6 Reasons For Disillusionment While On Purpose Pursuit – Part 2

Doing the right thing is not necessarily insulation from trouble and disillusionment. Jesus Christ at the garden of Gethsemane had a bit of disillusionment about his purpose. “If this is your will…” Then on the cross, “Why have you forsake me?”

It is one thing to face disillusionment coming from the fact that you are not in purpose pursuit, and quite another to face the same because you are in purpose pursuit. This could be a result of several reasons.

1. Maybe You are not Mature

2. Maybe You Feel You are Not Appreciated

A young man was an organist in a large church in Texas. He was a fine musician, but, being blind, was unable to read in the faces of his audience the great pleasure his music was giving. His caressing touch on the keyboard sent out through its great pipes the songs of his soul. People would talk to each other about the beauty and the uplifting influence of his music. Often his music sent tears down furrowed cheeks. But no one ever thought to tell the organist, who was longing to hear a word of response.

Disillusionment Acted on

One morning it was announced that he would not play after that service. His decision was final; another organist must be secured. After the service, a woman who had enjoyed his music thoroughly went up to him, and said, very earnestly, “I am sorry you will not play for us any longer. I have enjoyed your music so much. It helped me greatly; it soothed and comforted me when I sorrowed. I have thought many times I would tell you what an inspiration I have received through your music. I thank you for it.”

Lack of Appreciation

The young man’s voice faltered, and tears rushed to his sightless eyes as he whispered, “Oh, why didn’t you tell me sooner? I needed comfort and inspiration, too.”

Unfortunately, very many visionaries of purpose are like this blind pianist. They are daily churning out inspiration and creating things that transform their world. However, their supposed audiences are appreciating in silence. They never get direct appreciation.

Give and Take Counters Disillusionment

If this continues long enough, disillusionment sets in and people start questioning the validity of their purpose pursuit. Some have even slowed down only to get one scattered appreciation that gives them a shot in the arm to restart or continue.

A lack of appreciation for what you do can at times cause disillusionment in your life. Here are some of the ways you can circumnavigate that notion:

1. Don’t do it for the crowds

People are crazy. Don’t have your heart set on people. They will laugh with you today and stab you in the back tomorrow. They will welcome you like a King on Sunday and a week later on Friday, have you hanging on a cross.

The sure way of getting disillusioned with your purpose pursuit is to do it for the applause of men and women. Whereas purpose pursuit benefits typically other people, do not set yourself to be rewarded by getting appreciated. That shouldn’t your primary focus. Transformation should.

“The sure way of getting disillusioned with your purpose pursuit is to do it for the applause of men and women. Whereas purpose pursuit benefits typically other people, do not set yourself to be rewarded by getting appreciated. That shouldn’t your primary focus. Transformation should.”

— Lawrence Namale

2. Sons or servants?

If you are to focus on people, there are just a few of them that will buy into your vision and purpose pursuits. These are like your sons. They are not servants for hire. They are there for you through thick and thin.

When you have such people running the race with you, whenever disillusionment comes your way, they are able to stem it by standing with you and giving you support. They do that not because they are being paid or are gaining from it. They do it because they care about the vision. Surround yourself with such like people.

3. Niching

You are not being appreciated because probably you are not ‘sharp’ enough in terms of being on the cutting edge of your craft. You are all over the place trying this and that. People can not nail down one thing on you, and therefore there is nothing to appreciate other than just marvel at your work rate.

You get disillusionment because you are attempting many things that are not yielding as much as you would have wanted and nobody appreciates your work. They don’t see any transformation that you are doing anyway because you are trying to save everyone.

Get a niche. A smaller group of specific and unique people that can appreciate your work.

“You are not being appreciated because probably you are not ‘sharp’ enough in terms of being on the cutting edge of your craft.”

— Lawrence Namale

4. Focus on the ‘praisers’ and not the critics

You get attached too much to what critics will say. Let me set you at ease: You will always have critics. If God has hundreds of thousands of those, what about you? I know how criticism can burn you deep in the heart, at times if it comes from the people that you care about.

The sure way of getting disillusionment is when you allow critics to have more clout in your life than those who praise you. Ignore the critics.

“The sure way of getting disillusionment is when you allow critics to have more clout in your life than those who praise you. Ignore the critics.”

— Lawrence Namale

5. The evidence of your purpose is not in people, it’s in the heart.

At the end of the day, if you think that people will validate your purpose, your dreams and your pursuits, you will be a great candidate for disillusionment. The evidence for the validity of your pursuit is never outside of you. It is always inside. That’s why it is unique and you are perhaps the only one who understands it.

If you still feel disillusioned after reading the article on maturity and this one on recognition, let’s see what we can learn from the next article.