purpose

Encouragement to Wrestle when you are Restless: Find Your God Purpose

 

I’m convinced that the people who walk in their God purpose, no matter how big or small, are content.

I’m also convinced that as long as we are seeking, wrestling, after what God’s purpose is for us, we will fall on it. I’ve heard sermons that proclaim that wrestling with God is not good because you will end up with a limp.

But I disagree.

I’ll take a God limp over a bless-less walk any day.

Some of the most fascinating and blessed people I know are the ones who limp–they’ve smelled God’s sweat. Their faces have been buried into His chest.

 

[tweetability]Restlessness can be good and discontentment has its place when they leave us clinging to God wrestling for the blessing–His purpose for us.[/tweetability]

 

 

When I feel restless, I know that’s God calling me to Himself. When something in me just doesn’t feel right, I know it’s time to lock arms with the Father and ask Him to align my steps with His blessing.

Many of us have dreams, visions from God that we believe are our calling, but we’ve not reached those visions so we feel dissatisfied. But keep in mind that the dream may simply be the picture your mind could paint. Ask what the bigger purpose is behind the vision.

I never thought simply sitting behind a keyboard, writing truths God placed on my heart, sharing my own wrestling matches, would be so satisfying. Some days I don’t talk to anyone all. day. long. (Which was a huge learning curve for this extrovert.) But to be honest, now I need a lot of silence. He’s changing me.

God knows our dreams better than we do.

There once was a person inside of me who dreamed of shepherding a small congregation. She was discontent because she had not arrived to that dream until she realized the bigger purpose behind the vision. Preachin. Teachin. Lovin. Doing exactly what I’m doing via a blog and books.

I found contentment when I surrendered my agenda for His.

As I write these words I think of friends whose health disabled their dreams–wiping out any hope for fulfillment. But I believe that the promise of Philippians 1:6 can restore what we’ve lost. We never lose the gift of purpose, sometimes it simply takes on a new look or a different venue.

God’s promises never fail. And He promises through Paul’s words:

“…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

 

It took the Bible translators five English words to translate the one Greek word, Epiteleo.

Read the definition from the Key-Word Study Bible:

“….An intensive form of the verb, teleo; this word means to finish up, fully achieve a goal, or accomplish a purpose. To finish, complete, perfect. “Perfecting holiness” does not mean improving or completing it as though it were deficient; rather it means allowing it to fulfill its objective, leading it to full expression or realization; to perform, accomplish.”

If you are feeling restless, discontent, your dreams seem far away, impossible, or you can’t even remember any of them . . . hold on to this promise.

Take it with you to the wrestling mat.

God blesses those who wrestle with Him asking for His blessing–not the ones we envision.

He promises that our purpose or purposes will be Epiteleo.

Accomplished.

If you could do anything for God, what would it be?

In Jesus,

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6 Comments

  1. Remi

    Thanks, Andy – this message has met me exactly where I am!

    1. So thankful that it did! Glad you stopped by Remi!

  2. Um . . . have your been reading my mind? (or my blog::) I’m wrestling and limping and your post was timely, encouraging and helpful. Thanks for this post!

    1. Keep wrestling girl! Thanks for sharing, Erika. I’m praying for you.

  3. debbie

    God is good. I was reading this morning about how Jacob wrestled with God for a blessing and how Rachel wrestled with Leah out of her own shame and torment. God listened to both and answered both.
    He knows out heart and purpose.
    love you.
    debs

    1. Love when God does that! Thanks for sharing, Debs!

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