Do You Know Your Purpose? Part One

The bumble bee buzzed from flower to flower, never staying more than a few moments at each. He¹ would stop and consider one flower, either make a move, or head to the next. Though there were plenty of things to distract him, he never strayed, the whole time I watched.

I stood inches from him, taking photographs. Squirrels played and foraged a few feet away. Birds ate from our feeders next to the flowers. If it had been like any other normal late Spring day, someone was probably cutting their lawn nearby. Yet, the steadfast bee continued his work. Consider the next flower. Make a move or head to the next. On and on.

Consider your average day. If your day is like mine, I’m sure there are distractions all around. Just like that bumble bee, distractions vie for our attention on all fronts. See if these resonate with you.

Someone calls with a need. Could be a family member or friend. Might be they need your expertise or just your vehicle. Maybe that organization you volunteer with continues to find things for you to do. At just your busiest time. Or you take a walk around the house and find something that needs attention—not in a few years—now. You either have to take measurements, research materials, purchase them, and do the repairs, or you have to make the calls to get someone else to do it. These don’t even take into account those hobbies you profess to enjoy that require time, energy, and money to keep up.

That list only took up a short paragraph, a few sentences. But it can represent a few hours or many days of your attention. You could knock them out with little effort or become exhausted and still not get them done. Spend a few dollars or a month’s pay.

The bumble bee knew his purpose.

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His goal was to find flowers with pollen and accumulate that pollen until it was time to take it to the nest. Despite the many distractions, he fulfilled that purpose.

Moses knew his purpose.

God gave Moses his purpose pretty clearly. “And now come, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:10, NASB) Even with Pharaoh’s distractions and continual resistance, Moses pursued his purpose.

Joseph knew his purpose.

God led Joseph through many distractions including, but not limited to being the recipient of hatred, abuse, and imprisonment. Still, Joseph revealed his purpose to his brothers. “For God sent me ahead of you to ensure for you a remnant on the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.” (Genesis 45:7)

Paul knew his purpose.

Paul had no doubt as to his purpose. Though distracted by imprisonment, beatings, hunger, and shipwrecks, Paul never lost sight of his purpose. “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8)

Next week I want to talk about finding that purpose for you. Before we get there, I’d love to know, do you know your purpose?

Today’s feature photo comes from a “photo-a-day” challenge I pursued several years ago. The photo inspires the topic. For me, the posts challenge my creativity, writing discipline, and dependence on God for His message. My prayer is that you find hope in God’s Word, and that you’ll share your hope with others.

¹The bee could have been female. I didn’t bother to determine that at the time (as if I could).