Pulpit Today

People that wander through life are never satisfied.  It's because they are drifting rather than driving, spinning rather than steering, and existing rather than thriving.  That’s because man's contentment comes when he finds purpose and pursues it.  You must forget your fears, ignore your liabilities, and dismiss your excuses.  Your faith in God will transcend your deficiencies and claim your destiny.

Awhile back I heard a pastor tell a remarkable story that illustrates this.  A woman in his congregation searched for meaning so she asked the pastor if she could visit the hospitals.  The minister didn't think hospital visitation matched her personality and tried to dissuade her from the undertaking.  So when she persisted, the pastor monitored her ministry by visiting the hospital with her.  As she stepped to a bedside she began the conversation.  "So you're having gallbladder surgery?  I've had two family members that had that operation and they died!"  The pastor couldn't bear it so he offered her another option.  “Sister, this really doesn't appear to be your ministry.  I want you to consider another option.  Do you realize that God responds to your praying with remarkable answers?  I want you in the prayer ministry.”  When she agreed to make prayer a priority he gave her fifty-four names of sinners from the church family. Within one year, fifty-two of those sinners were saved!

Mere activity never brings happiness.  Your well-meaning pursuits may burn energy but they won't ignite the soul.  Your activity must match your purpose.  Pursuit without purpose is meaningless; purpose without pursuit is illusion; but pursuit with purpose brings contentment.