Purpose-Centered Life

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how” 

-Friedrich Nietzsche

What’s your purpose?

I’m not talking about our shared purpose, the Great Commission to spread the gospel to all (Matthew 28:16-20), the truth is, reaching the lost looks different for each of us, and our purpose is the “how” we are to bring about the most influence. The world is waiting for us to discover our own unique destinies. God isn’t one for copycats or clones, he created us all uniquely and our calls reflect that, but do you know what you are called to do? Do you know what your destiny is?

Throughout my life, I’ve discovered that any person of greatness was someone who knew without a doubt what their calling was and chased after it with everything they had. They didn’t fear but surrendered their lives entirely to the call and the glory of God. Now because of their passion, we remember them and think, “Wow, they had a greater call than the average man or woman.” The truth is we all have a great call, we just don’t have a great desire behind it.

Remember, we all have as much of Jesus as we want. As much influence as we desire. If we truly wanted to give our lives over to this destiny, everything would change! Our lives and our hearts reflect what we really love. Ouch, that is a painful fact, and yet realizing that this is where we are is the first step to going further.

But how can we chase after something that we haven’t yet discovered? What is our destiny? What is MY purpose?

When I was a child, I caught a small black ant. I remember to this day what my expectations were and what happened in the course of only a few hours. I thought that the ant would eat, drink, sleep and explore the large “cage” I had bought for it. I placed it in the cage and watched…the ant searched the rim of the exhibit looking for a way out, it ignored the food and water. It searched more and more frantically and by the time the sun set, it simply laid down and died.

I was astonished and sad. I realized then and there that an ant can’t live alone, it’s purpose was to serve the queen. I had taken away its purpose and without a purpose… there was nothing left to do but die. WE slowly die without vision and purpose!

It is so vital that we discover our purpose here, not just for ourselves, but for the lost who are starving for vision and direction in their lives. They can only grow to the point we have grown. In other words, we are the ones who show them what is possible. We live by example and we demonstrate the Will of God, the Mind of God, and the Heart of God.

I wish I could say how to find your purpose, but unfortunately, that is something only you can discover for yourself. I am still discovering or more accurately, uncovering, who I am and what I am called to do. Here are some questions you can ask yourself though that will help clarify your search.

Your DESIGN reveals your DESTINY:

1. What are your talents/abilities?
2. What are your spiritual giftings?
3. What are your desires?
4. What has brought you success?
5. What do others see in you?
6. What are the opportunities in front of you?

Don’t know where to start? Just ask your pastor where you are needed most and go do it. Take out the trash, serve in children’s ministry, be a greeter. The whole point is to take a step forward, do this and doors may just open that wouldn’t have if you waited for destiny to just fall in your lap.

Don’t compare. We all have important roles and callings. No one’s call is more important than another, and comparison really is the thief of joy. You really want to bring glory to God? You can’t do that trying to copy Sarah or Mike or whoever…you can only do that by being YOU. No one else can be you…and God created you specifically for a purpose.

Do you know that your purpose existed before you were born? A problem exists before a solution is created. We are that solution. God looked around and saw that this universe was missing something…you.

Jesus was purpose driven, even by the age of 12! He knew that he had come into the world to fix a problem, and his final words as he hung on the cross were, “it is finished.” His mission was complete, his purpose for coming into the world was fulfilled. The problem was solved.

Ultimately, we are all called to make a difference in others. People are God’s agenda. You can’t love God and hate people, that just isn’t possible. We are God’s heart, and He loved us so much that He sacrificed His Son! Not just for you, but for your neighbor who has a drinking problem, for that childhood bully that pushed you, for the coworker that likes to start trouble, for the person who sits beside you at church judging, every saint and sinner alike. He died for them all. 

Nothing ventured nothing gained...just start by stepping into the opportunities around you, noticing the needs that you can take responsibility for. Live every day as though you are on the mission field. Work is a mission field, the store is a mission field. Anywhere there are people there are opportunities to minister!

God will work through you where you are at, in fact, He placed you exactly where you are for a reason. And generally, that goes hand in hand with the people He placed with you or those who you come in contact with daily. This verse from Esther paints it very clearly:

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows, but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (4:14)

You were placed strategically. In this country, state, city, and neighborhood…for such a time as this. 

And so what will you do? How far are you willing to go? You may have plans for your life that are contrary to your call, you may fail time and again, you may go through Joseph-like moments that make you wonder if anything will change. We are all broken vessels, and you know what? Jesus is the ultimate redeemer. Read the story of Joseph and you will see that God can use our trials and our failures to bring about His glory.

All of this…I learned this weekend at our church, we had a speaker come and stir our hearts to action in Marion, Ohio. A lot more was said and I took many notes, we worshipped and prayed, and I believe that we all took a step farther on our journey toward fulfilling our purpose. I asked God what it was that He wanted from me specifically and I want to share that response in close.

He said…I want you to be willing.

We just have to be willing, we have to trust God. And take a step, a leap of faith, a risk…and watch God move. Amen?

 

 

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