Purpose

Well, first and foremost, I want to welcome you to my blog. Thanks for visiting. I’m so glad you’re here. The purpose of this blog…. Purpose. It’s a funny word, isn’t it? Dictionary.com defines purpose as: 1) the reason for which something exists 2) an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal 3) determination; resoluteness. So the aim and goal of this blog is to share some of my interests with you, specifically my love of travel and adventure. Fortunately, writing inspirational romantic suspense, I’m able to spend a lot of time learning about these endeavors and I thought it’d be fun to share some of what I discover with you. But let’s go back momentarily to the definition of ‘purpose.’ I was struck by definition number one: the reason for which something exists. That’s a pretty significant definition. The reason for which something exists. Now you know why this blog exists, but I wonder if you’ve ever thought about why you exist? I’m often struck by the overwhelming despondency of a worldview that does not believe in God. Without God we have no purpose. If we are all here just by random chance and the process of evolution, how can we have hope? Hope that there is a reason for our lives, hope that there is a reason for our sufferings, hope that when it’s all said and done, we aren’t all said and done. God gives that hope. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19) “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone: my hope comes from Him.” (Psalm 62:5)

I know I’ve gotten sidetracked from the purpose of this blog on my very first post, but, really, aren’t some things worth getting sidetracked for? Couldn’t we all use hope? Here are some verses I’d like to leave you with. May they fill you with hope.

We aren’t here by random chance: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139: 13-14)

We have purpose: “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” (Psalm 138:8) “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:1).

We are not alone: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8) “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

My friend (and fellow writer) Shirlee McCoy has a wonderful link on her website that talks about finding hope and knowing God.