Every day, on the way to work, we pass by a man right before we turn onto the street that takes us to work. The same man, dressed in his green jacket. This man stands on the median of the highway where one lane merges with another. This man “directs” traffic every day. He stands about fifty feet from police men who earn a salary to do so and uses his hands to direct the traffic going in a single direction. I don’t know this man’s story. If I had to guess, I would say he is addicted to some type of substance and/or has special needs. What is clear is that he has found purpose in his directing of traffic. To him, he has the most important job out there. He has found value and meaning in his life.

What if this man lacked his feeling of purpose? What if he chose not to spend his days directing one-way traffic? What if someone told him there was no value in his position? What if someone told him his life lacked meaning? I’d hope he would continue to direct traffic and not listen to the neigh-sayers. I’d hope that he would continue to stand on that median. But, what if he didn’t? What if he stepped down? What if he chose not to define his purpose? What if he let others define it for him?

Have you ever lacked purpose? Have you ever let someone else define your purpose? Have you ever purposed to cause harm? To lie? To build yourself up? To create a larger chasm between the “haves” and the “have-nots?” Maybe you’ve identified your purpose, but haven’t stepped fully into it. Maybe you’re begging Christ for a new purpose. Throughout the past few years, I’ve stepped in each of these pits.

But, what if I passed on a message to you that I’ve recently learned. What if I told you that the Redeemer restores our purpose? That Jesus has pen strokes that write new beginnings? Would you forgive yourself for going through this life lackadaisically; paying no heed to a deliberate purpose? Could you let go of the purposes others have defined for you? Could you get real with God and ask him to ignite passion within you that will lay a foundation of purpose?

Each of us is purposed for something different. But, I’m willing to bet that God has an underlying theme for each of our purposes. I’m willing to proclaim that it has something to do with loving God and loving people. Maybe it’s to love the people in your home. Maybe it’s to love the people in your work atmosphere. Maybe it’s to love the people of Haiti. Or Kenya. Or Wichita. Or China. Or Thailand. Maybe it’s to love those with special needs. Maybe, for now, your purpose is to learn to love yourself.

Here in Nairobi, need is so noticeable. The purpose I currently have of loving Kenyans requires a shedding of self. It requires that I love with touch, presence, proximity, and dignity. Loving God and loving people requires you to stand on that median. It requires you to show up to your purpose. Even if someone tells you it lacks meaning or value.