"If we are not content with where our life is at this point, we can choose a path to discover more. We can choose to cry out to the God who made us, for wisdom and direction." Kathy Spampinato

Life is a journey of discovery. During childhood we are exploring who we are and how our world works. We are learning about family, people, and God. We are slowly choosing the direction of our life, yet with little awareness of the process. Our environment is teaching us many things beyond the math and reading from school. It is giving us a mindset and a direction, and many patterns are being set. We have reacted to situations, to circumstances, and to people. We have discovered what interests us and sometimes, where our own strengths lie. We have developed lots of defense mechanisms to deal with the negative words and actions of our experience, and these too have contributed to our worldview and our understanding of ourselves and of God.

Fortunately, our learning path does not stop in childhood. We have an opportunity to continue to discover who we are and where we want to go in life. Sometimes we live without direction and just let life take us where it will for a time. I would like to suggest that we can choose a direction and a plan. If we are not content with where our life is at this point, we can choose a path to discover more. We can choose to cry out to the God who made us, for wisdom and direction. We can enter the path of discovery with a guide and companion in God. Do we trust God to lead us in the way we should go or do we want to steer our own course? Let’s take a look at some scripture for insight. These words may be well known, but we can take a fresh look at where they lead us.

Jeremiah 29:11,13a ESV “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes.”

We could be letting our direction come to us from entertainment, friends, finding the love of our lives, or the pursuit of happiness. Our life path could be focused on job promotion, education, home and family, building a business, or just on having fun. Each of these things deserves your attention but the God of the universe says He has a plan for you. He wants you to seek Him to discover the hope and the future that will bring blessings and fulfillment. He put potential within you and gifted you to find fulfillment in His purpose. He would like to guide you and light the path for you. Can you be a better guide than He? Here are some words of Jesus to inspire us.

John 15:4-5 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me, I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 16:12-13, 33 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you things that are to come.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus is telling us that the world we live in will bring us difficulty. Our lives will not be without struggle, and at times we will be pressed to find direction or a solution. Yet, we are not without hope, because He holds a future and a hope for us and longs for us to connect with Him. Are you living your life aimlessly or do you have a purpose that brings joy, energy and direction? With the Holy Spirit as our guide, we can discover who we are in Christ. We will gain insight into the character of God and learn that we are more than we thought we were, as we reflect Him. We can heal from the scars of life and grow to trust in the lover of our souls. Our purpose is to reflect His character and show His glory. Many of the activities of our lives will not change, but the character of our hearts will. To abide means to stay with and to dwell with. Jesus is asking us to stay with Him and live our lives with Him and in Him. That is the path that leads to fruitfulness and success. Our purpose is found in Christ and the power of His resurrection in us. Draw near my friend, and you too can find the power and purpose that brings fulfillment to you.