Opportunities arise every day for us to discover ‘purpose’ in our everyday lives. I strongly believe, purpose is not something that is presented to us in neon lights; rather it is uncovered day-by-day, piece-by-piece.
In a previous blog post, “ 9 Keys To Uncovering Your Purpose”, I listed ‘Seeking God’ as the number one key. We cannot be self-seeking if we desire to uncover God’s purpose in our lives.
When we are self-consumed, focusing only on our daily agenda, we are sure to miss what I call, ‘God opportunities’. Those moments throughout our day, when we get to become an extension of God’s love in some way.
40 Minutes to Purpose…
It was a beautiful day in San Diego California; I was driving my car down a stretch of roadway between the Beach and my home. Just as I was approaching a very busy intersection, I down shifted, only to find that I could no longer get the car into gear. I moved the gear shifter in all directions. Despite my efforts, the gears would NOT engage! GREAT…I was now stuck in the turn lane of a very busy intersection.
I immediately put on the hazard lights, turned off the car, reached for my cell phone, and proceed to get out of my car. Simultaneously, apologizing to the man in the car behind me who was now also stuck.
Not only had my car broken down, my cell phone was dead too. Could things get any worse?
I began to pray for God to send someone along my path with a cell phone. A few minutes later I looked up the street and a young woman was headed my way. She had her earbuds in and was jamming to something on her cell phone, oblivious to my dilemma.
I did what any women in distress would do, I politely stepped in front of her in an attempt to get her attention. She then stopped and I explained my problem and ask to use her phone to place a call to my husband.
She kindly let me use her phone. Upon reaching my husband, I shared my predicament and gave him my location. He assured me he would be on his way and would call for a tow truck.
I thanked the lady and she walked off.
As I watched her walk away, it was apparent I had no further means of communicating with my husband or the tow truck driver. I was stranded on the side of a busy roadway without my cell phone. (Oh… what did we do before cell phones?)
I began to pray. Praying for a policeman to drive by, praying someone would stop and ask if I needed any assistance, praying no one would slam into the back of my car.
As time went on, no policeman, no Good Samaritan, no tow truck and my husband still had not arrived.
Eventually, after waiting patiently for 40 minutes, both my husband and the tow truck arrived.
Thankfully, my disabled car did not cause an accident. My car is now in the shop and I am safely home.
After awhile, I sat still with the Lord and asked an all too familiar question… “Lord, what was that all about?” (I have learned over the years, God does not waste any opportunity to teach ME something.)
His reply…40 minutes to purpose.
What? 40 minutes to purpose, what do you mean?
I don’t know what your experience is like when you talk with God, for me, I have found God often answers my question with a question.
What did you observe during those 40 minutes?
I reflected for a moment than I recalled…
- Literally, hundreds of cars passed by.
- Drivers took notice of me standing by the disabled car and drove off.
- Many distracted drivers pulled so close to my car they had to back up to move around it.
- Several people walked by me, without saying a word, most of which, had earbuds in their ears and a cell phone in their hands.
- Bicyclists hurried by.
- One pedestrian, actually stopped in front of me to take a picture of my car, (ironically with his cell phone), then proceeded on his way.
Then the second question came…did anyone ask if you needed any help?
NO, I quickly, and sadly answered.
His reply again… 40 minutes to purpose!
Then the light bulb went off…
Each person who passed me was given an opportunity to offer something they had, to someone in need!
For 40 minutes I waited. No one cared enough to look beyond their busyness to offer any help. Consequently, they missed seizing an opportunity to find purpose in the midst of their everyday routine.
God instructs us in His word, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act.” (Proverbs 3:27)
Finding purpose in everyday life is not complicated.
You are valuable, you have something to offer someone else who may be in need. Be alert, see the need and be willing to meet it!
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person.” (1 John 3:17)
I am sure there were many people who passed me on the road who were Christians. Yet, no one decided to be an extension of God’s love.
In the bible, James taught God’s people, how to act out their faith. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)
We all desire to find the grandiose ‘purpose’ for which we were created, and I whole-heartedly support such a desire. However, we will never get there if we miss the God Moments, which are presented to us every day. For God uses everyday opportunities to train and prepare us for our purpose.
God is always at work. Ask God to show you how you can co-labor with Him today.
Be mindful in your homes, at work, in your communities, at the store or on the roadways. Opportunities are everywhere.
Don’t allow 40 minutes, or one minute, to keep you from uncovering purpose in your everyday life.
-Lucy Ann
Share your thoughts, experiences and insights with us in the comment section below.
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Rosemary Sandarelli says
I recently reached out to a new neighbor. She was so overwhelmed with the move from New York to Bradenton, Fl. I helped her in many ways that I could and she was so appreciative. Just yesterday we had lunch and a movie together. We found out we have so much in common … both widows, both caregivers for our recently deceased husbands, both in need of a friend.
The biggest reward is in giving. Each of us, don’t miss an opportunity to give, there are many around us, be aware and reach out. God gives us many opportunities to give.
Lucy Ann says
Rosemary,
Thanks for sharing your wonderful testimony! God is all about multiplication! He will multiply anything we give him. He obviously multiplied the giving of your time to you neighbor into a ‘friendship’. How awesome! Praise God for His faithfulness. Your neighbor will certainly be blessed by your friendship. 🙂
Jordy says
Lucy Ann, thanks for sharing your experience. The punch line: ” my cell phone was dead too. Could things get any worse?”, caused me to burst out with a very loud laugh. I took some time to meditate on what you wrote. The recurring thing that entered my mind is that “cell phones” these days seem to be the electronic “Good Samaritan” in situations like this one.
I do recall an incident years ago when a car stalled out in front of me at a busy intersection. It was near a gas station and easy to help push them out of the street. A couple of people hopped out of their cars, me being one of them, and gave the car a push. The following Sunday in church my pastor came up to me and said: “that was a really nice thing you did this week when you pushed that car out of the street”. I replied: “how did you know about that”? Pastor said: “because I was in the car you pushed”.
Lucy Ann says
Jordy,
When you shared how you” burst out with a very loud laugh”… I laughed! 🙂 Laughter is contagious! I loved your story, how the person you reached out to, ‘just because’ was actually your Pastor! What a ‘gift’ for the both of you. We never know how far reaching our acts of love and kindness will go, or to whom they will affect. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Lauralyn says
Thank You for Sharing Lucy Ann. As always your personal insights and revelations inspire me. Much food for thought here and on the lookout for opportunities to give and live purposely.
Lucy Ann says
Lauralyn,
Awesome! Living purposely…I love that! I know God will honor your desire to be a blessing to others, certainly be on the look-out. Isn’t it exciting to live every day with purpose? Get ready…I foresee many opportunities crossing your path.
Mom says
Your experience of a stalled car and no cell brought back memories when our car got stuck on a major highway.praying another car won’t hit us in the back , waving cars on hoping one won’t hit us. Had cell phone had no one to call.looking for help a car passes us ,doesn’t stop but yells out we will call police to help you.TIME passes and sure enough a policeman comes,helps us to get our car started,tells us to drive to parking lot and did not go away till he seen us drive around. The parking lot and then left when he seen us go on our way on the highway Truly was helped by their awareness to help someone in need.Thanks Lucy Ann,love your website.God was. Surely. With us that. Day and answered our prayers
Lucy Ann says
Mom,
Oh…I remember that day! So thankful someone reached out to help you! Let’s keep doing our part, keep our eyes open and lend a helping hand when the opportunity is there.
Love ya!!!
Elaine. says
Your 40 minutes to purpose was a great testimony on how we miss out on helping people and miss those God moments. I try to keep my eyes open so I don’t miss those moments anymore. I was able to help a woman today at the grocery store. She was in a wheelchair trying to put her groceries in the backseat of her car. People were walking by and not even trying to help her I stopped and asked her if she needed help and she said oh yes please and I helped her put groceries in her car. Then one of the grocery attendance came and finish helping her. At that moment I thanked God for being able to help someone in need and also thanked him for being able to walk. We go along or daily life and forget how blessed we are that we can walk, talk, see, and hear. Thank you Lord for blessing me abundantly and giving me the opportunity to help someone. Lucy your experience will help me to be more aware of people around me And help when I can. God bless you and your readers.
Lucy Ann says
Elaine,
Praise God you are finding purpose in your everyday life. I love your heart of gratitude as well. Thanks for sharing your story. It is often in what we may consider the ‘little’ things we do to help others, we receive the most satisfaction. No act of kindness goes unnoticed by God. 🙂