Functioning in Your Purpose
Have you ever watched the Indianapolis 500 on television? Those race cars are incredibly sleek. They're low to the ground and extremely aerodynamic. They've got engines that can go 200 mph on a straightaway and even take a curve at 100 mph. They're fast. They're precise. But in spite of all these strengths, they also have weaknesses. For starters, they can only hold one person. They're not that comfortable. The inside is all metal and gauges. There's no air-conditioning. No luxury. Why is that? It's designed for a specific purpose.
At home Victoria and I have a Suburban. It can easily hold eight people. It's got a big trunk area to put bikes and plenty of luggage. It sits up high off the ground. When you drive it, you feel like you're the king of the road. But if you took that SUV and entered it into the Indianapolis 500, it wouldn't have a chance. It would get lapped again and again. On the other hand, if you traded in the SUV for an Indy 500 race car and brought it home for everyday use, you'd probably get frustrated very quickly. You wouldn't be able to take your children to school in it. It's too small. It only holds one person. You couldn't go to the grocery store because there's no place to put the groceries. You could drive it on the freeway, but it's so low to the ground and the suspension is so tight, if you hit a pothole it would feel like an earthquake. In a few days you would be saying, "Can I get my SUV back?"
Here's my point: each car is designed for a specific purpose. The SUV isn't going to have a chance in the Indianapolis 500, and the race car is not going to be useful on the city streets. Each car functions best when it is fulfilling its intended purpose.
The same is true in our everyday lives. If we are trying to be something we're not, we aren't going to be successful. If we are trying to fulfill someone else's purpose, we'll live frustrated, discontented and unfulfilled. But if you're going to be all God has called you to be, you have to recognize your strengths and "stay in your own lane" so to speak. When you are functioning in your purpose, you'll feel peace. You'll feel contentment. You'll feel empowered and see the success God has planned for you!
At home Victoria and I have a Suburban. It can easily hold eight people. It's got a big trunk area to put bikes and plenty of luggage. It sits up high off the ground. When you drive it, you feel like you're the king of the road. But if you took that SUV and entered it into the Indianapolis 500, it wouldn't have a chance. It would get lapped again and again. On the other hand, if you traded in the SUV for an Indy 500 race car and brought it home for everyday use, you'd probably get frustrated very quickly. You wouldn't be able to take your children to school in it. It's too small. It only holds one person. You couldn't go to the grocery store because there's no place to put the groceries. You could drive it on the freeway, but it's so low to the ground and the suspension is so tight, if you hit a pothole it would feel like an earthquake. In a few days you would be saying, "Can I get my SUV back?"
Here's my point: each car is designed for a specific purpose. The SUV isn't going to have a chance in the Indianapolis 500, and the race car is not going to be useful on the city streets. Each car functions best when it is fulfilling its intended purpose.
The same is true in our everyday lives. If we are trying to be something we're not, we aren't going to be successful. If we are trying to fulfill someone else's purpose, we'll live frustrated, discontented and unfulfilled. But if you're going to be all God has called you to be, you have to recognize your strengths and "stay in your own lane" so to speak. When you are functioning in your purpose, you'll feel peace. You'll feel contentment. You'll feel empowered and see the success God has planned for you!