Why am I here?

I imagine nearly everyone has at some time pondered the meaning of their existence.

I am currently in a Sunday School class that is reading "The Purpose Driven Life". The link takes you to the official website for the book and the first seven chapters of the book are available online now as samples.

I have really appreciated the opportunity to read and study this book, especially as I have been working through a period of crisis following a stressful job transition (departmental reorganization) after 10 years of a career with the same employer, and marital separation after 7 years of marriage.

For me, having this study begin when it did seemed like a perfect incident of synchronicity. Here I am, middle-aged, facing a shake-up in my marriage and in my career....yet, the words of truth helped ground me again. God's purpose is working itself out, even though it may not be evident to me what it is at this point. God has a design for my life. God has provided for me in the past and will continue to provide for me. The chaos of the world can make me feel like I am treading in quicksand, but I can trust God to lead me to safety.

But in this process, I have to be willing to let go of my own design and plans for my life if they are not working. I have to be open to change. And following God doesn't mean my life will be without suffering or hardship, in fact, I may have to endure hardship for His sake.

The book for me as been a positive source of inspiration and encouragement.