my why
There are many words to describe our life purpose. You may have used all of these at one time or another:
The call of God on my life is…
The direction of my life is…
The purpose of my life is …
God’s plan for my life is…
My life’s passion is…
My life’s vision is…
My life’s mission is…
God has invited me to…
I was born to…
We may phrase it in different ways, but we can rest assured that God has good plans for each of us and He promises that His plans are to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Psalm 139 tells us that these plans began even before we were born. God was shaping us inside our mother’s womb and saw even then who He created us to be. I love the words of Mark Twain who says, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why”. I don’t remember the day I was born and I am very glad I don’t! In contrast, I am glad I can remember the first time God began to give me a glimpse of the why He had planned for me.
As a young girl, I vividly remember hearing a story. It was a true story about a man named David, who was described as having a heart after God. I was not yet double digits, but the joy and wonder of the moment remains so many years later. It was one of those “Aha” moments, when you know down deep that this is God speaking. Even now as I ponder the story in 1 Samuel 16:14-23, God’s word continues to cause such a stirring within me. Saul, the king at the time was being tormented and it was suggested to Saul to search for a gifted musician to play and release the goodness of God, in harmony with God’s will, to restore well-being and the flourishing that results. The Bible says David was recommended because he was a brave man and a warrior, he spoke well and he was fine-looking, BUT most importantly because God was with him and he embodied and extended God’s goodness as he played the lyre with skill and discernment, to release a calming, beautiful sound of revival unto God. So David came to Saul and entered his service. Whenever Saul was tormented, David would play the lyre and relief and well-being would come to Saul and the torment would leave him. I did not fully understand everything that was going on in the story, but I remember being mesmerised as I listened!
Since that day, God has continued to deepen my understanding of His invitation to me, but in that moment, I knew with all my heart that what I most desired was to take an instrument and play it with my hands. I desired to be a woman after God’s own heart, a brave warrior anointed to play before the Lord, just as David had played the lyre and then later danced before the Lord with all his might. I deeply desired to know God and have the Spirit of the Lord so present within me that when I played the piano and worshipped, God’s peace and goodness would flow like living water to refresh and revive the land to blossom and bloom (Isaiah 35:1-2, NIV) and we would all flourish and thrive.
I began to play the piano when I was nine-years-old and having learned all of five notes with my right hand, I asked God for a verse and sang the word to my five notes. I had “written” my first song!
More recently, I asked God to show me the first time I truly encountered Him. I instantly recalled a significant and recurring memory from when I was three-years-old. As I explored this memory with God, He unveiled where He was for me and my parents (and later for my sister) on the day we sat in the Royal Children’s Hospital waiting for news about the emergency, life-saving surgery my sister was undergoing. This was a memory I had replayed many times, but this time God showed me how He was present with me while we waited. He showed me that He was revealing Himself as a loving Father, who was supporting my parents who feared they may lose a child. He was also revealing Himself as my faithful and ever-present brother Jesus, who sat with me on the floor as I played and wondered if I’d be able to keep this sister to play with. I also encountered Holy Spirit, who was abundantly pouring out God’s love in our hearts, bringing comfort and reminding us to anchor our hope in God’s promises. I was also aware of ministering angels who were worshipping and joining in with God as He sang His song of healing and peace over us all. Afterward I talked all this through with my mum, who confirmed the accuracy of my recall of the physical details of the event and was overwhelmed by how God had shown himself to be so present with us. As I chatted with her, I remained puzzled about one aspect. I knew that I had in fact been playing on the floor with toys…but there was a mismatch.
As God showed me His perspective of this event, I saw a picture of myself playing with different toys. What were these toys that God showed me and why was He showing them to me? Why were these building blocks, little grand piano (with what looked like a sheet of music or a manuscript erupting out of it) and sword now seemingly invading my memory? As I asked these questions, God showed me that in His presence as a three-year-old, He had begun to reveal to me who I was in Him and how I was to partner with Him to release His song to the Earth. He had set alight a spark in my heart that day!
Along the way, I have sometimes lost sight of the sparkle that is the song within me, but I know that God has called me to actively and passionately partner with Him with my God-given gifts, and as I…
shout out the CALM words God gives me, lift my voice and authentically sing my life song;
by releasing the goodness of God through writing and song;
walking alongside people to grow and transform through teaching and coaching;
God will meet with us, He will write His word over our lives and we will walk in peace and well-being (Jeremiah 29:11, Amplified Bible), as we blossom and bloom (Isaiah 35:1-2, NIV), and flourish and thrive!
“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” (Romans 12:1-2; Amplified Bible)
It is my joy and honour to walk with you on this transformational journey of growth to re-discover the beauty of your God-given voice, embrace the joy He uniquely sets before you, and sing your life song as you flourish and shine for the glory of God!
so. then. what. is. my. why ?
I joyously & freely sing my life song so that others can flourish & thrive in the beauty & joy of their true & authentic God-given voice… until all of creation joins together with Heaven’s song & shines for the glory of God!
Will you join with me today in this adventure to discover your why?
