From Isolation to Fulfillment: A Journey of Faith and Calling
- Eric Cooter
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11 (NRSV UE)
Throughout my ministry as a priest, I have spent most of my days visiting, counseling, and caring for the spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being of others. When I offered pastoral care to folks, I often discovered that so many of us struggle with a particular and elusive melancholy of the soul. This malady is one of which, some of us may not even be aware. Yet, it distracts and de-rail us from the joy, fulfillment, and peace that God desires for each of us. Jesus' healing miracles in scripture included people suffering from physical disorders: lepers, the blind, a woman with a bleeding malady, the lame, and the outcast. Their physical ailments were not the only issue of suffering. In first century Palestine, people with physical ailments were considered outcasts. They were removed from the community and forced to beg for food and often lived in poverty. They were isolated from family, friends, and the basics of compassion and support. When Jesus' restored their physical ailments to full healing, he also restored them to full stature among the community. The wall of isolation was broken, and God's people found their purpose once again and thus, joy, fulfillment and peace was experienced again.
Many of us at some point in our lives have felt lost, detached, and all alone. This isolation from relationship, or seclusion from community, leads to feelings of no purpose, which leads to a life that lacks joy. We all need purpose, direction, and a path of our own. Otherwise we merely exist, consume, or simply said, we take up space.
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Throughout the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, we "Children of God" and "Siblings of one another" find our purpose in Christ through whom, God's purpose for all creation has been clearly revealed. Jesus said, "Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34). Jesus did not merely command us to internalize sweet, sticky, sentimental feelings for each other. No, he taught us to externalize the feelings, or rather LOVE: care for, serve, give to, and seek the well-being of our neighbor. Jesus defined clearly and succinctly, our purpose and showed us where it is that we find joy, fulfillment, and peace. We discover our purpose through acts of selfless service, but it all begins first with that God-given dream of who we are and whose we are.
In God's creation we find a diversity of plants, animals, and other creatures, and each one although distinctively different, all share a common purpose. Each one in its own way, contributes to the well-being of the entire ecosystem. In their being, they find their being. I am convinced that God has created each of us with unique gifts for service. Some people spend their entire lives seeking success in their vocation and strive for the accumulation of wealth. In so doing, they chase an elusive treasure that never fills the "hole in our soul." They never find holy fulfillment. Alternatively, if can discover our true vocation and we begin to serve others through it, that calling is where we truly find joy. It is there that God meets us in the gifts given us, and God's grace flows through us.
Do you know your purpose? Do you feel lost and detached? Are you at a point in your life where you look back and say, what am I here for? I believe we all have found ourselves in this place and I for one, have been there most recently. However, I have been gifted with mentors, coaches, and messengers who came to me unexpectedly but purposefully to help me uncover my purpose. Like them, I believe my purpose is to help you discover and unpack the gifts, you cannot see in yourself. Coaching is not therapy and I am not a therapist. Coaching is holy listening with you to help you discover that God-given spark or purpose. I am committed to help people along this path. Financial constraints should not be a barrier to the work we might do together. That is why, I will work with you. Let's talk.
Reach out today by email (ecooter@gmail.com) or by phone (239-272-6131) and let's begin this journey of prayerful, holy discovery together.
Peace,
Eric+
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