1.6 Living With Pace and Purpose
An Adaptive Map that doesn't break acknowledges the presence of obstacles and hardships, guiding us to navigate life's path with intentional pace and purpose, especially when descending from moments of clarity or 'mountaintops' into challenging 'valleys.' By anchoring in God's calling and character, this approach enables resilient forward movement through life's struggles, aligning daily actions and purpose with faith.
Pace and Purspose: From The Mountain Through The Valley
Life is full of mountaintops and valleys, moments of clarity followed by times of uncertainty. How do we maintain direction when life brings us down from our high lights, high moments?
1. An Adaptive Map for Life: Our map helps answer “Where am I? Where am I going? How do I get there?” But beyond these questions, an Adaptive Map prepares us for opposition. The map guides us, but the pace—the small, daily, intentional actions we take—keeps us moving, especially when obstacles arise.
2. Pace Beyond Productivity: Pace isn’t about busyness or productivity. Instead, it’s about alignment with God’s call. Sometimes, that alignment means stillness and waiting, rather than rushing. Pace is the keystone habits that keep us grounded, even when challenges try to push us off course.
3. Purpose in Hardship: Purpose is our “why,” rooted in our unique calling. As Oswald Chambers writes, “We were made for the valley and the ordinary things of life.” When we descend from the mountain, purpose keeps us focused on the journey even when hope feels distant.
With an Adaptive Map, we can navigate life’s valleys and challenges. The essence of our discussion emphasizes maintaining a steady pace (actions and habits that are intentional and meaningful rather than just productive) and a purpose (a God-centered understanding of why we are on this journey) while recognizing the inevitable difficulties we encounter. Underscoring this design, the map acts a faith-centered framework for navigating both high and low points in life.
1. An Adaptive Map for Life: Our map helps answer “Where am I? Where am I going? How do I get there?” But beyond these questions, an Adaptive Map prepares us for opposition. The map guides us, but the pace—the small, daily, intentional actions we take—keeps us moving, especially when obstacles arise.
2. Pace Beyond Productivity: Pace isn’t about busyness or productivity. Instead, it’s about alignment with God’s call. Sometimes, that alignment means stillness and waiting, rather than rushing. Pace is the keystone habits that keep us grounded, even when challenges try to push us off course.
3. Purpose in Hardship: Purpose is our “why,” rooted in our unique calling. As Oswald Chambers writes, “We were made for the valley and the ordinary things of life.” When we descend from the mountain, purpose keeps us focused on the journey even when hope feels distant.
With an Adaptive Map, we can navigate life’s valleys and challenges. The essence of our discussion emphasizes maintaining a steady pace (actions and habits that are intentional and meaningful rather than just productive) and a purpose (a God-centered understanding of why we are on this journey) while recognizing the inevitable difficulties we encounter. Underscoring this design, the map acts a faith-centered framework for navigating both high and low points in life.
Discussion Questions
- How do you differentiate between being productive and aligning with your life's purpose?
- Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How did you adapt your 'pace'?
- In what ways do spiritual disciplines influence your daily actions or 'pace'?
- Can you recall a 'mountaintop' moment in your life? How did the subsequent descent challenge your purpose?
- What role does community play in helping you maintain or redefine your life's purpose?
- Discuss an instance where you had to trust in God's character rather than your immediate circumstances. What was the outcome?
- How do you handle seasons of stillness or pruning in your life? What strategies help you remain faithful to your purpose during these times?
Participate in the conversation.
This podcast is a companion to the book Map Your Life Mission (download for free or buy on Amazon). Trent and Josh tell stories, ask personal questions, develop the Adaptive Map framework, and connect the Biblical narrative in each episode.
