Purpose Stimulus Part 2

Persist Determinedly

In Part 1 of “Purpose Stimulus”, we examined the concepts of TAILWINDS, HEADWINDS, and CROSSWINDS. We concluded that all of these WINDS would eventually land us in our destiny to an on time arrival, delayed arrival or canceled arrival. Our final thought was, “WE NEED THE WINDS OF LIFE TO HELP US GROW.” WIND(s) is a formative concept that when encountered, we are shaped for our DIVINE ASSIGNMENT!

Contemplate on this thought, if winds were nonexistent, there are consequences that would ensue. The earth would not rotate, aircraft could not take to the skies, rivers would cease to flow, and temperature extremes would increase all over the world. When wind is evolving (DEVELOPING) and moving (IN MOTION), things change.

During a summer vacation to Aruba, I was extremely fascinated by a tree that grew all over the island. It is called the “Divi Divi” tree. This beautiful specimen’s shape is most unusual in that it only grows in one direction due to the persistent trade winds. These constant winds force it to assume a southeast position that acts as a natural compass. The root system is so deeply GROUNDED that it allows the tree to bend without breaking and prevents it from being tossed to and fro.

As we continue on Life’s Journey, I want you to seriously think about all the WINDS blustering in your presence. No matter what the direction, they were created for a PURPOSE to point us to God’s purpose here on earth.

At times WIND(s) seem to be slowing us down, or accelerating us faster than we intend to go. We may even appear to be defeated or knocked off course! These are the moments when we must be DETERMINED TO PERSIST and allow the CREATOR to MOLD us to be more like him.

Calm WINDS (the absence of wind), can trick us. We think that because there is no movement in our lives, everything is smooth sailing. This is the occasion to take stock and strengthen our foundation. It’s an opportunity to become grounded in our faith.

The Divi Divi tree takes years to develop a strong root system. It grows strong and stays attached to its source for strength and nourishment. When the winds come, it stands and is sculpted undeniably by an unseen force of nature.

My friends, embrace the winds of life and know that WIND(s) of life will always be here now, tomorrow and forever, BUT GOD is a NEVER CHANGING, CONSTANT, and PERSISTENT force in our lives that guarantees our direction to DESTINY.

I leave you with these words of life to meditate on:

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

Ephesians 3:16 I pray that from His glorious unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. v-17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not.

Purpose Stimulus

Tailwinds/Headwinds/Crosswinds

I am certain most of us have been passengers on a commercial airline flight and have heard the pilot announce, “Due to TAILWINDS we will arrive at our destination 30 minutes early”, or “Due to HEADWINDS we will arrive 30 minutes late.”

Just for clarification, I’ll take a minute to define TAILWINDS and HEADWINDS.

A TAILWIND is a wind that blows in the direction of a travel of an object, while a HEADWIND blows against the direction of travel. They both have varying degrees of intensity.

Airline pilots do not turn the aircraft around and go back to the original takeoff city because it is too difficult to navigate when these atmospheric conditions exist. They simply make the necessary adjustments in order to attain the intended destination. On the other hand, they take advantage of the substantial TAILWINDS pushing the jet at a greater speed, which guarantees an EXCEPTIONAL, GREATER THAN EXPECTED, on time arrival! We can also label it as AHEAD OF SCHEDULE!

As we pursue purpose there are many opposing forces designed to hinder us and nonresistant forces that propel us. Surprisingly, both of these influences allow perfect timing to achieve destiny. Some flights do arrive AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, but in our LIFE’S JOURNEY, the PROCESS OF TIME, delivers us to our DIVINE APPOINTMENT according to the timetable which has already been prearranged or PREDESTINED. Woven within each situation there is a stimulation to PERSIST DETERMINEDLY.

Did I forget to mention CROSSWINDS? Let’s address these as well. Crosswinds are winds that blow across ones direction of travel. These winds are very dangerous in aviation because they have the capability of disrupting landings and takeoffs altogether. Mind you I said DISRUPT! Airline pilots must have total control of the aircraft to handle this type of interception.

When we encounter these winds in life, all of our plans can come a halt! We can get knocked off course for sure, but rest assured (God) the Captain of Our Souls, takes command!

When all of these winds present themselves as doubt, discouragement, unforgiveness, fear and temptation, we must be inspired (stimulated) to persist amid the opposing forces, and focus on those things that propel us to arrive to our preordained destiny at the appointed time, regardless of the circumstances.

We need the winds to help us grow and take us on our JOURNEY!

Aircraft Fleets

Potential Meets Purpose

By now you should have pondered intently on the question, “WHY AM I HERE”?

I’ve talked with many people, some much younger and some much older who have never considered the aforementioned phrase. The most common answer is, “I DON’T KNOW” The good news is that by the fact that we still exist assures us of this one thing-it’s not too late to discover our PURPOSE for being!

During my career, I became familiar with over one hundred types of aircraft. I realized that each model was equipped to navigate specific journeys at different rates of speed, altitudes and attitudes. However,they all had one single PURPOSE, which was to transport passengers from point A to point B.

I quickly learned from the cockpit crew that the position of the jetliner is referred to as “attitude” and how high or low the aircraft flies is referred to as altitude, which is determined by its position.

We have been equipped by God with with gifts and talents to maneuver on our journey to fulfill HIS PURPOSE for our lives. Some of us have been gifted differently than others, but our design gives us the capability to reach the intended destination at the set time.

The thought process (attitude) we possess will determine the quality of our journey. The expression, “have a good attitude”, can be somewhat misleading. Consider this: assume a correct attitude or position that will elevate not lower your ascent to discover PURPOSE.

Airliners will encounter obstacles along the flight path such as other aircraft traveling the same route, turbulence, etc. and must make adjustments to continue to their destination. We must make adjustments in pursuit of PURPOSE. The journey is challenging but necessary to achieve the assignment.

Maya Angelou said: ” If you don’t like something, change it, if you can’t change it, change your attitude.” I’d like to say, take a different position!

Each jet in an airline fleet requires different amounts of fuel to operate efficiently and effectively and we are similar in that the level of OUR (not anyone else’s) potential, is an essential component that propels us upward and outward – it reaches up to God and out to the world.

POTENTIAL MEETS PURPOSE when we ACCEPT that we are fueled by what God put in us at every stage of life and become totally conscious that TODAY is our starting point!!

Preflight Briefing

PURPOSE- the reason which something is done or created or for which something exists

Preflight Briefing is a term used for flight preparation of airline crews. There are many things that must be considered in order to have a successful flight. The purpose of the Preflight Briefing is to ensure that the flight operates efficiently and everyone is aware of each specific responsibility that determines a safe and uneventful experience to reach the appointed destination. Preparation is an ever evolving lifelong process that leads us to our purpose. Every experience has within itself a seed that develops from one stage to the next, landing us in the exact place we were purposed to be.

I never imagined that in my young, very young, years, my adventuresome spirit and love for people would actually cause me to travel to places I could only dream about. Intertwined in that desire, was a destiny that has been designed to expose who I really am and why I exist.

Ask yourself now, “WHY AM I HERE?

Many times we are led to believe that we must be accomplished in certain areas of society to have a meaningful existence without understanding the realm of PURPOSEFUL EXISTENCE. Anything we are passionate about is the foundation of why we are here.

Today you may have greeted someone with a lovely smile and you had no idea that no one smiled at that person for quite a long time. As a child perhaps you were the one who always encouraged others. You were created for that person on that day who needed a pleasant gesture. I know this is seriously basic example, but we have to understand that even our smallest efforts that are sometimes overlooked have great consequences as we travel through life.

Whatever you are experiencing or have experienced, is a pathway that leads to fulfillment of your destination. This is a vital part of the journey-embracing each day as preparation time that exposes the essence of you.

In my next blog, we will continue to understand PURPOSE and how POTENTIAL is a blueprint that allows us to embrace each stage of living life.