Finding Purpose

Life is unpredictable, and we want to be in control. This may account for the majority of our disappointments. From our birth and during our early years, our parents take care of our needs, and the only part we play is crying when we are uncomfortable; they take over from there. When we become teenagers, we want the freedom to make decisions, but we lack the wisdom to make good decisions, so our parents have final approval rights.

As we grow up, we are often encouraged to make decisions about our future and career, so that we can select the right degree plan. Individuals who excel in athletics often consider pursuing professional sports as a career, and they choose a college based on which institution offers the strongest prospects of being drafted. Some may feel like they cannot go to college because they lack the grades or financial resources, so they either go to a trade school or get an entry-level job.

Even when we can begin our working life in the career of our choosing and with an employer we like, sometimes, things change. It is a new boss, the company has been sold or merged with another company, or you learned the job is not what you expected. Most of us have been influenced by others who have shared what they think we could be good at or what may not be good for us. Then there are movies and other sources that make certain careers look attractive. When career choices disappear due to technological changes or job outsourcing, starting over in a new field can bring depression.

I often wonder how many ever find their true purpose in life. I do not mean how many are happy with what they do or if they are not good at what they do. God gives us the ability to do many things and an attitude of gratitude for what we receive for our efforts. This morning, I watched a video of a 10-year-old girl with ADHD and Autism singing Hallelujah. It is clear to me that God has given her a special gift that is greater than her challenges. Children who are gifted in art or music may be discouraged from pursuing those paths, as they are often told such careers offer limited prospects or low starting salaries. The unanswered question is, “Will that adult struggle trying to find happiness, trying to do other jobs that bring no joy?”

My wife, Eva, knew her purpose from an early age. She wanted to be a wife, mother, and to serve God via her gift of singing. Homemaker and mother were two titles that made her happy. Cooking, sewing, cleaning, and taking care of our daughters brought her joy. She believed her gift of singing was so she could use it for worshiping God. She loved her grandchildren and teaching them things.

I wanted to be an Architect because I enjoyed drawing house plans and had logical abilities to be able to visualize different views, and was good at math. My grades were good during my first year in college; however, a summer job led me into Data Processing, which first reduced the number of courses I would take each semester and then led to a career change that became permanent. I gained extensive knowledge in computer operations, which eventually led me to become a computer operations supervisor. My experience and logic abilities got me my first programming job. My programming experience and system design abilities led to my first IT Management position, which led to Vice President of IT.

Over the 47 years I worked in IT before retiring, I had many management positions, consulting jobs, developed many large systems, and wrote thousands of programs. I designed and managed the construction of several large computer centers and computer upgrades over many years. I managed a computer processing service bureau for client customers and developed systems for their needs. I taught new computer operators and programmers over the years and managed large projects for clients and companies I worked for.

My career in IT was not easy work, and at times, I traveled more than I wanted, but it provided a good life for my family, and it was a field where I was able to use many of my abilities. A key part of my success was learning how to motivate those on my staff. To understand where their skill levels were, help them develop their skills, and give them the confidence to know they can complete their assignments. In the process, develop mutual trust relationships.

My purpose these days is to motivate others to be aware of current events and to consider how their decisions may impact their future. The owner of one of the insurance companies I worked for had a saying he would repeat, “If you want to know the future, just look at the past!” He would say that when he wanted others to understand, he was going to keep doing what he had always done in the past. I dared to explain to him that if he really wanted different results, then perhaps he needed to stop making the same decisions, and the future might be different.

When you share your life experiences with younger people, change may not happen right away. However, those lessons can take root and possibly lead to growth in the future.

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