Achieving a Life of Purpose

This is my mantra these days. In the hustle of life, job, marriage, kids, relationships, community and church, God’s call, and all the other stuff, how do we figure out a balancing act between areas of impact and necessity?

During this holiday season, a woman who figured this out and got it right is likely at the forefront of our thoughts. She is Mary, the mother of Christ, a girl I admire.

Her story is fascinating, her path extraordinary. Mary got her instructions in a clearer, more dramatic way than the rest of us. There she was, going about her day, a young girl preparing for the next stage in life, probably getting used to being engaged and nervously finalizing all the lessons and skills she would need to live as a wife and someday mother–and suddenly, an angel appears.

“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:31-33, NIV).

Naturally, she had a question or two.

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34, NIV)

It was a good question. I’m impressed she could think over the sound of roaring in her ears and her galloping heartbeat, much less hear anything else the angel said.

Let’s look at Mary’s unique perspective and response:

• An angel appeared. I know it seems obvious, but she had to be open to listening to the messenger chosen to deliver the instructions and directive that were specific to her and her calling.
• She stopped what she was doing and she only spoke once, only asked one question. She didn’t interrogate him or bombard him with excuses or protests. She didn’t freak out or focus on what she was going to say next. She paid attention, took a deep breath, and got ready to leap.
• She knew the truth and her purpose because she recognized God’s voice through the words from the messenger. He was familiar to her from a lifetime study and prayer.
• Because she knew who God was and could clearly perceive His role in her life, she absolutely knew who she was, saying “I am the Lord’s servant (Luke 1:38, NIV). Despite the difficulties she faced, she never forgot exactly who she was and what her part to play entailed at every step, even the painful ones. She claimed her spot, not seeking special treatment, favors, or titles. We never find her clamoring for attention or experiencing an identity crisis. She got the point.

Sometimes I miss the point.

I miss God’s voice because I’ve stopped listening and started arguing. I’ve forgotten what he sounds like because I’ve forgotten to stop what I’m doing and spend time with him, in his Word. I’ve decided that running around doing other things is where I add value, and the empty places in me are screaming for fulfillment RIGHT NOW, in ways I can see or hear.

Mary never lost focus on the big picture. She did not ask or expect “more.” She showed faith, and kept her eye on the prize.

Her recognition and acceptance of God’s gift to her, even with the burden that came along with it, is as profound as it is inspiring. She understood that blessings and burdens are often a package deal. She got her marching orders, asked her one burning question, then hit the road.

Did she have her moments? Her hiccups? Her instances where she railed against her destiny? We aren’t told, but I think she did. She was human, after all. And before we decide she’s irrelevant to us, remember this:

She may not have had to worry about homework, sports practices, grade alerts, carpool, emails, unpaid bills, or health insurance, but sister rode cross-country on the back of a donkey with echoes of gossip ringing in her ears, to deliver her firstborn in a barn with no one to help her but the guy who’d almost left when things got messy, so I’d say she knew a thing or two about stress.

She fulfilled her role in the greatest story ever told. She did so alongside her daily duties. She socialized. She ate and slept, cleaned house, did laundry, cooked dinner, visited family, laughed, cried, and created a life for herself and her loved ones.

Mary shows us that a life of purpose doesn’t always mean being noticed or achieving conventional success. It’s fighting through the daily grind and taking care of everyday details as you follow God’s call–even when you don’t want to. Even when things don’t feel important enough, or glamorous enough, or big enough. It’s walking the walk, whatever that might be for you. It’s faithfulness, and confidence in who is leading over stress about where we’re going.

[Tweet “Mary shows us that a life of purpose doesn’t always mean achieving conventional success.”]

What a lovely way to live.

Rebecca Greebon is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and child of the One True King. She has a passion for sharing with others how amazing they are, how much they are loved, and how blessed every day is, even when we are lost or distracted or completely over ourselves and the world. Rebecca blogs at theriverchick.com.

Photograph © Bardia Hashemirad, used with permission