Our Shared Purpose | Shalom

You're in for a wild ride because today, we're touching on memes, post-modernism, and the nuances of the Hebrew language. Buckle up!

Here at Her True Purpose, we talk a lot about well… purpose :)

The idea that human beings have purpose has become an increasingly unpopular perspective the last few years so I wanted to dive into this topic and explore it with you. 

Recently, I’ve noticed that online spaces are filled with half-joking comments in which people express a desire to live more simply. Some of my favorite posts feature a cute animal and have captions that refer to the poster’s absurd longing for the creature’s uncomplicated lifestyle. I find them hilarious XD

This longing is totally understandable as most of us experience modern life as complicated and disjointed. But underneath these silly posts, is a perspective that is becoming more prominent: the belief that human life has no inherent meaning–that we’re all merely organisms on a floating rock in space. 

Some post-modernists who subscribe to this view attempt to fight its inherently bleak tone by encouraging people to “create” their own meaning. Their intent seems pure but honestly, to me, this sounds exhausting. What’s the point of going to the effort to manufacture purpose?

Thankfully, there is a different perspective rooted in wisdom that brings joy and meaning. It claims that:

Purpose is part of our DNA.

We were created for it. Every single one of us was designed with love and intentionality. I believe that our purpose is grounded in the reality of God’s plan for humanity and evident in the gospel.

It's not something we have to strive for–instead, it’s a reality in which we can rest.

From my studies in psychology, it is evident that personalities widely differ from person to person. We have different dreams, different abilities, and different missions. If you didn’t already know, this is what Her True Purpose is all about! I love helping others embrace their authentic selves and find a life path that aligns with their strengths. 

However, even I have to admit  that there is more to pursuing your purpose than identifying your unique vocation. There is a purpose that unites us all. And even though it's rooted in faith, people of all religious or areligious backgrounds find commonality in it. 

I truly believe it is every women’s purpose to experience and create shalom.

You might know “shalom” as a Hebrew greeting. But the word means much more than “peace to you.” This concept refers to complete wholeness, a state of being restored.

Furthermore, the ancient Jewish concept of peace is characterized not merely a lack of conflict, but instead, by overflowing goodness. The word harkens back to the Garden of Eden where heaven met earth. It implies blessing, abundant well being, and flourishing. 

That is our shared purpose. 

I’ve noticed that most  women  have a desire to nurture—whether that looks like pampering themselves with a face mask, supporting a friend through a hard time, or taking care of a beloved pet. Even the little acts of beautification that we tend to participate in–like arranging fresh flowers or coordinating a cute outfit–are subtle ways of restoring the world.

But ushering in this complete peace isn’t always so pretty.

Sometimes, it looks like volunteering at the homeless shelter. Sometimes, it looks like working an 18-hour shift as a nurse in an intensive care unit. 

Peace-making requires us to enter into conflict and pain. Restoration necessitates that we encounter brokenness. 

No matter the level of intensity, all of us are already participating in this common purpose of ushering in shalom. All of us are called to correct distortions, create life-giving relationships, and pursue goodness. 

But in order to bring this complete wellbeing to the world around us in the most impactful way possible, we need to receive shalom for ourselves

In other words, we need to start our purpose journey by cultivating wholeness and peace in our own lives 

This is the heart of the work we do at Her True Purpose: teaching women to cultivate shalom in their own lives so that they can thrive.

Your thriving is part of your purpose and the foundation of your contribution to the world. 

There is so much value in starting with your own alignment and wellbeing before pushing yourself to accomplish things. Starting with your own shalom can be a slow process but it leads to such a deeper impact that it’s definitely worth the investment. 

I hope that this grounds you in your purpose. Even if you’re still on the journey to your vocation, know that living into this shared mission of restoration alone can be incredibly fulfilling. 

Until next time!