I believe that organized religion puts way too much burden on people with questions like; What is my purpose? What is my calling? At least for me, Just pondering these types of questions is a really weighty endeavor, and frankly, one that I don’t need to worry about. Life is hard enough with the COVID19 pandemic raging, social distancing, facemasks, and all that goes with it.
For the sake of transparency, I will say that I do have a serious distrust of “church” and “religion”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great for others, just not for me. I prefer a more direct approach. I am, a follower of Jesus, in a Christcentric relationship with God, and for me, I don’t want or need a filter between me, and God.
Recently, I have had a revelation that our purpose or calling in life is strictly transactional, it does not have to be grand, or glamorous, or anything like that, and in most cases, it’s not.
Consider this, one day about a year ago my wife, Patria came home and told me about an older man who was homeless, and living outside of an auto mechanics shop that we both know. It was cold then as well. I knew what I had to do right then…I did not even think about it, I just acted right away. As soon as she told me about him, I immediately went into our room, pulled out a large soft-sided suitcase thingy, and filled it with clothes, sweatshirts, tee shirts, jeans, underwear, socks, shoes, toiletries, etc. I stuffed it. (you get the idea).
My wife and I, also know a woman, a good friend who has a foundation to help the homeless, the problem is it takes a few days to get the help and services that Steve (That’s his name) would need, She was going to go over there and talk to him, as well as bring him some food and water, and my wife was going to meet her there as well.
I handed her the bag and asked her to give it to him, and off she went. Now, I believe that at “that moment” that was my purpose or calling in life. Sure it was a small thing for me, as I have lots of clothes and the money to buy them and Steve basically had nothing and was living outside. This kind of thing has happened in my life several times and I am sure that similar things have happened to you as well.
How about that time that you saw the homeless man out in the cold and you bought him/her a hamburger and a hot coffee? At that monent, that was your purpose.
Or lastly, how about that time you saw the woman in front of you in line at the grocery store struggling to count change to buy her groceries and you stepped up and told the cashier, I got this? That was your purpose as well.
Now, when you ask yourself what is my calling? It’s basically as Jesus said to love one another as we love ourselves. If your actions would contribute to someones’ well being, shows compassion, and mercy, then you know that is exactly what God is calling you to do, right now.
So, if you think about it, if our calling is transactional then our job is just to look, listen, and answer the call.
As Always,
I am, Tom Dye, The Safety Guy
