When I first started my quest to 'find myself' during my teen years, I looked for answers in some of the most unconventional places. As the daughter of a former astrologer, I studied aspects of human personality and potential as well as Western adaptations of Hinduism and Buddhism. It wasn't until age 30, I started seeing the experiences in my life as a well-crafted tapestry that God would use to reveal His workmanship. Up until then, I felt my life had no real connection, direction or purpose. I only had glimpses of the possibilities. I eventually realized that what I was searching for was what author, Brett Johnson, calls convergence. Convergence "is the stage of life when seemingly separate life-threads are woven together for your ultimate purpose. At this juncture in your life, you have cause to say: 'Yes! This is me; this is what my life is for.'"
I struggled for so many years with depression and compulsive/addictive behaviors, it was hard for me to believe that I would ever know my true identity and purpose. As I've gone through the healing and restoration process, I've come to understand more what it means when Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (Matthew 16:25; John 15:5).
Essentially, convergence is the integration of every area of our life by way of our relationship with the Lord. Through an authentic relationship with Him (not a theological concept of knowing about Him), our true identity and purpose are seen in our career, community, creativity and our calling. It is a picture of our life as a cohesive whole and not fragmented parts that we're always trying to balance. Have you ever wondered why you can feel conflicted in the various areas of your life? Because they aren't integrated like they should be. Integration requires us to surrender all to Jesus and allow Him to live His life through us. If we don't, then all we're left with is the frustration of trying to 'balance' everything on our own which leaves us empty and unfulfilled. This is what it means to eat of the 'tree of the knowledge of good and evil' since we're attempting to the job that only the Holy Spirit is meant to do in our lives. We're simply co-laborers with the Lord and yes, apart from Him we can do nothing.
Convergence is God's original design for our lives. To experience convergence, it's a lifetime process of going through various seasons of growth and trust in the Lord. It's the key to what Jesus meant in the practical sense when He said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10b). Do you want to start now and decide to accept His gift of abundant life so you may know your true identity and ultimate purpose? If so, you'll begin to experience what life is really all about.
I struggled for so many years with depression and compulsive/addictive behaviors, it was hard for me to believe that I would ever know my true identity and purpose. As I've gone through the healing and restoration process, I've come to understand more what it means when Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (Matthew 16:25; John 15:5).
Essentially, convergence is the integration of every area of our life by way of our relationship with the Lord. Through an authentic relationship with Him (not a theological concept of knowing about Him), our true identity and purpose are seen in our career, community, creativity and our calling. It is a picture of our life as a cohesive whole and not fragmented parts that we're always trying to balance. Have you ever wondered why you can feel conflicted in the various areas of your life? Because they aren't integrated like they should be. Integration requires us to surrender all to Jesus and allow Him to live His life through us. If we don't, then all we're left with is the frustration of trying to 'balance' everything on our own which leaves us empty and unfulfilled. This is what it means to eat of the 'tree of the knowledge of good and evil' since we're attempting to the job that only the Holy Spirit is meant to do in our lives. We're simply co-laborers with the Lord and yes, apart from Him we can do nothing.
Convergence is God's original design for our lives. To experience convergence, it's a lifetime process of going through various seasons of growth and trust in the Lord. It's the key to what Jesus meant in the practical sense when He said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10b). Do you want to start now and decide to accept His gift of abundant life so you may know your true identity and ultimate purpose? If so, you'll begin to experience what life is really all about.
