It’s no secret that most of us feel as if most of the jobs that we have ever worked could be considered to be menial. That is, of very little training, skill, or talent according to its definition at vocabulary.com. This may be true to some extent, but the value in such menial tasks prove to be priceless in life. We, however; certainly don’t look upon hard work as a tool for teaching in our times of dismay.
This is why we love the phrase “hindsight is 20/20”, for understanding has an astounding way of bringing forth purpose in all that we do. If we can reflect upon the past and find that we were simply learning life lessons back then, certainly we can look upon the present and know that there is a purpose in what we are doing today.
Understanding our purpose seems to be sought after by many, however; understanding the purpose in what we are currently doing should suffice. Life has so much to offer as we go and sometimes we simply want to go too fast. We seem to always be searching for a better way, or as some may say, greener pastures.
I can’t help but smile when I hear people ask the question “what’s my life’s purpose?” We make it sound as if we’ve done all things in vain and that nothing ever matters until we find that one thing that just may be our “purpose.” Seems like a chase that I want no part of anymore.
Though having an understanding of how things work is a must, perception is how we see the purpose come to life. let’s use the simple concept of a farmer and his crops. He (the farmer) understands that the purpose of the soil is to grow his crop. So, in order for him to maintain a nutrient-rich soil, he will do the necessary work with an understanding of the end result. Plowing, fertilizing, tilling, cultivating, and planting prove to be the work of working the soil. His perception of hard work or its purpose simply applies to the beautiful crop that awaits his diligent efforts. Because the farmer is trying to produce a fine crop, he finds purpose in every drop of sweat from his brow.
You may not be a farmer, but what soil are you working on? What do you perceive as the hard work in your field? Do you work through it with an understanding yet or have you not yet seen the fruits of your labor? The scripture reminds us all to work with all our heart in whatever we do as if we are doing it for the Lord (Col. 3:23). Surely the Lord must have known that we would need to get help with this issue somewhere along the way. My dear mother addressed it vividly by explaining that everyone wants to come to the table, but not everyone wants to go to the fields!
[ctt template=”4″ link=”2JeM6″ via=”no” ]Everyone wants to come to the table, but not everyone wants to go to the fields![/ctt]Before you continue your search for a greater purpose in life, make every effort to understand the purpose in what you are doing today. The understanding of purpose will always unfold through good old fashioned hard work.