By the time you read this, I’ll already be on the other side of the world, and although I had every intention of getting two more Summer Reset posts rolled out, I’ve had to put them on hold until July. At the same time I’m traveling, many of my colleagues and students are also traveling to remote parts of the world, expending valuable time, talents and resources toward a greater purpose, beyond the classroom.
If you’ve spent any time questioning your own purpose, I hope you’ll be encouraged and challenged to seek out the depths of your passion and intention by first seeking out God’s greater purpose.
It’s late afternoon, exams are finally over, and the last grade report has been dispersed. Most students have returned home for the summer, but many are still buzzing through the building, packing as many medical supplies as will fit in every luggage nook and cranny for our summer mission trips. Because one less capsule or syringe or bandage means one less life to impact.
This is where their intention meets their passion.
Their goal is to treat as many people as possible in several remote, third-world countries and pour out the love of God in the midst of such poverty and illness.
Turning someone away is never a choice anyone wants to make. Even in this counting and packing, the knowledge of illness far outweighing medicine is an unspoken reality. The eager expectation for God to multiply is a necessary part of the equation – and this alone is enough.
Afterall, when does God ever disappoint?
When does God ever not answer the heart-cry of those desperate to make Him known?
We spend the entire year gathering supplies for the body and even more time praying for the souls. For protection, provision and life change in both the giver and the receiver. The trips are never void of the unexpected. Yet it is in the unexpected that God is most visible and powerful.
Isn’t that what we all long for? To see God working and changing and shaping?
But it rarely occurs easily, not without chiseling and scraping away the residue life and choices leave behind.
As they board the planes, they are fully aware that the medical impact may only be temporary. The most medicine which can be dispensed is a 30 day supply, and this is just a bandage over such oppressive suffering. In all of these trips, the earnest prayer for healing is met with the overwhelming faith in a greater purpose.
For many, it’s a first…a sobering wrestling to reconcile a God of love with a world of hurt.
Reconciling begins in realizing the bridge that spans the gap is “a greater purpose.” And upon return, the stories bubbling over amidst tears and joys will give testimony to this truth. God always has a greater purpose. The truth is that our purpose lies in His greater purpose-for us and for others.
We aren’t called to understand or even agree. We are only called to trust, and to trust enough to step out into just this…His greater purpose.
This prayer keeps our emotions grounded in the joy to come and not in the discomfort or pain of now. The embracing of His greater purpose ushers in peace to hearts longing for answers when all of life leaves us questioning our value and our purpose. When the pieces of our life aren’t pretty or even whole. When nothing around us makes sense and getting through one more day is a challenge.
And if we know this greater purpose is rooted in a love consuming, then there is only one appropriate response – to pour out the same. Because in the pouring out, we are again filled and equipped.
They won’t be able to solve or heal every condition; that’s not the ultimate goal. But they will bring relief, and it will be enough.
It will be enough to show Jesus. Enough to allow God to do His work, through every tender hand-hold, soothing word and compassionate smile. Through every intercessory prayer offered in a foreign tongue, if even in just one heart…it will be enough.
His greater purpose is always enough.
Sharing our #blogs on #FreshMarketFriday #linkup! When we need reminding that God never disappoints. #purpose #hope Share on X
Just For You…
The SOUL-HOPE CAFE is a place created exclusively just for you – a quiet little corner full of free gifts for you, where you can download all of our PRINTABLES, FRAMEABLES and INTENTIONAL LIFE TOOLS designed to sprinkle hope throughout your daily life.