Finding Your Purpose

Have you ever said to yourself, “What is my purpose? What could I possibly bring to the table to serve G-d and man?” I think most of us say that at one time or another. When I think about that question, I often reflect upon the idea of Tikkun Ha'Olam. Tikkun Ha'Olam is the simple idea that we should each work to help heal our world. A great rabbi from long ago said this: “You are not obliged to complete the work, neither are you free to abandon it.” More simply put, we each have a responsibility to use our gifts and talents to make the world a better place. We don’t have to fix the mess, but we have to do our part to make it better.

G-d gives everyone a special gift. The apostle Paul said, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” This is so true. Think about it sometimes. Some people are gifted artists and musicians. They make our world a more beautiful place. Some people have the gift of hospitality or compassion. Those people make the world a gentler place. Some of us have the gift of teaching. We help people to understand things. Others have the gift of understanding or discernment. There are as many gifts as there are people. And G-d doesn’t forget anyone.

Each of us has the responsibility to dig deep in our hearts and to ask G-d what He thinks about the matter. I mean, really, if He gave us the gift, then He surely can show us its nature. You may already have identified your gift. Often, the activities that tickle your spirit and that give you soul-satisfaction are your gifts. Intuitively our spirit knows even before we do because “… it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty that gives them understanding.”

So pray. Receive your gift or gifts with joy. Then go out and help to restore our broken world. If we each do our part, we will have participated in Tikkun Ha'Olam. In doing so, we can be lights unto the world and ambassadors for G-d.

Cheryl Zapien