Truth is often revealed at our painful moments. When our youngest child left for college, my husband asked, “What are you going to do with the rest of your life?” That question opened a floodgate of emotions, and what followed was an epiphany revealed in a tearful, all-night conversation with God.
It was a fair question – what? It led to a more important starting point question – why?
The Lord’s purpose prevails
One of the ways God speaks to me is through Scripture. Proverbs 19:20-21 opened my eyes to the importance of hearing why before what:
“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
God’s purpose for me could be found in answering questions like: Why am I here? Why do I do the things I do? Why do I behave the way I behave? I started to explore the positive why questions of purpose and mission and discovered I had a habit of asking the negative why questions, leading to judgment of others, and even myself. God invited me to let Him be the judge and step into a learning, growing, mature relationship. This is when a shift occurred, led by the Spirit of Truth. God brought me out of this period of pain and uncertainty and revealed His plans for me:
My purpose: pursue truth
My mission: influence others to seek their truth
A calling to coach
Soon after this, a friend suggested I study coaching. Becoming a certified coach is the marvelous outcome birthed the night of my meltdown and it’s in this work God has brought together my purpose and mission.
As a coach and mentor, it’s a privilege to share assessments, tools, spiritual disciplines and other resources important for transformation. As God shows us “this is the way, walk in it,” the road to discovery begins. Our Father inspires visions of what is not yet real and gives courage to move into energizing change. Truth is brought into the light, and answering what, who, when, where, and how questions unfold the “many plans” of Proverbs 19:21.
God receives the glory for those who walked with me to clarify my why, and I hope to influence many more to seek truth and discover their why. Everything in my past—even my pain—prepared me to live fully today while anticipating God’s unfolding of the future. The same is true for you. The truth sets us free!
Explore what God’s Word has to say about your purpose, passion, and mission. The Extravagant God Bible study shines the light on the lives of other women who have experienced the freedom of living generously.
