“The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” Proverbs 20:5
Are you clear about your life’s purpose? God did not meticulously design you to live a haphazard life full of frustration and confusion. He created you with a unique purpose to pursue. Without purpose, you will never experience the level of fulfillment that is possible for your life.
What is purpose?
- It is your unique life assignment designed by God.
- It provides the direction for your daily living.
- It provides the foundation for your values, vision and goals.
- It gives meaning to everything you do in your personal, family, social and professional life.
- It is bigger than your job, career or what you do.
- It is a calling.
- It is a mission.
- It is an overall theme for your life that transcends your daily activities.
Your life purpose is completely unique to you.
No one else in the world can fulfill your purpose, but you. Whether it concerns an area that is being explored by many or by only a few, what matters is that no one can approach it the way you can.
If you have not experienced the level of success that you know you are capable of or if you have felt as if something is missing from your life, take note of this very important principle: You will only experience true success in your life to the extent that you are clear about your life’s purpose.
You were created with the desire to pursue your purpose. Without it, you are either paralyzed by stagnation, crippled by fear, bored by the daily routine or frustrated by failure. Our inherent need for purpose gives rise to questions such as “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” or “What is the point to life?”
As God begins to reveal the answers to these questions, you will learn that your purpose will not just magically happen. You will have to pursue it with a tireless, dedicated work ethic. You are responsible for the intentional fulfillment of your purpose so the world may benefit from your contributions.
When you realize your life’s purpose, everything changes. Your desires, the way you approach life, the people you associate with, the material you read and the things you listen to will change to help bring your purpose into proper focus.
When your deepest needs are being met, you feel encouraged and empowered. This focus gives rise to greater clarity about who you are, what you stand for and where you are going. A sense of inspired action will naturally rise up inside of you when you are living passionately with clear direction and a purpose to live for.
You may ask, “How do I discover my life’s purpose?
1. Seek the Creator
First, you have to connect with the creator of the universe. You may have to slow down, change direction and seek after Him. He promises to always come to those who search for Him with all their heart.
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
2. Learn about Him
Second, you need to learn about Him. You have to gain an understanding of how He thinks. God has a much higher way of thinking than you and I will ever have and He wants to teach you to think the way He thinks. Failure, lack, worry, fear and defeat are not part of His vocabulary and He does not want it to be part of yours! The best way to renew your mind to His way of thinking is to read and meditate on His Word, pray daily and listen to empowering messages about Him!
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:1
3. Spend quality time with the Master
Thirdly, you must spend quality time with the Master daily. Just like in any relationship, you have to invest time and effort to get to know God intimately to hear and know His directions. It is only then that God will reveal His plans to you.
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3
4. Obey His directions
The fourth step is to follow what He reveals to you. You can gain all the knowledge in the world about your purpose, but it will never have the impact that God designed until you activate it. Don’t sit on your purpose waiting for God to move, He has done all He is going to do. It is up to you to obey what He says. What He reveals may go against your conventional thinking, your current situation or what others think, but please know that obeying His directions will ultimately lead you on the path to living your purpose.
“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22
Listen carefully! Your response to God’s purpose for your life is the single most transforming event in your life and all else flows from it. This will be the most important exploration you will ever make and the rewards are great – more joy, fulfillment, success and meaning in your life.
Question: How can realizing your purpose effect the people around you? Leave a comment below.
Dan Black says
I really enjoy this topic. God has reveled to me my purpose in life, but not exactly how to accoplish it or how it will look. I think once we find our life purpose it fills us with passion and energy. Great post!
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks, Dan. When He revealed to me my purpose I did not exactly how to accomplish it. I still don’t. I am learning to totally trust Him and He is showing me daily.
Dan Black says
I think its a daily process in knowing and accomplishing our calling. God only gives us a little at a time.