Genesis 5:18-20
“When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters.Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.”

Considering the short amount of time we have on this earth, many spend most of our time working, accumulating wealth, then spending, thus an ongoing weekly or monthly cycle repeats. During moments of free-time, we make memories with loved ones, entertain ourselves or go on new adventures. In the midst of the cyclical redundancies in life, we look for purpose. Surely life is not about toiling and spending. There should be deep purpose in life, a calling or compelling from God to do something. It may not be what we feel comfortable doing, in fact, it may seem dreadful. For instance, God told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh to announce God’s judgement to the people, but he decided not to listen.

But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. Jonah 1:3

As Jonah was asleep on the ship, a mighty wind came about to break it in half. They feared the wrath of God and Jonah knew it was he who brought the storm upon the ship due to his disobedience so he was thrown over, then swallowed by a fish, which most count as a whale. In the darkness, he turned to the Lord in repentance and prayed. Eventually, he reached the shore of Nineveh as he was released from the belly of the fish. He did as God told him to do, telling the people to repent of their wicked ways and that is what happened. Because the people of Nineveh repented, God’s hand of wrath was turned away.

Most of the times, the calling can involve mental, emotional or physical battles that make you want to give up, cancel or turn away like Jonah. Which is why it is important to listen and allow the Spirit of the Living God to lead and not to be led by your flesh.

Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Having others to pray with, study the word of God with can make a huge difference in one’s spiritual journey. God created us for community. When Jesus walked the earth ministering to others, he called 12 other men to join him. God did not create us to be alone. He created Eve for Adam to have a companion. Considering the importance of healthy relationships with others, I started a bible study group. It was something to help me in my spiritual walk with the consideration of other women who also need fellowship as well. Before each study, I would always go through some physical or emotional attack, which would make me want to cancel every time, but that’s exactly what the enemy of God wants so I stuck through it and I have always been surprised by how God works. There’s over a dozen people on the notification list and it amazes me how God has certain people show up that connect very well with each other. Then another group shows up on another week that connect in different ways than the previous group. At each bible study session, I see God at work.

Not all callings of duty from God involve some enormous shaking of a nation, but we all have a part in this world, even if it seems so little. God will bless the fruit, the sacrifice of time, the physical effort or the finances. The important part is that it’s done unto God, not for our own gain or recognition.

At work, it’s collaboration with a large team of various knowledge and skills. We all come together for the purpose of bringing a project to fruition. Although the structure may last for decades, what’s physical, visual or tactile is not everlasting. When our physical body dies and our spirit leaves, we will not be taking any money gold, car, jewelry, or house with us.

Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

We were born into this world naked with nothing in our hands and we leave with nothing.

Genesis 3:9 says, “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”

Although there’s a goal at work to come together for the physical manifestation of a structure which seems big, but there’s a greater purpose that is everlasting when it comes from God.

Prayer: Lord help me to find my purpose in your kingdom. Show me your ways. Show me your will for my life and give me strength, courage and peace with the ability to carry it out. Amen!