By Rebekah Vari

About eight to ten years ago I had grand visions of what I was going to do with my life. I had it all planned out. I would travel, speak, write, and disciple young women all over the country. They would be challenged to embrace God’s best, and I would be consumed with the fire of one who was out to change the world. As I think back on my lofty aspirations, I have to smile – not at the aspect of me having big dreams, but at my naïveté in thinking that it was the big things in life that held the most weight.

Once I finished high school, there was no lack of ministry opportunities and chances for me to expand my skills. Many times I thought something might develop out of the numerous “little things” around which my life revolved – but nothing ever did. The older I became, reality set in, and my visions of grandeur soon faded. I found myself in a place where few young women desire to be but most end up experiencing: anxiously wondering what “big thing” I was supposed to do with my life.

Then came the opportunity for me to work for a Christian ministry for two years. In the past, I had always assumed that while working for a ministry one would be fulfilled, directed, and have satisfaction with where they were in life. While I was definitely at peace with the fact that I was in the very center of the Lord’s will, I found myself still wondering about my life direction. In fact, more than ever I found myself asking the question, “What am I supposed to be doing with my life?” Here I was – working for a worldwide Christian ministry – and I didn’t have any of those feelings of having “arrived” at my intended destiny.

It wasn’t until I was getting ready to come home that I stumbled upon the key to my wonderings. The Lord had made clear that my time at the ministry was coming to an end, but the question kept filling my thoughts, “Where was I to go from here?” Just before I went home I had the chance to spend some time alone with the Lord. My lack of purpose and direction was at the forefront of my thoughts. I asked the Lord what He had for me. I was looking forward to going home, but I was frightened of getting home and being “purposeless”.

The answer I received changed the way I looked at my life from that point. It was, “Take it one day at a time, stay focused on Me, and leave the rest in My hands.” One day at a time – that was all I had to live. That was all that I had ever been expected to live. My focus was no longer to be on what I was doing, but on Whom I was serving.

One of my themes for this year is from Luke 11:40-42. The story of Mary and Martha is a familiar one, but I am challenged to take Jesus’ words to Martha to heart: “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Mary’s purpose seemed obvious: Do all she could to support and encourage Jesus in His ministry. However, Mary wanted something more – something that she couldn’t get by continuous hours of endless serving. She understood that her significance came not from what she did, but on Whom she was focused.

The “what” is still important, but I’ve discovered that it’s not nearly as important as I used to think it was. The Lord doesn’t desire a series of incredible exploits from me. Instead, He wants a relationship – a relationship that’s played out in my day to day life no matter what I’m doing.

I was recently inspired by a quote from Oswald Chambers. When applied to the aspect of purpose in life, it comes alive with meaning: “We look for visions from heaven, for earthquakes and thunders of God’s power . . . and we never dream that all the time God is in the commonplace things and people around us. If we will do the duty that lies nearest, we shall see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes when we learn that it is in the commonplace things that the Deity of Jesus Christ is realized.”

Since then, I’ve sought to look for “the duty that lies nearest” me, whatever that may be. For me, it involves researching and updating educational curriculum, working at the library, editing articles, teaching sewing lessons, working toward a communications degree, putting together plays with the young people at church, making dinner, cleaning the bathroom, and whatever else happens to cross my path at the moment (you’d be surprised!). I find that my duty is always close at hand, and the Lord is never far off.

No person ever has true purpose in life unless it is founded on a personal relationship with Christ. Never allow anyone to convince you that your purpose in life can’t be fulfilled through the little things. What is the duty that lies nearest you today? I challenge you to find it.

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Rebekah is a home educated young lady from Ohio. She is currently at home after having served with a Christian ministry in Chicago for two years as Research Editor for their home education curriculum. Her interests include reading good books, working at the library, researching historical and biographical subjects, enjoying good music, sewing costumes and other clothing, and planning dramatic presentations for the young people in her church.

We are delighted to have Rebekah Vari serving as an editor and writer for the Families of Destiny website.