes, there is an ease at which you move, but it is because of what drives you, not because of anything you are doing yourself. In Christ, we become 'purpose-driven' individuals - the 'wind' of the Holy Spirit actually 'driving' our lives further and further into God's grace.

We aren't aimless - we just may not always fully know where we are headed! I know the general direction of my life, but do I know what tomorrow holds? No, not at all. I think I will go to work as usual, making my way across the twelve miles of roadways into the parking garage and then walk that last block into the building. If something is going to stop me in my tracks along that route and I don't make it to work, can I possibly know that today? I might have an 'inkling' that something weird is about to happen, but I don't know the future because only God knows that. Does that make my life 'aimless' - no it makes it a 'faith-walk'. 

Purpose-driven lives are 'grace-driven' lives. They are being where God wants us - right there in the center of his grace, being 'driven' by his purposes and plans. Where are we driven? Into the storm? Into the wide-open spaces? We know not, but we can trust God to continue to lavish his graces upon us whether it be in the midst of the brewing storm or the wide-open peace-filled spaces. Just sayin!