Crafting Purpose Through Work and Divine Guidance

Establish the Work of Our Hands

In our fast-paced world, filled with distractions and endless demands, we often experience a sense of disconnect from the work we do. The reality is that many of us feel our efforts slip through our fingers like grains of sand. The burdens of a job that seems unfulfilling, relationships that are strained, or ambitions that remain unfulfilled create an overwhelming sense of loss. We face the death of dreams. This is the death we must acknowledge - not only the end of aspirations but also the old identities we cling to, the destructive patterns we default to, and the false securities that keep us from fully stepping into the call of God upon our lives. As a first-generation college graduate, I have felt this tension deeply, where the paths I envisioned seemed to vanish into thin air. In this process, we must face these hard truths; only then can we expect to see new life emerge.

What must die for us to establish the work of our hands? The old identity that defines us through titles and accolades needs to fade away. We often tie our worth to our jobs, measuring success in promotions, accolades, or financial security. Yet, like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, we can become ensnared in what was familiar, even when it no longer serves us. These identities are as transient as the shifting sands of the desert.

Furthermore, we have to let go of destructive patterns. Perhaps it’s the cycle of procrastination that stifles productivity or a toxic work environment that drains our spirit. We might hold onto resentment in relationships, thinking it protects us, while it ultimately keeps us bound in bitterness. We cling to these patterns, shielding ourselves from vulnerability and the risk of failure. Yet, they inhibit the flourishing of our work.

False securities often masquerade as comfort. It’s easy to find solace in routine, even when it leads us away from fulfilling our true calling. The comfort of a steady paycheck can blind us to the calling God has placed on our lives. It can also shield us from the reality that sometimes, stepping out in faith means letting go of what feels safe. As we confront these realities, the weight of what must die becomes heavier, but it is within this space of recognition that we can prepare for transformation.

The Descent into Death

Then comes the dying: the moment we begin to strip away these layers of identity, habits, and securities. This descent is not easy; it often feels like walking through a dark tunnel, unsure if there’s light at the other end. The Gethsemane moments in our lives are where the heart wrestles with the pain of letting go. The disciples faced their own moments of despair on that fateful night, grappling with confusion and fear. They had to confront the death of their expectations of a conquering Messiah.

As we navigate through this process, we can feel the resistance rising within us. The ego fights back fiercely against the idea of surrender. Memories flood our minds, reminding us of past failures or missed opportunities, and we cling to those memories as if they were the very essence of who we are. We must confront these ghosts, allowing ourselves to feel the pain of loss, of saying goodbye to what we thought our lives would be. This is the reality of ego death; it is painful, yet it paves the way for something new.