Proverbs 20:5

I always like Proverbs 20:5.

The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws them out.

I want to know my purpose, my direction, my way for the day…

“What do I do?” I asked the Teacher.
“Let me dive into your heart and I’ll tell you,” He answered.
“Okay,” I said, “But how?”
“Just open it up.” He instructed.
So I opened the tiny door sealing shut my deep and dark heart. Crash! The waves of deep waters found therein threw themselves against the banks of the now open door.
“But it’s so dark and deep, you’ll drown in there!” I voiced my fears.
“I can go anywhere,” said the Teacher and in a breath He was gone.
I felt the gentle slip of his plunge even in the tempest waters of my heart. Before my thoughts were compete, there He was standing in front of me again.
“Drink this.” He handed me a cup of cold water. I drank.
In an instant I knew my purpose for living, my direction for that moment and my way for that day.
“Your heart is deep and dark. If you dive in searching for answers, you’ll drown in confusion, but if you ask Me I will gladly go to the deepest depths of dark waters to draw out for you the small cup of understanding you seek. All you must do is ask and believe whatever I give is the only way!”

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. -- James 1:5-8

The “purposes” of our lives, those things that really and truly drive us on a daily basis, are deep seated and difficult to discern, because we often try hard to fit in that we forget to be ourselves.

But “a man of understanding” realizes that what we see on the surface is often a false front for what we want others to think we are. He is patient and kind, and works with us to draw out what we really are, nurturing it when possible, correcting it when necessary. He truly understands the inner conflict that goes on within all of us.