My colleagues and I were eating dinner with an author when she posed this question: “What do you like least about your job?” I had been working in publishing for several years, and instantly I knew my answer. “I don’t like crushing people’s dreams,” I said. “I don’t like telling them that their manuscript ‘doesn’t meet our needs.’ ”
Everyone has felt the sting of rejection. Writers understand it better than most. Which brings up another question: Why do so many of us write?
In the Bible’s first chapter, God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. . . . So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).
Our creativity shows our likeness to our Creator. We demonstrate it in writing, gardening, art, design, engineering—the possibilities are as diverse as the people on the planet. But our creative bent becomes distorted by our desire to feel important. We assign value to big numbers. Bestsellers mean “success.” We think that the more people notice us, the more successful we are.
Wrong! As Bear Rinehart of the alternative band Needtobreathe observed, “Needing a purpose is one thing. Needing success is a rotten thing.” And Rinehart’s bandmate Seth Bolt said, “Success comes . . . by having your heart and your motives where they need to be.”
We might think that what we’re seeking is to be successful, but what we really crave is God! He still takes great delight in the crown jewel of His creation (us, made in His image!), and He invites us to give Him our heart and our motives. Success comes by having the right purpose.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Samuel 13:1-19
More:
What light does Mark 12:28-34 shed on our priorities?
Next:
In your life, what reminds you that you’re an image bearer of God? How would you finish this statement “My purpose in life is . . . “?
Gary Shultz on April 7, 2015 at 6:22 am
Well, I’m not an author or writer; however, as often as I’m able I like to reply to these blogs. Consider me an anti-rejection novice. I know it takes time and insight, sometimes pulling from deep inside. I’m sure my comments are not always the best, but I want you to know, if you took the time to write, I appreciate that. Returning comment displays I have read and considered your work. Just like that starfish story, it matters to me and I’m sure others too. Thanks.
tgustafs on April 7, 2015 at 7:04 am
That is terrific! An anti-rejection notice! May we all be God’s anti-rejection notices today.
Tom Felten on April 7, 2015 at 10:22 am
Tim, I’m reminded of what God told Joshua about success; “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:8). Yes, as we study and meditate on the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit helps us pursue the wisdom that comes from God alone!
Roxanne Robbins on April 7, 2015 at 11:43 am
Tom, this morning I was praying through Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”
Tom, your comment, along with Tim’s reflections, are added reminder of the benefits that results from meditating and acting on God’s Word.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on April 9, 2015 at 2:16 am
Tim, I enjoythe music and lyrics of Needtobreathe and love their perspective on ‘purpose’ and ‘success’ – Thanks for sharing. I guess most of us want to know that what we’re doing is making a difference to someone – that we’re having a positive influence somewhere by what we do and who we are. We aren’t always aware of the difference we are making though, and that’s when truly understanding our purpose is so important – when I don’t get the positive feedback, knowing I’m still doing what God wants me to do keeps me motivated to continue doing what He wants me to do. I’m reminded of Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”