Purpose

Two of the most important days of your life are the day you were born, and the day you find your purpose. I was born on November 24, 1943. I found my purpose on April 2, 2015, exactly 25,590 days after my birth.

After 40 days of praying that God would show me my purpose, the Lord revealed it to me: sharing my testimony with the world through my writing. I’ve written my testimonies in numerous books and articles, many of which have been published on Amazon, The Saints Herald, and in Veterans Voices magazine. These publications are available throughout the world, and I continue to write and distribute them as a witness of God’s love and mercy, and a witness of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. I plan to continue this ministry for as long as I live, God willing.

Every day I wear a necklace and cross, a gift from my oldest daughter Rachelle, to remind me of my life’s purpose of witnessing for Christ. It keeps me on the right track, and it helps me remember that I am a disciple of the Lord, who died on a cross for me and for all of us. He is the one I follow. He is the one who gave me life and who continues to light my way. It is the greatest honor I have to be able to share his story and his love with everyone I encounter, in words both written and spoken, and hopefully by the way I live. I know I often fall short of his expectations, but I keep praying and trying to do better each day. This gives me the greatest joy and happiness I have ever known.

We are all children of God, and we all fall short of his glory. But his love and forgiveness are eternally ours. All we need is to receive him into our hearts and live the best we can each day. That is our challenge and our opportunity, and the reason we are here on earth—to learn all we can about giving and receiving love, in preparation for the life which is to come, eternal life with our Creator.

Pastor Rick Warren in his book, The Purpose-Driven Life, a Bible study book about our reason for being, reminds us that our purpose in life can be seen in five ways:

Purpose #1: You Were Planned for God's Pleasure (Christian Worship)

Purpose #2: You Were Formed for God's Family (Christian Church)

Purpose #3: You Were Created to Become Like Christ (Discipleship)

Purpose #4: You Were Shaped for Serving God (Christian Ministry)

Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission (Christian mission)

What is your mission in life? I hope and pray that you will find your purpose and your mission, for in that you will know true contentment and happiness. May God bless us every one. In Jesus’ name, amen.