Would Rick Warren approve?

I've finally responded to a challenge issued a few weeks ago to write a personal purpose statement - to put on paper the reason that I was created. I don't know what it was so hard. I think, primarily, it is my need to "live up to" my purpose. I felt as if any "calling" requires personal perfection before it can even be spoken, much less written.

Here I am, though. A more broken vessel you will not likely find, yet I do have a purpose. I've known it for a time because in those instances where I embrace it, people respond. I don't mean that they respond to me, per se, they respond to the words I say which point beyond me. I am, in essence, a shepherd. I exist to guide, to lead, to teach and train. It's really as simple as that, but I'm even shaking while typing it. It's too much. Can it be true? It has to be true. I can make excuses all I want, but something happens when I get into that guiding role. Things click. It's as if God says "OK, now that you're here, get out of the way and put me on display."

It has taken me the better part of thirty years to come to this point, but I feel a huge weight lifting. I don't have to search anymore. I don't have to wonder anymore. I don't have to apologize anymore for ending up in this role time after time. It's why I'm here. It's why I care so much about seeing people thrive around me. I'm a shepherd, plain and simple.