One of the greatest feeling as a parent is when your kids discover what they are made for, and find their joy in a particular pursuit in life. They have found the thing that makes them feel alive. That’s because there is a fullness of life and joy to be found in finding our purpose and direction.
Everyone is created by God with purpose. We are all unique and our birth was no accident. However at some stage in life most of us ask the question, “Why am I here?” But perhaps we should instead ask, “What am I made to do?” “What has God created me to do and be?” How can I bless and make the lives of those around me better? What is my calling?”
I believe when we ask Jesus to be part of our life, He starts to reveal to us who we are, and our purpose for life. He helps us to be focused and spurs us on to make the most of every opportunity in life, even if that means pushing us out of our comfort zone on occasion. He is our compass, and guidebook and if we listen He will direct our steps, our vision, and our future.
When it comes to living that purpose out I have found it helpful to have one word which encompasses my power (gifts and talents) and my purpose or calling specifically for the year. In a sense it’s giving me a focus each year of how I can live out my God given “power, purpose and passion”.
If we wait and ask, God will cause that word and subsequently direction to spring up in our hearts and minds. He wants us to grow and develop us into all we were created to be. He longs to share, and reveal mysteries to us. It’s just most of the time people don’t stop long enough to take a breath to check they are on course and focused on the things God has for them in life, let alone the year. It’s far too easy with all the demands and busyness to get off message and lose track of our purpose in life.
Having one word for the year creates a point of focus and contact, where we filter all our activity and energy through our “one word”. My word this year is “expansion”, so when I’m assessing my week and schedule I ask myself “Is this helping to expand and enlarge my capacity, am I growing and experiencing God more, is what I am doing the best use of my time, focus and energy”?
God even encourages us to write down our vision, in this case our one word, so we might run with it and remain focused.
“Then the LORD answered me and said, “Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run.” (Habakkuk 2:2)
Living with a purpose is about investing our life in the things that matter most, so that we can live with a sense of direction and meaning. Our purpose should inspire, ignite, challenge, and give us each a sense of meaning.
Today take some time to ask yourself, “what does the world need, and how can I help fill that need?” We can all make a positive difference, and God promises He has, and will give us everything we need to fulfil that need. There is in fact a lot at risk to both us living a meaningful life, and also to those things that will be left undone if we don’t step up and fulfil that for which we were made. We all matter, and have our part to play.
I’ve learnt that the more I know God, the more I discover who I truly am. I encourage you to draw close to Jesus today, and in the process discover your purpose, and what you were made for.
God says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)
“For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.” (Psalm 139:14-16)
Prayer: Lord thank you that I have a purpose and reason for being here. Help me to draw closer to you today, and in the process discover who and what I am made to do and be. In Jesus name Amen.