On Sundays I write on Spirituality, Faith and Ethics. I do it because I believe we’re all spiritual beings and have some sort of a moral compass in our lives. You can learn more by clicking here.

For as long as there have been people living in this world, people of every age, race and gender have sought to understand the meaning and purpose of life.

At one level, it’s the stuff that philosophers and theologians question and debate. At another level, it is something that all of us grapple with at one time or another.

Today, it seems like more and more people are searching for the meaning and purpose of their lives.  If you doubt me, simply consider the fact that over 30 million copies of a book called The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren, have been sold since it was first published in 2002.

I’ve been trying to remember when I first learned that my life had a purpose. I don’t mean when I first discovered what my purpose was…but when I discovered that there was a reason for my existence.

I think it must have been when I was a child, thanks to the influence of my parents, church and school.  As far back as I can remember, I’ve believed that God created me, wants a relationship with me, and put me here on earth for a reason.

Of course, this begs the question:  “What is the reason?  What is it that God wants me to be?”  I’ve discovered that this question has led to one of the greatest adventures in my life.  Gratefully, my parents, teachers, pastors, mentors, friends and others have helped me over the years to understand and clarify my purpose and calling.

Through reading the scriptures and listening to the experiences of others, I’ve discovered that God wants me to be the best “me” that I can be, according to the passions, interests, talents, skills and abilities He’s given me.  Gratefully, he doesn’t expect me to be whom I’m not.  He simply wants me to live up to my full potential as the “me” he made me to be.

What happens when we don’t understand and live according to our God-given purpose?  From my observation, we can experience more stress, conflict, feelings of unfulfillment, work-life imbalance, frustration and even a sense of hopelessness and depression.  These are all things I want to avoid in my life – how about you?

So, do you know that you have a purpose in life?  And do you know what your life’s purpose is?  One of my goals here at Life Compass is to help you discover your purpose and live out every day…to help you be the best version of you that you can be.

Why?  Because I’ve discovered that my purpose in life is to help others find more freedom, purpose and fulfillment in their life and work.  I hope you’ll come along with me on the journey, and I hope you’ll share your questions and thoughts!

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Oakland A's prospect Grant Desme is retiring from baseball to enter the priesthood.

For those of you who are new to Life Compass, I write on Spirituality, Faith and Ethics every Sunday.  Here’s why.

Have you ever thought that some people have a “higher” calling than others?  As a child, I often believed that those who work “in the ministry” as a pastor, priest, nun or missionary had a higher calling than everyone else.  After all, they serve God, right?  And everyone else serves…uh…someone else, I guess.

As a young adult I learned that God has given everyone a purpose and calling in life, and that we all can serve Him by doing what He called us to do to the best of our ability.

Whether we’re a plumber, baker, banker, attorney, mechanic, or something else, the Bible tells us, “Whatever you do, do your work as for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). It also gives numerous examples of how our work benefits and enhances the lives of others.

The problem, of course, is that we need to figure out what it is that we’re called to do.  And it seems to me that only a few people actually do that.

Yesterday, Fox News ran a story on their website about a young man who discovered his true calling.  Normally, something like this wouldn’t make the news.  In fact, I can’t recall the last time I saw a headline that said something like, “Susan Smith discovers her calling and will become a banker” or “Bob Johnson finally figures out he’s supposed to be a teacher.”

What makes this a newsworthy story is that it’s about a top major league baseball prospect who discovered his true calling and decided to enter the priesthood:

As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might’ve gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.

Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.

Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.

“I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things,” the 23-year-old Desme said. “I wasn’t at peace with where I was at.”

“I love the game, but I aspire to higher things,” he said. “I know I have no regrets.”

Some will applaud Desme because he is giving up the potential fame and fortune of major league baseball for the priesthood, thinking that “ministry” is more important than baseball.

I too want to applaud him – but not because I think one vocation is more important than another.  It’s not that baseball is not right. It’s just that baseball is not right for him!

I applaud Desme for taking the time to clarify his calling and for being brave enough to make the change, no matter the cost. And what led him to make this decision to find the work he was meant to do?

1. He realized he wasn’t at peace and didn’t feel fulfilled.
2. He aspired to be all that God wanted him to be (he called that “the higher things”)
3. He wanted to live without regrets.

What about you?  If you were on the pathway to be a major league baseball player (and perhaps earn millions of dollars), but you knew things weren’t quite right, would you keep doing it for the money/and or the love of the game?  Or would you follow your heart and do the work you were meant to do?  Please share your comments below.

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