I saw a documentary last night on master art forger Landis. Dude was super talented! Watching his story made me want to cry though. Not only because his life went completely downhill after he got caught/exposed, but because what he did was driven by his desire to be seen, to be known, to make someone proud, to be somebody.

That was me a year and a half ago. I always wanted to be on top of my game, make a name for myself, make top 30 under 30 for my industry. But then I realized, there’s a much greater purpose to life, for my life. Achieving these things would be awesome and I’m not saying anything is wrong with being at the top of your game…we should aspire to such things, be ambitious. But, what are our motives behind wanting those things? Why do we set the goals that we set? Do we just want to be successful, fame, money?

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:6-10 NLT)

It took me one experience to realize that the people (friends, managers, co-workers, etc.) you expect to support or appreciate you, won’t always do so. When these people don’t validate you, don’t support you, don’t give you your promotion, thank you, etc., what happens? Do you get discouraged, encouraged, quit, work less hard? Do you realize how it affects you? If we’re always working for recognition, to please others, will we ever have true peace?

As long as we work for and unto others, we will never be fulfilled or find joy in our work. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 KJV). Pleasing God is what matters most. (Galatians 1:10)…but, please don’t take any of these scriptures out of context 🙂

Purpose. Wouldn’t you rather live a life of purpose instead of always searching for that something to fulfill you? If you don’t know what yours is, pray about it! We should work because we have purpose, not for recognition. You have a purpose that needs to be fulfilled, and only you can do it…with God of course, let Him lead you. It’s all for His glory.

Love y’all!

-Rinny

Sidenote: This has been sitting in my drafts for a while, gotta do better…I know!