It’s been a couple of weeks since my big swim meet in Sioux Falls. After all my worrying, I actually had a great time that day. I won a ribbon for each of the four events I swam. (It really helps when you’re old because there isn’t as much competition!)
Something strange has happened, though.
I’ve continued to swim a few times a week, but it has felt so hard! I don’t feel like swimming fast and I’ve been struggling to even get as many yards in during practice.
The only thing I can think of is that I’ve lost my purpose.
I no longer have a swim meet pressing me to work hard. Next year’s meet is too far away to make a difference right now, so my workouts have felt like a slog.
I’m going to have to remind myself of the good reasons I have for swimming: better physical and mental health.
Sometimes we can lose our purpose in life.
We don’t feel satisfied by our relationships, careers, and extracurricular activities. It seems like we’re just going through the motions for no good reason. We wonder why we should even try.
I was starting to go in that direction recently…but then came Easter.
Our men’s group sang “Because He Lives” for special music, and I teared up when they got to the chorus:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives
There. That’s my purpose. It’s not about ribbons or medals or excitement or even satisfaction. Life is worth the living just because Jesus rose from the dead and lives for me now.
He lives for you now, too. Let’s find our purpose in that.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NIV)
Do you ever lose your purpose in life? How can focusing on God help you get it back?