Wandering Albatross

There is said to be 50,000-70,000 thoughts that occur in your mind in a day. This is according to Bruce Davis’ article in the Huffington post. But Davis was very specific and attributed these thoughts as supposed to be getting in the way between you and your partner. This article is not about relationships though or psychology,it’s just that often times  I hear myself, along with a lot of people saying that we have a lot of things running through our heads. So I wanted to know exactly how many thoughts the human mind can generate and handle in a day.

Just when I thought that I was thinking of so many things already, stumbling upon the 70,000 figure made me laugh. Because as I started to recall what got me all worked up today, I could still count with my fingers the mind boggling thoughts I had.

As I sat in a cafe to ponder on my thoughts, I scribbled 4 words on a blank sheet of paper. Empty/ Hollow. Purpose. Superficial.

And while my mind was on a roll,I allowed it to wander, remained quiet, drank my gigantic cup of caramel macchiato,  and waited for my good friend to talk to.

But here  was my train of thought, which i’m sure some one out there could relate to: feeling empty and hollow inside- cant’t figure out my purpose in life- resorting to superficial desires. Such a vicious cycle, and a very depressing one at that. But really perhaps there are just some days that you know what you want, and what you’re doing, and some days that you totally haven’t got a clue. But I don’t think we ought to settle with that, and I must say i refuse to settle with that conclusion. Because in my pursuit of the truth and meaning and peace…I would like to believe we all have a purpose for existence. But what exactly is it?

There could be so many answers, and it depends on your belief, faith, religion, philosophy, knowledge,discretion etc etc etc…  and having considered all of this, this is what I choose to believe in. My Christian friend, whom I met with to unload such thoughts of mine,  shared with me that  our purpose here on earth is to know God, love God and share God and His word to others. Very simple yet profound and true. Wow!  So becoming a doctor, lawyer, or an HR executive is just an itsy bitsy part of fulfilling that purpose. Having been gifted with talents, skills, and knowledge, a degree or a title is just a means of being able to fulfill that purpose.

It made a lot of sense. It’s not about us, my friend said, but it’s all about Him. If we find purpose in the things we do based on our success, our passion or the things we are good at, when we fail we tend to lose it, hence the confusion and emptiness. But if in all the things we do, from the moment we wake up, to the start of our shifts at work, to our ministries, hobbies, passion and practically if in everything,  we seek to know Him, love Him and share His love and word, even in confusion, hardship and failure we will find purpose.

In everything we do, we just have to seek Him. Love Him. And let Him be seen and revealed in the lives we live and the things we do. To  let His love be felt to others through us. Though it is difficult to do, and we may never be able to do it on our own, that is why we pray, remain faithful and depend on God’s grace.

Everyday is a battle then. In as much as everyday is an opportunity to worship and praise Him and fulfill this purpose,  everyday may also bring temptations to deny and turn your back on Him. Now I understand the need for fervent prayer and sincere reading of the Scriptures.

Indeed it is such a blessing to be surrounded by Christian friends, and I’m lucky to have thought of spending time with one. Thank you ate Crystal. Thank you J.C., for leading me to her.

So since my mind is so prone to wander, and question and doubt and worry, I know better now, to cut that train of thought and go back to the truth in Jesus, as to what my purpose is. Then I won’t be so lost in 70,000 thoughts anymore of what ought to be should be must be could be will be.

Emptiness and being hollow will turn into being  filled and overflowing with the love of Christ.

Purpose will be found in everything I do.

And superficial desires and happiness will be replaced with what matters most, salvation and eternal life.

Amazed. Excited. Enlightened. Hopeful. Prayerful. Delighted. Loved. Important. Precious. Blessed. Humbled. Joyful. A dozen of the thousand more thoughts in my mind right now as I end this entry.

What about you? What are you thinking of?

Have  a blessed day!

Romans 8:18-30

New International Version (NIV)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[b] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified;those he justified, he also glorified.