Christianity What Is Your Purpose? by Leelo-Dianne Bush, PhD

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What Is Your Purpose? by Leelo-Dianne Bush, PhD
Find your purpose in life God's way. When we shift our thinking, we can more easily get in line with God's purpose for our life.

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What Is Your Purpose?

By Leelo-Dianne Bush, Ph.D. Certified Retirement Coach

I have been listening to a series of lessons by Joyce Meyer recently that I have found truly inspiring.

There are so many people in this world who are looking for their purpose. So many say they just want to be happy. I guess I am lucky, because I have always felt a strong sense of purpose, but many are not so fortunate. They get into the later portion of their life and still ask “Who am I?"

For a long time, I have thought, ‘Who you are is easy. You are what you do." What I mean by that is that what you do, defines who you are.

As Joyce put it, “God does not call us to in-reach; He calls us to OUT-reach." That is so true. Throughout Jesus' words, He teaches us to help others. What's more He tells us that when we do so, we will be blessed.

But we need to help others, not for personal gain, rather because it is in our hearts to do so. We need to develop giving hearts. And when we give, it will fill us with joy.

So when you are looking for purpose in your life, ask yourself, “What am I doing to help others?" Each day we should do something to help someone.

The reason I do Christian Coaching and particularly Christian Counseling, is because I want to help others. It's in my heart. As I was growing up, I had a great role model. My late father was a true servant. He was a man of God and he was always looking for ways to help others. Everyone who knew him, knew they could count on him, no matter what. And he didn't help others so that he would receive praise, glory or gifts. So many times, his work went unnoticed and unappreciated. Often he didn't receive even a small thank you. But it was in his heart to help others. So whenever anyone needed anything, he was there for them. He was there for me and my family and he was there for others.

So much of the thanks that was due my father did not come until his funeral. Now my father was a humble man and not what we would consider well known, but he had a lot of people at his funeral. And this was no ordinary funeral. It was a celebration of his life. I remember leaving and thinking it was the most beautiful funeral I had ever been to.

Just recently, our nation mourned the passing of former president Ronald W. Reagan. He was our nation's oldest elected president and was well beyond retirement years when he sat in the oval office. We may remember his presidency from our own perspective, but there was never a doubt that Ronald Reagan was a man of God. He walked his talk. He had joy and peace within his being and his ever-positive attitude brought back our pride in being Americans. He gave of himself and he did it with love.

I remember the Sunday before his first presidential election, he was due to attend church in Columbus, Ohio. It just so happened I lived in Columbus then and decided to attend that church on this particular Sunday. I recall seeing him and his wife Nancy, accompanied by secret service men, file into the front pews of the church, right before me. The message that day was about being servants to other people.

We find throughout history, that our greatest leaders, both men and women, have been servants and have left a legacy of love and servitude. Mother Teresa is remembered today for her love and selfless giving. John F. Kennedy, our youngest president, is remembered for his words, "Ask not what this country can do for you, but what you can do for this country." Each of the above has encouraged us to look beyond our own existence, to what we can do for others.

When we look at our own lives, we must ask what we are doing to help others. Can we do more? Can we be a blessing to someone today, tomorrow and every day? Let's make a conscious decision right now to help others in whatever way we can, whether we can help them tangibly or simply with a smile to brighten their day. Then we can truly experience retirement with a purpose!

Leelo-Dianne Bush, PhD is a Certified Retirement Coach, Christian Coach and Ordained Counseling Minister. For more information, check out www.abundantlife-coach.com. You may contact Rev. Dr. Bush at coach@coachbush.com.