A variation of a quote attributed to Friedrich Nietzsche recently came to mind while I was toiling with some questions at work: “If you know the why, you can live any how.”
At the time, the words rang true: knowing the “why” behind what I was being asked to accomplish helped me set my resolve and persevere in managing the “how.”
And yet, it wasn’t until that evening when work was finally silent, but my thoughts were still clamoring, that I decided to remain still and listen.
In this stillness, the world still spun, tasks still piled, and my mind still raced.
In this stillness, I felt my muscles begin to rest upon my bones, each aching, as they held both their weight and my weariness.
I felt a flash of embarrassment at how quick I am to neglect caring for myself to complete a task. This realization is nothing new: I have always held myself to high standards — expecting my best in the time I have to give.
And yet, as time continues, the world keeps spinning, and the tasks continue to pile; my mind calls me silly, as these things will remain far longer than I.
What am I here for, ultimately?
This question reframes the actual quote of Nietzsche: “He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.”
Purpose.
We each have purposes that we often call responsibilities. I have a responsibility to do my job well so that I can help support my family and pay the bills. I have a responsibility to be a loving wife, mother, sister, child, friend, neighbor, and citizen.
I take these responsibilities seriously and tend to them with care, as each holds a level of accountability to another person.
My purpose, however, is based more on the reason for my existence.
If I am not clearly aligned with my purpose, I may direct my energies toward various pursuits, even those that are good or great, but may not ultimately fulfill my true calling.
Indeed, I can become so caught up in my responsibilities that I minimize my purpose, even convincing myself that I am achieving both while fearing that somewhere along the line, the balance has tipped.
As a child of God, my purpose is not tested in knowing the “why” but in reaffirming my calling in the midst of the unknowns within the distractions, deadlines, disappointments, and doubts.
My purpose is daily tested upon one of the devil’s most basic tricks: neglecting the compass of self in the pursuit of controlling the chaos.
What an easy way to get lost and not even realize it.
The devil wants to keep us so busy trying to fortify sandcastles that building the kingdom of God becomes secondary.
We minimize our right standing as children of God by becoming slaves to worldly influences and responsibilities. We are not to shirk our responsibilities, but we are not to put things or people before our purpose in Christ.
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23).
If we work to fulfill our ultimate purpose, God’s providence will prevail. God is active in our lives, and we should be active in our pursuit of Him above all.
We are building bricks daily with our thoughts, words, and actions.
These bricks can be used for many things: to build walls to divide, goals to climb, barriers to isolate, loved ones to protect, pain to bury, roads to pave, and boundaries to secure.
Even if the value of each brick is measured by its purpose, and we justify the purpose as good, it will ultimately crumble if the foundation we build upon is void of God.
Our impact as children of God is both earthly and Heavenly.
The devil wants you to forget this — he wants to convince you that your legacy is what you leave behind. God places more value on the person you come alongside today to bring to Christ for eternity.
May we move through this week as bricklayers for God. In this pursuit of obedience, God will pave the way.
We are kingdom builders: God’s kingdom.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
This column was initially published by CherryRoad Media. ©Tiffany Kaye Chartier.