It's Like A Lawnmower Blade...

Purpose. It's a small word, but it contains life-altering direction. When we talk of purpose, what we are really getting at is meaning...What gives meaning to the things we do...school, friends, family, work, sports, etc. Our purpose will affect every aspect of our lives. Where we go, our purpose goes. It's kind of like the blade on your lawnmower...

I had the "privledge" of learning to cut the grass at my house growing up, at a young age. My dad wanted to give me responsibility, so the best thing he could come up with allowing a 12 year old to play with gasoline, a motorized tool, and sharp metal blades...smooth dad, smooth.

But what I learned from my experiences, besides that freshly cut grass leaves terrible stains on brand new sneakers, was that wherever the lawnmower went, the rotating blades affected the grass it came in contact with...Ok...so it's not brilliant, but think about...every piece of grass that came in contact with the mower was affected by the blades.

This lawnmower example reminds me about purpose...wherever we go, whatever we do, our purpose plays a role. For instance, if our purpose in life is to gain success, then the desire for success will affect every aspect of our lives. Our friendships will be our road to popularity (a.k.a. success). The point of doing our school work will be to reach the perfect school, so that we can get the perfect job, and yup...you guessed it...feel successful. You see how it works? Our purpose follows us...wherever we go, whatever we do, our lives are driven by our purpose...

So where do students find purpose?

This is the question we want to focus on this week...

Use these questions and passages of scripture this week to begin to think about life's purpose...

1. Read Ecclesiates 2:1-11

King Solomon did an experiement...he wanted to find purpose...think about the places he searched. How do students/people search for meaning and purpose in these same areas?

vs. 2- laughter/pleasure

vs. 3- wine/drugs/etc...

vs. 4-6 work/school work/career

vs. 7- stuff

vs. 8- money

vs. 8- relationships

vs. 9- popularity/success

2. Read verse 11- why do you think after all of this, Solomon felt like he was "chasing after the wind"...what does this anology mean?

3. Read Col. 3:17...what would it look like to do "whatever" we do, for God? What does that look like in:

- relationships

- family

- media

- school

- sports

- faith

- etc.

This week, we want you to simply focus on where the world seeks meaning and purpose in life. Next week, you will have the opportunity to focus on your specific purpose. Allow this week to prepare you for next week!

We hope you can make it our this Thursday at 7 at Matt & Amanda's for our senior high KAIROS group to discuss and challenge one another with this weeks topics!