My good friend, Sue Moore recently started a ministry to help women involved with men who are addicted to pornography or who have succumbed to aberrant and immoral behaviors. From a faith-based perspective, she helps these women overcome their own issues which lead them to continually attract these types of men. Many times the women themselves “act out” because they are so lonely and need a man so badly that they abandon their own moral standards to fill the void in their lives. ( www.forgivenmuch.net )
As she’s pursued this course that she feels God is calling her to, she’s found some unsettling situations. Some of the women discover that their men are involved in even more degenerate and illegal activities. Thus my friend realized she needed legal advice to properly handle her role and point women toward a proper course of action when these crimes are discovered.
Sue stopped by my house the day she realized her mission was leading her farther down the rabbit hole than she’d ever imagined. The lights were going on and she was seeing just how vast her mission is and just how heavy Satan’s grip is upon the world. I immediately thought of another friend who is an attorney. Her passion is to help children who are being abused. The connection was obvious and a few days later the three of us met at a local café and I introduced them to each other.
As I sat there listening to them discuss the seedier side of moral behavior and its sickening impact on women and children, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for three things.
- First, I was grateful for these two women who have such a passion to reach out and help those lost in the pits of despair.
- Second, with each passing moment I felt immensely grateful that my calling wasn’t their calling. I have absolutely no desire to deal with these horrible issues.
- Third I felt incredibly blessed not to have experienced these things firsthand in my own life.
The events, situations and examples they described were more than I wanted to hear, much less wanted to be involved with on a day-to-day basis. Yet, my friends have the fortitude and ability to deal with it. God has blessed and strengthened them in that regard. He has “wonderfully and fearfully made” them to be able to fulfill their own unique calling and help others who need His help so desperately (Psalm 139:14).
When I came home after dinner with my friends, I got into bed and told my husband how grateful I am that I don’t feel called to deal with the horrors that my friends must address. My husband, who doesn’t know these women as I do, made a comment that gave me pause. He said, “Maybe they aren’t called to do that. Maybe they just want to do it.”
My mind raced through the hours I’ve spent with my friends, and I knew my husband was mistaken on this point. “No,” I said. “They are. It is what they are here to do.” I have no doubt about that fact. Why? Because they desire to do it like a bird desires to fly or as a lion desires to roar. They can’t NOT do it… it is such a part of them that it cannot be denied.
In that moment I realized something pivotal about life purpose and missions. Desire is a sure indicator of your mission. If you have desires to serve God, you are called to the work! I believe that we are each here for a reason and that reason is to serve and bless others in the way that only we can. My friends both had life experiences that make them ideally suited to help women and children who struggle. They have walked that lonely road of despair themselves and their past, along with their gifts, make them ideally suited to lift others.
As God told Jeremiah, He tells them, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee” [to fulfill your mission] (Jeremiah 1:5).
So, I ask you… have you found your purpose? Have you discovered your burning desire yet? When you allow yourself to dream big, how do you see yourself reaching out to serve others? What righteous course do you feel compelled to pursue? Does it excite you? Does it bring you joy? Is it a deep desire of your heart that consumes your thoughts and dreams?
You may not have even started to pursue your purpose yet. It may just be an inkling, a small desire. Here’s the way to get your thoughts flowing. Finish this statement, “If I were rich and didn’t have to work, I’d help others by ….” What does that blank say for you? What would you do to make the world a better place if you were brave, if money were no object, if time were no consideration, and if your critics were silenced?
Once you have your answer, start looking for ways you can reach out and live your purpose. Start small. Start where you are. Not everyone creates a ministry. My friend helped people she casually came in contact with for a decade before God brought her to this place where it’s what she does fulltime. Some of us may never go fulltime with our “callings” and that’s all right. We’re in the world for a reason — to salt it, to serve, to interact with others, and to bloom where we’re planted.
Remember, where there is desire, there is power. If you have desires to serve God, you are called to the work! Go forward and serve Him with all your heart, might, mind and strength. There is no greater joy.
