Purpose is Present

Focus Statement

To discover our purpose,

we must focus on the present, not just the future.

What can we offer now, and who needs it?

Our purpose often reveals itself

when we act with what we have.

Point of Relation

Let me share a personal experience.

For over three decades, I've been writing poetry.

Since I was 14, I've been honing my craft,

filling notebooks with verses.

But for years, I was so focused on publishing a book

that I missed the opportunities right in front of me.

I'd think, "I'm no Poe or Whitman or Morrison.

Who's going to publish my work?"

This fixation on a grand future goal

blinded me to immediate possibilities.

Recently, I realized I could share my work through literary magazines,

who are eager to publish good poetry..

This taught me that sometimes,

we're so focused on what we think our purpose should be

that we miss how God is calling us to act now.

In fact, sermon preparation this week was a bit of a muse for me.

Here's a poem I just wrote, entitled:

Purpose

pause

"What about yesterday?" Asks the nostalgic mind.

The dream is alluring, But reality must set in. The present holds the landscape of hope for the future.

Purpose. Meaning given To hidden treasures That lie within, Embodied.

To move forward alive, A spark in the dark Recesses of the soul.

It's time to roll; The wheels of change Met with resistance From Satan's snare.

Devils will stall, But we shall overcome The trials before us. Our purpose is clear.

It's time to steer Like vessels in flight Bringing hope to all Lost in the night.

This poem reflects my journey

and the realization that our purpose

often lies in the present,

waiting for us to recognize and act upon it.

Things to Consider

We often become future-focused when contemplating our purpose,

like sailors gazing at a distant horizon.

We tell ourselves: "We'll help one day." "

We'll have enough one day."

"We'll be more prepared one day."

This mindset leads us to postpone living with meaning,

our hearts yearning for a future that feels out of reach.

But what if, right now,

you already have what you need to make a difference?

What if the seeds of your purpose are already planted,

waiting for you to nurture them today?

What Scripture Says

When Jesus saw the crowd, he recognized their need.

Instead of sending them away,

he challenged his disciples:

"Give what you have now. Trust it's enough."

This moment reveals three important lessons for us:

"First, we encounter the Mirage of Scarcity.

The disciples struggled to see value in their meager resources,

just as we often do.

But sufficiency isn't about quantity—

it's about our willingness to use what we have.

This echoes in 2 Kings 4:42-44

and John 6:32-40,

where God multiplies limited offerings to feed many."

Next, we learn about the Power of the Pause.

Jesus, mourning John's death,

sought solitude.

In our busy lives,

Jesus shows us the value of stillness.

In quiet moments,

we gain clarity and open ourselves to the Spirit's guidance.

The miracle here is Jesus' ability to see and meet needs in the present moment.

Finally, we recognize the Enough You've Been Given.

Jesus invites us to pay attention to the needs around us

and give what we have, believing it's enough.

Our purpose often lies where our joy meets the world's ache.

The real miracle is the courage to offer what seems too little,

trusting that in God's hands, it will always be enough.

These lessons challenge us to shift from scarcity to abundance,

from hesitation to action.

When we trust Jesus,

our small offerings, combined with his grace,

can meet the deepest needs around us.

What This Means for You

Now, let's talk about What This Means for You.

This isn't just a story about disciples from long ago;

it's about you, right here, right now.

Consider your life.

What gifts do you have that you might be overlooking?

Pause

Maybe it's your ability to listen,

your talent for organizing,

or, like me,

a passion for writing poetry.

These aren't just traits—

they're tools God has given you to make a difference.

You don't need to change the world overnight.

Start small.

Look around you.

Who could use a helping hand or a kind word?

That neighbor you've been meaning to help,

that friend you've wanted to call—

now's the time.

For me, it was realizing I could submit individual poems

instead of waiting to publish an entire book.

Don't wait for the perfect moment.

God isn't calling you to be perfect;

God’s calling you to be present and willing.

Your "five loaves and two fish" may seem insignificant,

but in God's hands

, they can become more than enough.

Just as I learned that

my individual poems could touch lives,

your small acts of kindness can have a profound impact.

So, I challenge you this week: take one step.

Offer one act of kindness.

Use one of your gifts to help someone else.

In doing so, you might discover a deeper sense of purpose and joy.

Remember, you are uniquely created

and positioned to make a difference.

Trust that God has equipped you for this moment, and step out in faith.

Don't let the fear of not being "good enough" hold you back,

as it did for me for so long.

Your offering, whatever it may be, is enough in God's hands.

What This Means for Us

As we consider our individual gifts,

we must also reflect on our collective blessings as a church.

We often see church through a lens of lack—

too small, too old, not enough.

But in this myopia of scarcity,

we miss the abundance surrounding us.

What if we shifted our gaze?

What if we saw our congregation not as a collection of shortcomings,

but as a tapestry of blessings waiting to be unfurled?

Imagine our dedicated members,

our rich history,

our spirit of fellowship—

not as mere traits, but as seeds of potential.

Picture the needs in our community

not as overwhelming burdens, but as invitations to serve.

What if we, as a church, lifted our seemingly meager offerings to God?

What if we trusted God to multiply our efforts, just as He did with those loaves and fish?

This, my friends, is our call—

to see with eyes of faith,

to dream with hearts of hope,

to act with hands of love.

Let's step forward, beloved church,

believing that in God's economy,

what we have is more than enough.