A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose – a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve.
-John Maxwell, author and speaker

I hate those bumps in the road that leave you with no hope, no apparent way out, with the world seemingly collapsing around you. My normal train of thought is: Wow, you’ve really screwed up this time, there is no way you are ever gonna get out of this. Why do you do this?

And then it changes to something slightly more constructive like, Okay, what am I supposed to learn from this? Oh, yeah, that humility lesson again; I get it, I get it …

I could choose to stay stuck in that circumstance and wither on the vine, or I could figure out a way to solve the problem and then examine what I need to do differently next time – that thing we should all be doing, learning from our mistakes.

But what makes me choose to move forward? The realization or the conviction that my existence holds a purpose, a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve or a God to serve is what makes the elemental difference. Something to look toward to in my future or knowing I’m accountable to someone else is what makes me choose to move forward instead of shrinking back in fear and failure.

Contrary to the Big Bang theory or to Darwinism, each of us was created for a purpose, and whether or not you feel it, someone does love you and you were made to love others. If that was the only thing you lived for, it would certainly be enough to move you from wallowing in failure to potential success.

But when you were created on purpose, for a purpose, you were also gifted to achieve your goals. And planted deep inside of you is the passion that, when paired with the desire for achievement, leads to an explosion of success like none other, and you are shored up with confidence to carry you through the next sea of failures on your way to another eruption of success.

Does this sound like a purposeless life to you? Absolutely not! In fact, there is no such thing as a purposeless life.

Today, if you’re not sure, if you’re wavering in doubt, if you just don’t think it matters if you get stuck or if you move forward – I’m writing this to say it does matter. You matter.

Your life amounts to something invaluable and priceless, and you have so much to work toward. Whether you see it or not, you do have a person to love, a goal to achieve, a cause to pursue and the passion to deliver.

If you’re stuck, move on. Don’t stay there; take one simple, intentional step today to move forward. You will be amazed at what you can do and where that simple step will lead.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.