Commentary on a Purpose Poem

I’ve adopted this old Saxon poem of unknown authorship as my life purpose statement. Here it is with my line-by-line commentary. My Faith is integral to my living, I know it’s not the norm to get “spiritual” in business matters, but I decided to go out on a limb by sharing. The principles of the poem are universally applicable, I think. You can skip over anything you aren’t about. 

Do it immediately

This is about not procrastinating. I make my list(s), read them, take on the line items. I fail and still procrastinate on the less appealing tasks, but I hold myself accountable with a daily journal in which I must document what I accomplished the day before.

Do it with prayer.

I couldn’t do it without prayer! The LORD is my Rock.

Do it reliantly.

I want to be notably, reputably dependable.

Casting all care

That comes right from the Bible. (IPeter 5:7 “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”)

Do it with Reverence

Tracing His Hand

It is my starting point. I hope all I do is glorifying to God. I hope I am doing things His way.

Who placed it before thee

With earnest command

All of my tasks and chores are ultimately an order from the God I serve, whether the menial and “mindless” or intensely, mentally challenging.

Stayed on Omnipotence,

He is the all-sufficient One available for me to draw my strength from.

Safe 'neath His wing,

When fear comes a-knocking, (it does for me), I have to remind myself of this.

Leave all resultings,

When it’s done, it’s done, don’t look back, don’t second guess, don’t wish it wasn’t over, don’t linger too long thinking about what you did or accomplished.

DO THE NEXT THING.

Like a machine in a way-rest, of course when needed, but do the next thing, and don’t be overwhelmed by not knowing what the "Nexts" are tomorrow or in a year or why your list of Nexts doesn’t look like you’d like it to or like someone else's list of Nexts. Just keep on.