God Unwraps His Best Kept Secret

Sunday at the Missio Lux Celebration we explored the idea that God holds some of his best work in secret.

We looked at Jesus and his birth, recognizing that although the Jewish people had waited close to 500 years for any Word from God, when it was God's timing, he had Jesus be born in a remote village far from his friends and family and far away from the temple and center of spiritual activity in a stable with smelly animals. The only people that God chose to show the "secret of Jesus" to were shepherds, today's homeless people.

We also explored the Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan. After nearly 20 years of wondering why they were spared when almost everyone around them died, it is coming clear that they were saved, so they, like Jesus, could help redeem their people and their villages by educating orphan children. Seeds of Hope structure is helping to make that happen, the secret is being unwrapped!

But, we also explored our sense of being God's secret ready to be unwrapped; here is part of what I said:

You are one of God’s best kept secrets as you have a specific purpose that you were created to live out.
Sometimes his purpose comes early in our lives, but very often, he keeps the purpose “hidden” until later in our lives.

Do you live in expectation that you have a purpose and that it will be life changing for those around you?

One of my favorite quotes is from Francis of Assissi: “Where your greatest passion and the world’s greatest needs meet, therein lies your vocation.”

Our vocation is our passion lived out in purpose. We often confuse our jobs with our vocation and it is spectacular when they are integrated, but for many of us they will be separate.

For many the question is: How will I ever find out my purpose?

It’s a challenge, but one that can be met with giving yourself the gift of time and solitude.
Taking some time to breathe (literally) and to reflect on those times in our life that brought us joy, an increased pulse and a beating heart are signs that we were intersecting with our passion. Journaling is an awesome way to reconnect to our heart and our passions.
Taking time to meditate on who God is and how he created you is another way to awaken your purpose.

Reflect on this Scripture:
Psalms 139:14-16:
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Consider this: take some time on or before New Years Day to think through your past year.
What did you take pleasure in?
What robbed life from you?
What do you want to change?
Write it down.
Begin to dream about what the next year could hold.
Write that down and then take it to someone that you trust and share it.
Sharing it will help you to take ownership of it and will give someone to encourage you to take the steps towards making room for God to unwrap his best secret in you.

I can't wait to see the "opened gift" of you!