I believe the value of an engaged life is best measured by the clarity of our life purpose. Thus, live with purpose, on purpose!
It’s my belief that engagement with life is a necessary and healthy lifestyle practice. Conversely, engagement isn’t a function of being retired or still being in the workforce.
How so? I suspect that if you have a few years of work experience you know people who are still on the payroll but have essentially retired in place. As such, they lack purpose, have no motivation, and are completely disengaged with their career.
Engagement and Life Purpose
To be engaged with life implies, I think, that we clearly understand our life purpose. In other words, I know my WHY for living.
Often, we associate life purpose with an occupation (“I’m a contractor”) or with the predominant use of our time (“I’m a homemaker”).
Thus, we view purpose as something we do. Unfortunately, that’s an incomplete definition of life purpose.
Worse yet, when I get laid off, or ultimately retire, or become an empty-nester, I’ve just lost my life purpose!
Proverbs 24.30-34 describes life problems that are a result of being unmotivated, hence disengaged with life. In verse 30 Solomon connects disengagement with a lack of character (“void of understanding” hence no heart). proverbsforprofessionals.net
Occupation vs. Purpose
Here’s a simple example of differentiating occupation from purpose.
My occupation is teaching. But, my life purpose is to engage in the lives of my students in a meaningful way.
I want to enable those students to grow up and function effectively and productively as adults.
Thus, they become a contributor to society rather than a constant cost to society (e.g., through rehab, or being incarcerated, or needing social programs to meet their basic needs).
Apply This Today!
I can live out my life purpose through any number of occupations or activities. However, I will never live out my life purpose if I don’t clearly understand and actively pursue that divinely-given purpose!
In Deuteronomy 30.19 we read “Therefore, choose life.” As such, reverence and purpose are intentional choices. So, as I like to say, Live with purpose, on purpose!