Derived Purpose

Matthew 25:14-19

Do you believe there is purpose in everything that happens to you and around you? Do you believe that God uses every experience? Do you believe that every person alive has a purpose? Then you are referring to Romans 8:28 which states, "And we know all things work together for good to those who are the called according to His purpose."  If you do indeed believe this to be true and read the last Get Your JOY In The Morning on "Highs and Lows," then you will understand what I am about to share.

In our time together last, I shared about my recent lows. Well there was one more low to arrive the day after Thanksgiving and the day prior to my classmate's home going service. The fourth person in the month of November had passed on, once again, cancer. The irony, it would make the ninth passing in the 2018 calendar year of those whose lives had crossed my path. I'm not talking over the two years, you all are not ready for those numbers.  I remember when I was first introduced to "Jess" by her then boyfriend who would later become her husband. 'Jess," had a beautiful and bright smile that I cannot forget. I saw her, her boyfriend and the family every week for a period of years. We also traveled together. Though I knew this loss was coming as her husband posted about the waiting, I just didn't realize it would be so soon. My heart goes out to the family.

In processing my grief, I had a reality check. I shared some realizations for you before, but let me break this down for you in numbers. Out of the nine people who have passed this year, three were blood relatives, all on separate sides of my family ranging from ages 53-92. The remaining were friends, classmates, former co-workers and associates. Of the nine, five were between the ages of 30-47. Does this now bring more relevance to what I shared in the last post?  I am not attempting to focus on the morbid but to focus on the reality and importance of understanding and following YOUR GOD given purpose. I'm also here to focus on the fact that death is not a respecter of age. Many of you know from the book, Get Your JOY In The Morning, that I was on my way to joining the numbers ten years ago of those who would pass on at an early age, approaching the age of 33. My solace and my drive, comes from the knowledge and faith that I asked GOD for more time so that I could live out and do what HE called me to do. He came to collect on that promise one calendar year later to the month. Hence the devotionals you read and all the things that have come thereafter.

You have spiritual gifts, also known as charismatic gifts, if you have received the Holy Spirit upon your acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You also have talents that GOD has placed in you that may or may not be developed. The parable of the talents is in the scripture referenced at the beginning. Yes, it refers to money. But also symbolizes the gifts you have been given. If you know Proverbs 18:16 and Jeremiah 29:11 (look them up), then you will understand GOD has already mapped out a plan for your life. You just have to be willing to seek HIM out, that you may discover the gifts and talents. Why I am sharing this with you? Some of the people that have gone on in the last two years were found in purpose when the Lord called their name. The prophetic dream I had 27 years ago, showed a lot of what I see now, but again, no faces. Part of my purpose and that of what GOD has called me and those with me, through Get Your JOY In The Morning! LLC to do, is to reinforce, the necessity of finding YOUR GOD given purpose. It's especially for those who are considered to be young. Is this making sense to you now? How long will you wait? When the Lord calls your name to come home, will HE find you in purpose?