Every Thursday I feature a “throwback” post from my blog archive. The goal is to look back and discover new lessons or opportunities to grow. This week, we’ll look at “Head Down and Keep Moving Forward” You can view the original post here. For today, here’s a quick recap and a few more thoughts about our purpose.

If you read last week’s Throwback Thursday post, you know that I discovered that the message that I was searching for was buried in my archives for six years. This week, I found another hidden gem among the archives that screamed, “It’s been here all along!” In “Head Down and Keep Moving Forward,” I compare our search for purpose to walking the streets of New York City. Everyone in New York walks with what looks to be purpose and passion. They move quickly, they aren’t distracted by the sights and sounds, and they all have a look of determination that says, “I know exactly where I am going and why I am going there.” 

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While this is the appearance of the masses, I wager that this is not always true. I would be willing to bet that among the seemingly passionate and purposeful crowd, there are quite a few who are lost and wandering. Their look of purpose and passion is actually fear and panic. They have no idea where they are going and even less of an idea as to why they are going there. They’re simply caught up in a sea of people who are all moving in the same way and haven’t figured out how to step off to the side, assess their situation, and move forward in the right direction. 

I think the apostle Peter was much like this prior to his encounter with Jesus. He was hustling and working really hard day in and day out. He regularly pulled all-nighters trying to catch fish so he could pay the bills. What probably looked like purpose and passion to the people around him, actually seemed to have more in common with the fear and panic of those lost New York City pedestrians. But then, in Luke 5:1-11, Jesus shows up and everything changes. 

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Jesus performs a miracle and immediately Peter confesses that he is unworthy. He is lost and adrift and doesn’t deserve to be in the presence of Jesus. Instead of agreeing with Peter and sending him away, Jesus changes the story. He says, “Don’t be afraid; From now on, you will fish for people” (Lk. 5:10 NIV). 

Jesus tells Peter, you don’t have to be lost and afraid anymore. You don’t have to drift through life. You don’t have to wonder why you were created. Instead, let me give you the purpose, the passion, and the direction, you’ve been longing for. Come with me and we’ll change the world together. 

Let me ask you this, do you have that kind of purpose and passion? Do you have that kind of clarity of vision for your life? Do you know what God has called you to do and who He’s called you to be? Follow-up question: Are you doing those things? Purpose and passion come from God and they are revealed through our stories and lived experiences. We have two choices in response; we can run from our purpose, or we can run in our purpose. I hope you run in that purpose. I hope you chase all God has created you to be with more purpose and passion than ever before. If you feel lost and panicked, slow down, take a step to the side, assess your connection to the one that gives life and purpose, and then move forward in the right direction. 

If you don’t know how to do that, I would love to help. Simply reach out and let’s connect. I’d be honored to help you get back in your race.