Focused Living Vs. Purposed-Driven

It is amazing how at peace you can become when you discover your God-given purpose. I spent time in the fall at a ReFocus living retreat. It reminded me of my first one years ago. At that time I went away questioning my calling only to come back with a more focused and clearer view of how God has shaped and molded me in the past for the present and future work he has in mind for me. I came back to realize that all the painful events in my past and present are God's way of shaping me and sharpening the sword. I can now look at my life and look at the difficulties that I face daily in a totally different light. I am not purpose-driven because that puts the pressure on me to achieve. Instead I am practicing "focused living" which is based on how God is leading me. The congregations that are going through it now in our district in the next few months will have the opportunity to also go through Focused Living and I pray it will give them the same inner peace and understanding about their individual calling in life that it has given me.