Finding Your Purpose
It will be a shame for you and me to die having not discovered or fulfilled our life’s purpose.
Les Brown wrote, “The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.” FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real) is always the culprit. We are afraid of failure; afraid of what people may think of us; afraid to spend the money and afraid that maybe we may succeed. Fear, is something that has to be overcome if we will ever discover our life’s purpose and begin living and fulfilling our dreams.
Please don’t resign yourself to living life like a hamster running on a wheel in a cage, doing the same thing over and over again – feeling frustrated, drained and robbed wearing yourself out and going nowhere fast!
If you find yourself on the wheel, how do you break the “hamster lifestyle” and break free to discover your purpose for living? Or do you really have a purpose for living?
Here is the good news, “YES ALL of us have a purpose!” You and I were not accidents that hatched from under a rock. God had you and me on His mind when he made us and devised a plan for our lives, “For I know the thoughts I have for you says the Lord, thoughts of good and not of evil to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. So relax the plan for your life is GOOD and your future is bright! But how do you discover your God-given purpose? By praying and seeking God for the answers to these questions:
What are you passionate about?
What causes your emotions to go haywire? For instance do you get angry when people lie? Perhaps you love exposing truth and teaching others? These are the signs to look for that can point you towards your purpose.
2. What bothers you and makes you uncomfortable?
We are often told to, “Stay positive!” “Smile!” “Never let them see your sweat!”, “Grin and bear it!” but sometimes the very things that bother us or causes us to be very uncomfortable are the very things and situations that God uses to let you and I know that we are a fish out of water - out of His will.
Are you in a job that you dread going to everyday? Maybe God is telling you something? Of course, spiritual warfare makes you uncomfortable too! You may be uncomfortable because the devil wants you to be. Pray and seek God for peace and ask Him to guide you towards your purpose being willing to let go and walk away when the time is right when He tells you to.
3. What can you do that no one else can?
What are you good at? Can you fix things? Decorate well? Sing? Good at math? Are you great at motivating people? When you speak do others listen? These are clues that can lead you to your God-given purpose.
4. What do others say about you?
When someone notices or comments on one of your gifts or talents, take note. God may be trying to tell you something through His people
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The most important thing I discovered about my purpose is that it is not just about me, it’s about what God wants to do through me. So finding and fulfilling my purpose is finding and fulfilling God’s will. Pray and ask God to show you the things that incite you and make a list. Be encouraged! Remember, God wants you to discover His purpose for your life more than you do.
Rev. Thea
