Over the years I have done a lot of thinking and praying about my mission and purpose in life. I have even written and article and recorded a podcast about it (see below)… But it is interesting that even since recording that podcast last spring (even though it just came out early this September), it is interesting to reflect on how that has changed or shifted, ever so slightly yet significantly in the past six months…
This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to work with over 100 children and young people both at a summer camp in the US and on a service trip to Costa Rica. While serving as a Christian Science Practitioner and support healing in both venues, I discovered that my greatest calling within that space is to help people, especially young people, know that they are loved by Love and worthy of love. That God’s love for each one of us is unconditional… God’s grace is that unmerited, unearned outpouring of love to us each and every moment. And that it is for us to realize and recognize that it is there and remove whatever obstacles that stand in our way of feeling the warmth, comfort, provision and protection of that ever-present, divine Love.
In the weeks leading up to this current adventure of taking my practice on the road on the each coast of the US for a few months, I had wondered what the “why” was behind it all. I felt inspired and led to follow the inspiration to embark on this journey, but I wrestled to understand why Love was leading me to embrace this nomadic lifestyle and wanted to know the purpose or outcome. During this time, I was supporting a friend who was struggling to understand their purpose in life. And I recalled a conversation where we talked about how our entire purpose whether we are employed or not, or traveling or still, is to learn more about God… learn more about Love and how to express love to our fellow man more selflessness, more generously, more graciously…
Well, as per usual, I am good at seeing how to help others but sometimes less so for myself. Until one evening, I was at church in testimony meeting and someone shared something about their journey and experience that made me realize that the same truth I was sharing with my friend also applied to me, and this journey. And while I know my overall purpose in life… it is the same for this adventure. So, I am daily learning more about God and how that unconditional love of Love provides for each one of us. I get to learn day by day how that shows up for me in the form of home, community, supply, place, and opportunities to be of service. It’s been a lesson in leaning in and trusting the Divine completely and being ok with the unknown.
I’ve found it sometimes a struggle, and sometimes a fun challenge/opportunity to answer the question “where do you live?” Or “where are you visiting from?” And the other day a friend laughed when I was asked “what’s next?” and I answered, “Well I will be in NYC for the weekend…” But at the time, I didn’t know where I would be after that. And my friend seemed kind of in awe of the fact that I only knew where I would for the upcoming weekend.
If I’m honest, there are moments when it weighs on me a lot not knowing what’s next … but then I look back and wonder why I was so concerned, and didn’t trust more, when it all works out in the most beautiful, harmonious way… and always way better than what I could have imagined. So I am really taking to heart Jesus’ words…
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
(Matthew 6:25)
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
(Matthew 6:34)
And of course, that situation turned out like the others… the answer was there just when it was needed. I had a better “home” that I could have hoped for the following weeks… and it just continues to unfold each week, each day in the mossed blessed way. I am so very grateful.
From the Christian Science Perspectives section of the September 30, 2019 issue of the Christian Science Monitor
When we are willing to go where God, Love, leads us, this opens the way for our lives to unfold in increasingly fulfilling and purposeful ways.
Mission and purpose – discover yours today!
A podcast with Tony Lobl, Eric Bashor, and Kim Hedge – September 9, 2019 – Sentinel Watch
In this edition of Sentinel Watch, we ask what really constitutes living the life you want to live. Our guests discuss their careers and how listening for God’s guidance has led them on an adventurous and meaningful path that has increasingly clarified and brought into focus their real life purpose.
kim hedge, cs 