Purpose Across Life’s Seasons: A Reflective Practice
At the De Pree Center, we imagine a world in which Christian leaders across industries and seasons of life are deeply formed as disciples of Jesus as they wisely seek the very best for the people and systems entrusted to their care.
A significant phrase in this vision is “across … seasons of life.” We believe that God’s calling to lead faithfully and fruitfully spans the whole of your life, from your first job to retirement and beyond. We also believe that your purpose, as expressed in your Christian discipleship through your work and leadership, will be different whether you are a first third, second third, or third third leader.
A grounding image for this vision comes from Psalm 92:12–14:
The righteous flourish like the palm tree,
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They are planted in the house of the LORD;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
In old age they still produce fruit;
they are always green and full of sap.
The promise of Scripture is that your fruitfulness is not determined by age but by God’s faithfulness and your obedient response to trust in God’s redemptive purposes for you and the whole world. God desires for you to be planted in the house of the LORD, planted within the people of God with a mission of faithful work and worship that spreads to the end of the earth, and to produce fruit in every season of your life and leadership.
It’s important to remember that planting seeds and producing fruit is cyclical, part of a repeated process with many parts. Consider this brief process of planting and harvesting:
- The soil needs to be prepared before seeds can be planted.
- Seeds need to be planted at the right season.
- The seeds need to be watered and cared for, noticing what is growing well, pruning the overgrowth, and attending to those aspects that aren’t growing.
- At the right time, fruit is harvested.
- Sometimes, portions of soil need to be left fallow to rest and recover.
This process can provide a framework to help us reflect on our various seasons of life. In the same way that a gardener plants different crops throughout the year, so too does God tend to different aspects of your life across various seasons.
Intentional reflection is one way we can participate in God’s planting activity. Below you’ll find some reflective questions designed to help you consider what your purpose may be in this season, find clarity on what is required of you to remain faithful to God’s redemptive purposes, and help you notice what seeds God is planting in you and through you.
Reflection Questions:
In this season of your life,
- Where is the hard soil that needs to be tilled and plowed?
- What areas are ready for you to plant seeds?
- Where in your life do you experience good, healthy growth? Where is there overgrowth that needs pruning? Are there any seeds that aren’t growing and need more attention?
- What are the areas to harvest the fruit?
- Are there any areas in your life that have been overworked and that you need to lay fallow so that it can rest and recover?
To discover more on reflection practices, explore our reflection and inner work resources.
Ryan Gutierrez
Director of Operations
Ryan Gutierrez works as the De Pree Center’s director of operations. He oversees the day-to-day administrative operations for the De Pree Center and directs the development and implementation of organizational systems, processes, and workflows. Ryan previously worked as the program sp...