Finding Meaning in Uncertainty
"What’s my purpose at work?” someone recently asked. I get it. So much is in flux, and the future right now is uncertain. A lot of us feel disoriented with life. Many of our constants are either gone, uncertain, or at the very least, unsettled. Some of you are not sure where your job is going in the months ahead, or if you will even still have one. Family life has changed. We have lost touch with many of our community activities (much of which have been based on school and church). We don’t see extended family like we used to. And we’ve completely lost touch with a lot of friends. Trying to maintain friendships on social media has become a bust, as Facebook and Twitter have become war zones.So this guy’s question in regards to his job, applies to the whole of our lives. If I can’t do the things I used to love doing, what’s my purpose?That’s really the question of the ages. Mankind has always struggled to figure out the "whys" of life. Why am I here? What am I supposed to be doing? When we face a troublesome time, the question gets louder.Perhaps, had we settled that question before COVID, the massive changes in our lives would not have hit us this hard. Because this guy who wanted to know what his purpose at work was, wouldn't need to ask that question in all of the chaos brought on by COVID, had he settled that question with the right answer before.And knowing your purpose is a big deal. Gallup recently reported that 70% of American workers do not really know what their purpose at work is, and 70% of the American workforce report being disengaged from their jobs. It also appears to be the case for moms and dads, community leaders, politicians, and hobbyists. People without purpose become aimless and unfulfilled. They wind up forcing themselves into different activities and/or causes, often jumping restlessly from one to the next, because they are in search of something to give their lives meaning.Your purpose in life is not to be a boss, an electrician, a mom or dad, a teacher, or even a pastor. Seeking fulfillment from any of these good things will entertain you for a while, but will not provide meaning. Fulfilling your real purpose is the only thing that can do that.So what is your purpose?To answer that, we have to ask, “Why would God make us? Or anything, for that matter?” Why did God make you? Colossians 1:16 settles it, “All things have been created by Him and for Him” (NASB).Not only did God create you, he created you for him, so that he could enjoy you. You were made for him. Your purpose is to fulfill that, to bring pleasure to God. I love the way the old King James Version translated Revelation 4:11. It is a scene in heaven of God’s people worshipping him and declaring, “Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."That’s why you were created.Now, if you go to work with that in mind, interact with your kids, spouse, extended family, and/or friends, thinking first and foremost of that goal, to please God in all you say and do, it will not matter how uncertain your job is, your future is, or where things in this world are going. You will still find inner stability, peace, and fulfillment, because you are fulfilling your purpose. Jesus told us that the two greatest commandments are to first love God, and then to love others. It does not matter where you are or how things are, if you do that, you will know meaning, fulfillment, and joy. Because you will be who you were created to be. You will fulfill your purpose.