One of my favorite moments in the classic children’s tale Alice in Wonderland comes at point when Alice arrives at a crossroads. She notices the Cheshire Cat in a nearby tree and asks for advice as to which road she should take.
The cat promptly asks her, “Where do you want to go?”
“I don’t know,” she admits.
“Then, any road will take you there,” the cat responds.
Cheshire Cat’s answer is unexpectedly profound.
Knowing where you want to end up has a tremendous impact on the decisions you make along the way. If you don’t care where you end up, then all roads are equal. If you are still struggling to figure out what the heck you are going to do with your life, then here are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Do something.
Sooner or later you have to take the first step or you are going to spend your life dreaming about doing something rather than actually doing it. A boat in the water doesn’t get steered very easily until it begins moving. If you prayed, sought wise counsel and have a peace about moving forward in a certain direction, then do it.
You can always get out and do something for someone else. As you explore what you are going to do with your life, look for ways to volunteer and help other people. Look for needs in your community and neighborhood. At first glance, you may think the work is below you, but take a second look. While you may think something is below you, God may think otherwise. You never know what kind of opportunities and innovations arise from seemingly uneventful encounters.
2. Remember God in everything you do.
Before you were born, God had plans for you. He gave you a unique personality to glorify Him in your workplace, relationships, hobbies-everything. God should not be checked at the door of your place of employment. You were designed to reflect Him around the clock. That doesn’t mean that it is okay to become preachy or self-righteous, but rather by living a God-infused life so that He naturally permeates everything that you do.
3. The message of Jesus is clear: If we put Him first, everything else will fall into place.
The Sermon on the Mount reminds us, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” and “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6).”
The concept is challenging but infinitely rewarding. As Francis De Sales observed, “True devotion does even better. Not only does it not spoil any sort of life situation or occupation, but on the contrary enriches it and makes it attractive. Devotion makes the care of the family peaceful, the love of husband and wife more sincere, the service of the ruler more loyal and every sort of occupation more pleasant and lovable.”
Now it’s your turn: Where do you want to go?
*Photo courtesy of ©2009-2014 alltelleringet, found here.
