Purpose In The Midst of Uncertainty
When life brings unexpected circumstances, whether long-term or short, it can be easy to feel like we’ve lost our sense of direction and control. But in these moments there is opportunity to find a motivation that goes beyond the everyday and stands firm in the face of adversity.
Media Outlet: Tidal Magazine 2017
Photography: Marley Rizzuti
Styled by: Alpha Vomero at See Management
Hair: Dan Renée.
Makeup: Yinna Wang.
Model: Tricia Akello at Muse NYC.
Uncertainty. By definition, it is something that is not known or definite and for whatever reason, we cannot rely on it. At some point or another many of us will have felt this about something in our lives, perhaps you may even be feeling it right now. We have dreams and goals set on our hearts and it all seems well and starts to fall into place – until it doesn’t.
Whether it be promotions at work or big achievements in our field, the things we strive for can easily feel like what we were born to do and ultimately the place in which our purpose lies. So what happens when we don’t achieve these things or can’t for some reason or another, do we now have no purpose? Questions like ‘what’s next’ or ‘how will I manage’ may spring to mind and it can get pretty daunting, but we must take heart and remember there is an answer.
In my personal understanding of faith, I believe that I am created by God for a purpose and as I develop a relationship with Him my understanding of this becomes clearer and clearer, shaping the lense in which I view present situations.
When we gain a new perspective on what purpose means, one that brings hope and confidence to our innermost being, it allows us to face uncertainty and go beyond it.
Purpose Beyond The Confusion
The thing with life is that circumstances will never be certain. Adversities may come, the wind will change and it may not always blow in our favour, but within these moments lies a hidden beauty. It is only when we are faced with a season of not knowing that we can allow space for hope to grow. Defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen, hope is the belief that what we currently see in our circumstances and what is still yet to come, are realities that can be separate.
The goals, dreams and desires placed on our hearts don’t go away because situations change. Our purpose doesn’t stop when we lose the job or the house or the relationship, the pathway is merely shifting. Being able to recognise this shift and see beyond the uncertainty that currently surrounds us is key to maintaining a hope for our future. After all, if we see our purpose as the reason for which we exist then our hope for the future is to fulfil this purpose and live abundantly in what we feel called to.
At times like this I remember a quote attributed to Tina Knowles that says, ‘if you’re going through it just know it’s called going through it, you’re not going to get stuck there...’. The confusion of right now is not forever, where we stand right now or what our situation currently looks like has no bearing on how far we can go. With every tomorrow there is an opportunity for fresh direction, fresh opportunities and a chance to see the purpose of your life actively come alive.
I believe that beyond what I can see in the now, God has bigger and better things planned. He is working things out for me according to His purpose for my life (Romans 8:28) and as long as I find a hope for tomorrow, I can stand firm in the uncertainty that may surround me today.
Purpose Beyond Ourselves
While a lot of our ideas and beliefs around purpose can be susceptible to changes in our external circumstances, one thing that remains consistent and is sometimes overlooked is our ability to have human interactions.
We can consider the spheres of influence we are part of, in our homes, offices, communities and families and get a picture of the many people that we have been placed alongside. Whether we find ourselves in their midst daily or more irregularly, every interaction, big or small, is an opportunity to be others focused and find purpose in the individual footprint we leave on the lives of others.
How great would it be if we saw our purpose as one that not only encompasses our personal goals and dreams but also takes notice of the human moments, the one to ones, the buying coffee or being a listening ear. If we put our focus on here and now that we’ve been placed in and turn away from the distraction of uncertainty we can acknowledge that perhaps everything we experience happens on purpose for a purpose and that purpose is people. To reach them, to help them and to love them.
WORDS BY
Natasha Chisabingo
