Finding purpose in everyday tasks can be so difficult.
“Why am I still here?”
“Am I even making progress?”
“Is this even going to make difference?”
Before you know it, your mood going into the day is just sour. You go through the motions. You are thinking about what is next for you, how one day you’ll be in a better place doing better things. *self pity*
I don’t know where you’re at and what about it makes you feel in a slump, or “held back”. I don’t know where you’d rather be. But I do know that God is all powerful. He placed you where you are at with reason.
the word Intentional
has been on my heart since January and I believe it’s because God’s moving me out of living in discontent to living intentional. ESPECIALLY, in my work life. I’ve found myself throwing a lot of pity parties about where I’m at in my work life, (just ask my poor husband.)
No matter how much I’d rather #justnot, and continue to go through the motions because that requires no change on my part…
God’s telling me “these are my plans for you right now. Don’t let them pass you by. Open your eyes and see the purpose in where you’re at. You can grow here.”
BE INTENTIONAL.
Maybe the song “Intentional” by Travis Greene brought this word to my attention….
(Linking it here: give it a listen to brighten your day https://youtu.be/VH3f0ellNv8)
I love how the song brings up over and over how God is intentional with us. Things done with intention are done with purpose.
Here’s what I believe :
- God is in control.
- He has a plan.
- His plans for me are for a purpose.
- I can trust His plans.
I believe that. I reallllllllllly do. But I’ve struggled trusting Him with the fact that He has me in a place I didn’t envision for myself. Because of that, it’s been hard to show up and work with purpose.
If this sounds anything like where you are at in that in between college & forever career stage….
Here are 4 things you can start doing that will help you work with purpose rather than going through the frustrated motions:
1. Be intentional with your time at home first.
If you can’t set aside time at home everyday to meet with the Lord, then you probably are going to feel “off” during the week at work and be tempted to slip into that slump. Some advice I was given was to start out with at least 20 minutes a day of reading and praying. You’re most likely able to add more time to that, but starting the routine is important. Get in His word and pray. Spend time with Him.
If you don’t know where to start, my advice is to download the YouVersion Bible app and follow one of their Bible reading plans. Personally I read in the NLT because it’s easier for me to understand, but ESV is also great.
The best quality time in any relationship, is time that is planned and intentional- it serves a purpose of building up the love for one another. Why would your relationship with God not need intentional time? (it does, your heart & soul need Him)
2. Focus your mind on things of the Lord at work (and not on what stresses you out.)
This sounds way easier than it actually is. It’s so easy to be dragged down into the worry and stress of those around us, especially at a job. Do whatever you need to intentionally let God and His purposes be your focus in the midst of your day to day tasks. Whether its:
- listening to worship music in the background
- making a prayer list for the day & referring back to it (pray for co-workers, for your clients, for your attitude etc)
- writing a verse out on a sticky note and keeping it on your desk.
DO WHATEVER IT TAKES. Drown out the work drama (amen) and keep Him on your mind. Focus on His truths so that you handle your tasks in a better mindset knowing He’s doing a work in you.
3. Stop and ask God to change your heart towards your environment.
Ask Him for the endurance to stay in your work environment for as long as He wills. Stop praying for help and change with a closed fist and stubborn heart. Open those palms and ask for Him to do a work in your heart. Ask Him to help you trust Him because He is in control and knows so much better than you do. Ask Him to help you accept your circumstance and to seek growth in it. Surrender your heart, even if it hurts to let it be changed.
3. Bring joy into the workplace & share the love of Christ.
If I’ve learned anything about “Adulting” and the real world, it’s that most work environments are full of high stress and ZERO joy. You can be intentional about not giving into that mindset by encouraging others rather than getting aggravated with them. We are called to LOVE our neighbor. Not live in self pity (talking to myself here.) It’s time to start noticing the people surrounding you that need to know Jesus. You can BRING the joy of Christ that you have wherever you go. If YOU, Christian, don’t be the light & bring in the joy to that work place, no one will. Lend a helping hand. Give. Serve your co-workers. Pray for your boss. Be on mission at your work place. Be intentional with the people He has in front of you. Don’t miss who He wants you to serve because you’re just aimlessly going through your day.
Putting these things into practice takes work. But if you want to improve the way you view your circumstance, try them out. Ask the Lord to reveal more ways you can stop going aimlessly through the motions and to start seeking His purposes for your day.
You’re not alone sister ❤
-Allison
Allison Miller 