Come and See!

 February 5, 2012:  The 5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“For this purpose have I come.”

A few years ago, there was a New York Times best seller called, "A Purpose-Driven Life.” It’s cited as one of the most popular spiritual self-help books ever written. Perhaps some of you have read it. I have not, probably out of a need for self-preservation—being any more driven than I already am would not be a good thing!

So I can’t comment on its contents, but my hope is that the book’s emphasis is more on “purpose” rather than on “driven.”  We don’t need encouragement to be driven. A lot of us are driving ourselves to an early grave. But we are surely in desperate need of putting it in park for a while and reflecting on God's will for our lives.

We’re a notorious lot when it comes to chasing after the next trend or even the next good cause. It’s easy to lose sight that discerning God's will--finding that purpose for which we have been created and called—is not something we can force, not a menu option we select as we breeze by the drive-through window. Instead, discerning God’s will is a gradual process that grows and develops. It is best done in silent prayer and reflection.

It’s hard to remember this, especially when you look at the stories of the saints. There is so much emphasis on what they DID. For heaven's sake, just look at St. Paul. He is the perfect example of a man on a mission. He is driven by a sense of urgency, an “obligation” to save as many souls as he can. There is not much written about the time Paul spent in prayer.

Jesus goes into the desert to be with God and to listen for God's guidance. And once he has ascertained his call, he returns to God daily, in quiet prayer, to ensure he stays true to his purpose. Jesus knows all his strength and abilities are from God.

Another popular book—this one written in the 1940’s—called “God is My Co-Pilot,” tells the story of a military pilot from World War II.  Its publication spawned a film, and a catchphrase that you still see occasionally on T-shirts and coffee mugs.  Personally however, I prefer the twist of phrase I saw once on a church sign. It captures more accurately the role that God should play in our lives:

“If God is your co-pilot…switch seats.”

Let’s use the stillness of early February to be “purpose-focused.” Carve out some desert time each day to sit quietly with God and contemplate your life: When have you experienced your greatest joy and peace?  When have you felt closest to God? Theologian Frederick Buechner once wrote, "The place God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

One way to tell if you are on the right or wrong track:  if what you are doing is draining, you might be doing the wrong thing; or perhaps, the right thing in the wrong way. Finding our true call allows us to get ourselves and our ego out of the way and lets God do the work through us.  It does not drain us. It feeds us.

A simple and straightforward book you may want to consider: “Healing the Purpose of Your Life,” by Sheila, Dennis, and Matthew Linn.

Elaine Ireland has a passion for working with parents and anyone who struggles to maintain a sense of God’s love and peace amid the day-to-day challenges of life. She has a master’s degree in Spiritual and Pastoral Care from the Pastoral Counseling department at Loyola, Maryland, with a focus on developmental psychology and spiritual guidance.  Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, she is a writer, retreat and workshop leader, and presenter on topics such as pastoral parenting, “letting go,” and finding the spiritual in the midst of everyday life. She lives in Ellicott City, Maryland with her husband, Mark and children, David and Maggie.

We hope you enjoy "Come and See!" and we welcome your input. Please contact Elaine Ireland at ehireland@loyola.edu with questions, comments, and responses.

© 2009, Elaine H. Ireland - Images@FaithClipart.com