My Purpose or X Marks the Spot

 I left the house one summer night to escape the summer heat build-up that impacted an aging farmhouse--leaving behind five brothers and two work-weary parents, each mesmerized by whatever appeared on the black and white tv in our living room. Once outside, I heard the hogs banging their snouts on their feeders; the windmill moaned high above them. A few cows turned to look at me as they swished their tails--ubiquitous flies in pursuit.

A breeze sifting through grove trees surrounding the farmstead beckoned, and I headed down the lane that connected our home to the main gravel road that led to our neighbors' and the little town beyond. It grew darker as I took one step after another enjoying the cool night air, the quiet, the peace until I reached the end. Instead of heading back, I plopped myself into a soft grassy spot in the ditch, placed my hands behind my head and took in the stars and planets. Awesome was an understatement. Why had I never noticed this before?!

A flurry picked up the tips of my hair; I breathed in and out; I felt my heart beat. Silence. And, then a voice, surrounding me:  I HAVE SOMETHING PLANNED FOR YOU. AND, IT'S BIG.

God?

I stood, looked around, wanted more. I started home; Mom would be worried. I danced a little, skipped, kept glancing at the sky. What did it mean? Would I be a missionary? Would I fly to foreign nations to do.... what?

I slept with my head next to the window sill that night--keeping it all to myself. After all, who would believe that God spoke to me?

Time passed; it doesn't fail us in that respect. High school graduation, college in another state; a teaching job; marriage; children; retirement--not to mention all the ups and downs, roller coaster rides, near-cliff experiences, joys, mysteries, miseries that happen in everyone's life. Often, I wondered What is this big plan, dear God? Please, just write it across the sky, dear God, and then send a thunder bang so I'll look up and notice it. What am I not getting? What am I missing that you want me to see?

Well, in March of 2020, COVID-19 arrived along with physical distancing and a different way of living and thinking. An opportunity to join a zoom Bible study group came along, and I said "yes." Without sharing all the wonderful enlightening thoughts I studied during this Genesis study, the ah-ha moment came in one particular lesson when asked: What is the purpose of your life?  

And, I thought, finally, the answer! According to the lesson: My purpose is to know God, love Him, enjoy Him, and glorify Him. We are to glorify God in whatever He calls us to do. Looking back, I realize that my life has been big, and that, yes, it was intimately planned for me by my Creator King. In other words, X marks the spot for each of us. I'm living in this world at this time in history, in my particular community, a part of a family God planned for me with all its ups and downs, joys, concerns, struggles. 

Robert Louis Stevenson first used "X Marks the Spot" in Treasure Island where X marked the location on a map where buried treasure lay. Wherever you are in your life, there is treasure--because God put you there to do His work. Can't do it? Our life goals will always be too small until we understand God made us for Himself. And, that means you can do it; I can do it. And, that is big.

Give praise and glory!