1 Peter 4:8-10
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of
sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have
received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its
various forms.
God has not called me to be successful. He called
me to be faithful. -Mother Teresa
I have a t-shirt with a saying printed on it: God Has a Plan So
I Have a Purpose. I think about that a lot. As my children grew into teenagers
and then adults, I fretted over what my purpose was. I'd held onto the role of
mom for years and knew at that point in my life, my focus was raising the kids
to be kind and caring adults. With them rounding the corner to adulthood, I
found myself at loose ends. Of course, I had purpose as Tim's wife and in my
job at the school library, and I was still a mom, but something in my heart
searched for more. Like many people, I read The Purpose Driven Life. I
found some good information, but not enough.
I prayed and asked God for clarity, and guess what? He let me
know I'd been overthinking my purpose. Yes, there are specific things God calls
me to do, but the most important thing He wants me to do is to be faithful and
love Him.
God calls me and anyone who believes in Him to love Him and
love people. The other day the radio blared out Danny Goeke's song, Love God
Love People. He talks about checking the boxes and trying to do more, but instead
it comes down to caring for God and people.
Peter reminds his readers the most important thing they can
do is be faithful stewards of God's grace. Show grace to everyone and be
faithful to God.
In our broken world, our purpose is to remain faithful and to
love.
