A Purpose-Filled Life: My Bucket List (if God wrote it)

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."

EPHESIANS 1:18-19 

Each of us are here for a reason and chosen for a purpose… Understanding our identity in Christ gives us purpose. God’s purpose is always unique and always makes our ordinary lives extraordinary. Our shared and primary purpose can be lived out in 5 ways: 

• We were planned for God's pleasure
  • so your first purpose is to offer real worship. (Colossians 1:16) - Worship, while it can be an intentional choice, is generally a result of witnessing something 'awesome,' or awe inspiring and proclaiming His glory!
• We were formed for God's family
  • so your second purpose is to enjoy real fellowship. (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Acts 2:44-45) - Biblical Fellowship is a Family relationship: You become a part of the Family of God on Earth. Defined as "koinonia."
• We were created to converse with/become more like Christ,
  • so your third purpose is to have a real relationship/discipleship. (Acts 17:27; 1 John 2:6) - To be a Christ-like people, we must also have the mind of Christ. This is vital to our ability to respond to God’s call and challenge as His people.
• We were shaped for loving/serving God and others
  • so your fourth purpose is to practice real ministry.  (Mark 12:30-31;  Ephesians 4:11-13)- God is looking for opportunities to reveal His glory through His people. 
• We were made for a mission
  • so your fifth purpose is to live out real evangelism. (Mark 16:15) - This is the Great Commission to the whole Church, to share the gospel with unsaved.

God has a specific purpose for each of us, a unique calling for every individual. Our secondary callings are unique and birthed out of our submission to the primary calling, as well as our gifts, dreams, passions, and personalities.

Time flies when we’re busy and life continues on, whether or not we take time to follow our dreams, calling, or purpose. That is why I recently took part in an online Bible study, called "What if God Wrote Your Bucket List?" We studied many topics and by the end of the study, were asked to write down what we felt God was calling us to do on this earth. At first, this seemed like an unfathomable task. The struggle of knowing what I desire, of God's calling for us as believers, as well as the gifts I know God has given me caused me to stress over feeling guilty and confused. But after much prayer and having some questions that were answered during the study, I realized that as long as my list connected with one of the five main purposes of God for all believers(listed above), it is still in line with Him writing it on my heart, too! I also realized that even those things that may seem impossible with man, I had to remember that all things are possible with God, and I can trust Him to provide. The list below is what I have felt called to write down for now...as God may redirect some of the things on the list, as He leads me through life. Also, it must be said that none of these MUST take place for me to be happy and serve God. My happiness stands alone on assurance of my salvation through Jesus Christ! Here is my list(In no particular order).

1. Experience the joy of knowing my son is saved and enjoying the unity of that bond of a common love for God for many, many years on this earth.
2. Travel around the U.S. in a small RV with my husband (and occasionally with other family members) after retirement.
3. Live on the road with no schedule or time-limits.
4. See the beauty of God’s creation, from mountain tops to deserts to extraordinary natural landmarks.
5. Take some chances with adventurous activities; try things I’ve never tried before; ie: sailing on the ocean, fishing for a large fish(bluefin tuna, marlin, tarpon, etc.), participate in a long-distance bikeathon, etc.
6. Travel to another country - Holy Land, Italy, France, Canada
7. Serve/Minister those in need in a disaster relief program
8. Live off the grid for a time period - ie. no electronics, communication with the outside world, etc., and get more connected with God.
9. Minister to and encourage moms with “different” or “challenging” children.
10. Hear my son record Christian music in a professional studio. See him thrive in music.
11. See my son marry a woman who loves Jesus with all of her heart.
12. Doing more random acts of kindness(Pay more attention to people around me).
13. Live as though every moment of every day I could not live without the Lord...having His Word and promises in my heart and mind at all times, commuting with him continually.
14. Live, exercise, and eat healthily on a regular basis.

Proverbs 16:9 - "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

Have you ever considered what your bucket list would look like, if God wrote it for you? Have you ever written it down? What kinds of things are on your "bucket list"? Feel free to share in the comment section.

 

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