"Basking in Birthday Bliss: Happy Birthday to me"

"There are two great days in a person's life - the day we are born and the day we discover why." 

*William Barclay

I came across this quote as I was looking for something inspirational to set off this birthday post, and I realized something...I have heard this saying many times before, but I never really understood it or appreciated it until this exact moment.

I knew that when God created me, I was created with a purpose; everything in life has a reason behind it...something that when you look back on it, you understand the "why".  That why as you reflect on it hits you like the apple that fell on Isaac Newton's head, under that tree, during his sudden discovery of gravity.


Although my reflections on past and recent life events lead to a sudden sort of epiphany of what my purpose here on earth may in fact be, I know that the discovery of it was more of a gradual experience.

Listening this morning to Steve Furtick's #FunctionalFaith series sermon "The Seed is on Schedule" he states the following: "the real test of the seed is...can it survive the soil?"  You can see the beginning of a thing...it may not be easy and you might have a long way to go, but it's a process that will eventually turn into a season of harvest. The seed sprouts and grows because of the work in the soil...You have to believe that the purpose is still working even when the process seems invisible."

Mark's "planting of the seed" analogy (chapter 4:26-29) helps me to understand that everything is a process, but with hard work, trust, and faith, you will receive all of what you have been planning, preparing, and patiently waiting for: that everything you endured to get to that harvest was purposeful with each step taken because God simply was preparing you for the reaping of that harvest.

"So how does this relate to self discovery and a purpose driven life Erica" you may ask.  Well, it's all about timing.  It's all about the schedule of things. it's all about realizing that eventually, you see how everything in you life thus far works together like a gigantic puzzle, and as those puzzle pieces began to take form, you get closer to fulfilling your destiny.  You appreciate your life and you finally understand the part you play in all of it.

 

At least that is what is happening to me; I've really been trying to appreciate all of what I'm blessed to have and see the purpose in many situations. I also finally figured out exactly what I want for my life and the effort I need to put towards it to make all of my dreams a reality. I went through many ups and downs, many I don't knows, many I can't do its, many I'm not good enoughs, many hows, whys, and whens, many challenges and obstacles, many sabotaging moments...the list can go on if I allowed it to.  But I am not. And I do recognize and understand that these sorts of self doubting circumstances will not never be again in my life.  But at this moment, I realize that going forward, it is about "surviving the soil".  It is about overcoming obstacles.  It is about dedication to the dream.  It is about forever focus.  It is about being positively passionate . It is about tough trust and fighting faith.  It is about discovering who you are and all you want to be, receiving all of what you want out of life, and making things happen.  It is about finally realizing your purpose and using it as a driving force to a greater you.

Self discovery and figuring out my purpose in life IS my biggest harvest I think yet; at least it is the umbrella in which all of my other harvests fall under.  So it is up to me to carry on with nurturing my growth.

In the words of  Steve Furtick, there is purpose on me, provision inside me, protection all around me, and potential waiting to be released.  I'm not just basking in birthday bliss today, I'm basking in self discovery and purpose.  I'm basking in this beautiful and bountiful harvest called LIFE!

Thank You God for another opportunity to get it right: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!