Over the past two to three weeks, I’ve been preoccupied with the idea of purpose. I’m not entirely sure what sparked it, but I believe it was my recent job change. The job came to me unexpectedly, without me even applying for a position. The way the offer appeared (being headhunted) made me stop and think about whether I wanted to take on this opportunity. Having been at my previous job for about eight years, deciding to leave was not easy. Friendships, comfort, and normality are things many of us are reluctant to change. That said, I chose to accept the new job offer.

From the day I resigned, I was pondering, “What Next?” Why did God open this opportunity? What are His expectations of me, and what is the impact He wanted me to make? After all, I am His and a representative of Him on this earth.

The month before I left, there were many slow drives to work, watching the clouds and scenery, and in deep reflection on what had been done, what could have been done differently, and what might need to be done at my new employer.

One cannot undertake deep reflection without inherently reevaluating direction. The thoughts of “What’s Next” were constantly whirling around in my head and landing in the same place: “God, what is my purpose on this earth?”

It is interesting that as people get older, they tend to ponder more about their life’s purpose and destiny. Men and women on their deathbeds rarely think about material possessions. Instead, they reflect on their lives and consider their impact. But why do we always wait until the very end to consider how we’re shaping our lives? Why do we leave all this reflection for when it’s so late? When strength has left our bones, mental faculties are exhausted, and our influence has faded into something pale. This is often the moment when many of us begin to truly consider what our future looks like. We focus on our future when the time we have left is short. When the grains of sand at the top of the hourglass are few and fleeting, and there’s nothing or no one to turn the glass. We watch the remaining grains with fear and trepidation, and look back at the past grains with regret, thinking “could have, should have, and would have”. Jim Rohn stated it best when he said:

“Discipline weighs ounces, but regret weighs a ton” – Jim Rohn.

It is like we go through life sleepwalking. Our eyes are wide open but our spirit and sense of purpose are asleep. Dormant until the day our ”What Next” appears to via loss, sadness or the realization of no more time. That day when life forces us to stop and truly think about our life and the decisions we are making.

Why is God allowing me to write about this today? I believe He is having me do it because there’s no better time than now. The only reason we still have breath in our lungs is that our Heavenly Father wants us here! If He didn’t want us here, we would have been removed from the chessboard of life long ago.

So, what does “now” look like? Now looks like Psalms 90:12 where the word of God states:

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (NIV)

Let’s break down what this means. First, to number our days is to recognize that life is brief, fragile, and uncertain, and it should not be taken for granted. Next, notice there are two main aspects of this scripture. One aspect is developing a learned skill (“teach us to number our days”), the other aspect (“…gain a heart of wisdom”) is a condition of being wise. I want us to understand that we must gain this wisdom by asking God (James 1:5). Maybe this is why some people lament more than others when they are old and grey, because they did not have a heart for receiving wisdom in their younger years.

A wise person counts their days and embraces every moment. They take moments and make memories. When they do this, the reflections of their life will be meaningful, filled with joy, and without regret.

My friend, let’s put things into action and make some positive changes:

  1. Let go of the grip of the world and serve God wholeheartedly.
  2. Build a legacy, start that business, and put your family and your children’s children on a sound financial footing.
  3. Ask for forgiveness or give forgiveness. Remember how many times God has forgiven you.
  4. Begin that new course of study that you have been putting off for so long.
  5. Take up that musical instrument and learn to play to your heart’s content.
  6. Commence that journey of exercise and improved healthcare.
  7. Whatever it is, just go and DO IT!

If this blog has resonated with you, please stop in this moment, in this now, and ask God for wisdom to number your days. The thing is, numbering our days and honing in on our purpose will look different for each of us. This is why the created thing (us) must ask the Creator for the direction we must individually take. Stop now and ask God, for He gives wisdom freely to anyone who asks. Start planning for your future now, because preparing for your future is wise.

PS: Dane Miller was last seen deep in thought, looking at his hourglass.  

Your Brother in the Lord,

Dane Miller – “God is the Author, I am the Pen”

Authored Book – What is the Woman Saying – Lessons from Biblical Women.

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