I remember reading the story of Abraham when I was in my teens. This story stood out to me more than others, perhaps because it offered excellent and personally relevant advice at a time when I really needed it. As a young man I was very concerned not to waste my life bouncing around from purpose to purpose, pillar to post, seeking and never finding. I was driven to live my life on purpose.
Abraham, or Abram as he was known at the time, was also compelled to discover his purpose in life. He realized at a certain point that he had to take specific action if his life was to amount to anything. He became conscious of the fact that he had to get out of his country, from his kindred and most specifically from his father’s house so that he could be in position to receive a great promise, or put otherwise, his life’s purpose.
I took the advice literally (though such advice need not always be taken literally) and discovered my purpose before being reunited with my family, kindred and country some years later, albeit on a new basis. Whereas before I was dependent on all three, after finding myself I was able to provide for all three in ways that previously would not have been imaginable.
One lesson I learned from this experience is that you cannot grow if you are unwilling to go through the discomfort of the unfamiliar every now and again. While comfort is not inherently a bad thing (it depends how you use it), it is a powerful motivator, one that compels many to trade their life’s purpose for something less.
Another lesson I learned is that you have to be willing to lose your life – figuratively speaking – to find it. You must take specific steps to loosen the ties that bind you to mediocrity and to strengthen the foundation upon which your life’s purpose can be safely and consistently expressed.
You have a great promise to receive, but you must prepare yourself to become conscious of it. No one can tell you it, neither can another accept it on your behalf. Your promise is your promise. And it is yours to discover.
What are you waiting for? Snap to it!
Gregory Hake 
You have inspired me to go back and read this story again. I missed a lot of the practical wisdom available through it, but as you say, what am I waiting for?! (:
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I appreciate your words, “to strengthen the foundation upon which your life’s purpose can be safely and consistently expressed. You have a great promise to receive, but you must prepare yourself to become conscious of it.” Yes as we are strengthening our foundation by making the right choices so we are in position to provide for our world it becomes evident there is always more. Always more to provide and receive an awareness of an even greater life purpose than we have previously known. Here in essence we realize we have been entrusted with a sacred trust to live a life as Abraham did.
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Moving out of the familiar always has at least elements of discomfort, but if comfort is a predominant motivator, a person will always sink into mediocrity. Often, too, I think the specter of discomfort is as daunting as the actual discomfort itself! Moving decisively in directions that are recognized to be right may involve a little pain, but dithering can keep one in the pain zone for much longer. Just do it!
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Great comment.
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Recently I saw the 1950’s movie “A Man Called Peter” it seemed he had a similar experience and was driven to stay on purpose as well. At one point he says something to the effect that he finds it harder to believe that we have no purpose. Why would we exist? Both these stories also demonstrate that in order to stay on purpose there are going to be stretches of time you can find youself doing things you’d never have planned, some pleasant, some not. The point is, it seems staying on purpose is not a direct route, it can be uncomfortable at times. I think it takes courage, faith and belief to stay on purpose. Wonderful post, thank you.
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I’ve found this to be true as well. The discomfort is a normal process of growing and learning.
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That is a slippery slope indeed, to act on the basis of that which pleases the senses. Things have become quite confusing in our world, where perhaps more than ever there exist endless ways to gratify our physical appetites. Once again, nothing wrong with comforts per se, up until your life’s direction gets shaky and you lose balance; everything will become more difficult as good decisions hang on being centered. It’s in the center where purpose is discovered, and allegiances on either side tip the scales. This too is a lesson I am continually discovering!
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Having examples of great men who are willing to live their life with integrity and look to “provide” to their world rather than drain its resources are much needed in the world today! I too was always concerned to align myself with purpose, and as you mentioned, it can and does become uncomfortable as you “lose your life” and allow yourself to function at new levels.
I was reminded of the value of working through uncomfortable phases of life as I watched my 12 year old daughter struggle to learn to ski. It was new to her, challenging and scary, she wanted to quit early on but after some perseverance she succeeded and found a new and exciting life open up for her. Her friend and father were amazing examples of support and encouragement that was needed for her to see her potential. Your blog and your words provide such a steady example of encouragement for others. Thanks Gregg!
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I think that it is so important not to get stuck in a rut where you feel like you are unable to make changes in your life. Any sort of stagnation like this will inevitably lead to you not living up to the potential you are capable of. Even worse, a pattern of missing opportunities will not only have you miss your full potential, but eventually you will lose the capabilities that you currently have access to. If you are not growing, you are diminishing. There is really no way to just stay the same forever.
I think Abraham’s story is great because it nicely shows a transition that he had to make from someone who was influenced to someone who influences. He had to take the first step to even have a chance to find his purpose in life. However, I know that the transition to leave you father’s house should merely be the first step in a life of continual growth and change. When you find out what your purpose is, you still have to make the appropriate choices to fulfill that promise.
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