It’s day 29 of the series 31 Days of Lessons Learned from My 20’s. If you want to read all the posts in this series, you can find every post listed here. If you want to have all the posts delivered to your email inbox, subscribe here.

If you’ve studied child development at all, you know that young children go through a stage of development called egocentrism where they basically think they are the center of the world. Their rights are the only ones that matter. Their thoughts are the only ones that are valid. Their wants are on-demand.

I have to admit – there were many times in my 20’s that I acted like an egocentric child.

My life was planned out to the very year and month. Marriage, babies, career, homes, home decor, neighborhoods, activities, vacations, social engagements. All of it. I had built a life in my mind that I was determined to achieve. Quite frankly, creating this life became an idol. As my world spun around me, I made many bad choices. Choices that left scars and consequences and regrets.

Then in my late 20’s the world started to open up a little bit. Slowly I saw glimpses of a life bigger than me – a life not based on one I had conjured up in my mind. A life that God desired. A life that honored Him. One that brought Him glory.

The world is bigger than you.

For the first time I realized that the purpose of my life is not to bring me happiness. It’s not to create a fairytale with a white picket fence and 2.5 kids. It’s not about smocked baby clothes. It’s not about family portraits on the beach. It’s not about huge, themed birthday parties. It’s not about a dream home.

The purpose of my life is to love God, love others, and show His life within me to the world. Happiness is simply the joy that comes as a byproduct of living out this purpose.

I don’t think this is something only children and 20-somethings struggle with. In our world today, we are bombarded constantly with a “me mentality”. It’s so hard to keep on the belt of truth.

But friends, the truth is that the world is bigger than you. And it’s bigger than me. We are nothing more than pieces of a gigantic puzzle telling God’s story of redemption and grace. Today is a part of eternity.

I wish I had learned this sooner. And I use the word learned lightly.

Two years ago I went to Africa on a mission trip. It was my first mission trip. I begged God to not make me go. But He wouldn’t let my mind stop. The more I thought about it, the more I prayed about it, the faster my heart beat inside my chest. That’s always my clue that’s God’s speaking. So I went.

If you want to see a world bigger than you, go to Africa. Or go anywhere outside of your daily culture for that matter. Suddenly you will seem so small. So insignificant. You will feel such remorse for your life. Not because you’re not grateful. But because you are so blessed and yet you don’t even know it. 

I landed back in the United States on December 2nd. We had put up our Christmas tree before I left. I walked into our living room and turned to the left where the Christmas tree sat, presents already underneath. Sobs blubbered out of my mouth. Tears poured out of my eyes. My Compassion child’s hut was the size of one-fourth of the room I stood in. And there I was.

So, no, I haven’t learned this to completion. Most days I forget that the world is bigger than me. I forget about Africa. I forget about the neighbor across the street who blares his rap music with curse words. I forget about the homeless person I pass going to the grocery store. I forget about the young girl who just found out she is pregnant. I forget.

And instead I shop online for smocked clothes for my baby girl. 

Today ask God to open your mind to this world, this great big world that is His story, and give you perspective on your specific purpose in it. I’ll do the same.

What idol do you need to give up that keeps you in an egocentric mindset?