Sunday, September 5, 2010

happiness & fulfillment

I'm working through some questions that are supposed to help me formulate a mission statement for my life and I'm stumped by the very first question:
What are my greatest moments of happiness and fulfillment???????
I'm trying and I can't think of any moments of happiness and fulfillment. I look around and I'm happy when my kids and grand-kids are doing okay. I've been happy at work, but not lately. I don't feel fulfilled because I don't really think I'm doing what God wants me to do. All of this says to me that I really need to make some changes in my life. I need to find the things that provide happiness and fulfillment: those things that God desires for me and that glorify God.
So, how do I answer the question? It seems that the question simply generates more questions. Maybe that's the purpose of a good question. Josh Hunt says good questions generate discussion, but I'm not looking for a teaching tool here, I'm looking for direction for my life - where am I headed? - what fulfills me? - what makes me happy? - what do I want to accomplish? I seem to be stuck here and this is when I would normally step outside for a cigarette to get my thoughts in order, but I've quit smoking now, so what do I do when I'm stuck. What a mess!
God - I need Your help here. I need You to show me the direction You want me to go. Do I write? Do I look for a part-time job? Help me to define my roles in life and to maximize those roles while glorifying You. Lets work through this:
Roles-
Christian
As a Christian I should glorify God and strive to be more like Jesus. I should live my life in such a way that God's love overflows into the world and causes the world to desire to have the love of God in their lives.
Father
As a father I need to provide a godly example to my children. It is my responsibility to pray for their well-being and for their continued growth toward a more Christlike life. Since all my children are adults, I need to support them when they walk a righteous path and gently restore them when they stray from that path. I should not behave in a way that exasperates my children but should teach them with gentleness.
Son
As a son it is my responsibility to honor my parents. I have the rare opportunity to care for my parents in their old age. I must treat them with respect and do all in my power to maintain their dignity.
Employee?
My responsibility to my employer is to provide the work they desire and to work as if laboring for Christ.

Maybe I can change the question and make a little progress -
What do I believe would cause me the greatest happiness and fulfillment?

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