Purpose:
- The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
- A person’s sense of resolve or determination.
- Have as one’s intention or objective.
“God has allowed suffering, even purposed it”
Purpose and Christian are words that have become somewhat synonymous in our Christian society today. We are always talking about purpose: finding purpose; and how important it is, because knowing what God has created you to do means that you are walking in His will.
I mean knowing your purpose is A BIG DEAL right ??!!! How do I figure out my purpose is what some of you may be asking at this very moment while reading this. Why? Because you desire to fulfill your destiny and destiny is calling. You want to know how? Prayer, fasting and the word as a friend of mine would say.
But to be honest I am not writing today to talk about, how to find your purpose and why it’s important. For a long time now I have been singing a slightly different song with regards to purpose and I have just never talked about it. I would like to apologize to those of us who are currently having anxiety attacks, because we don’t know our purpose and we don’t know where we fit in. Many of us probably feel like we are twiddling our thumbs, because we can’t figure out what we are called to do. And no matter how much we ask God, He seems to want to keep that information under lock and key.
May I submit to you that what we need to do is learn to WALK. Sometimes we make purpose and destiny seem like a destination- a one stop achievement- a trophy for a long hard journey- a finish line. However I have learned that it’s not so. Purpose is the road we trod, not the destination. As we walk with God we are walking in purpose. When we go about our day to day lives ( wherever we go), and demonstrate the love of God, and share the gospel (Mark 16:15-16)- we are living out purpose. When we stand on His word-we are living out purpose (Josh 1:8). We were created to worship Him- and when we worship Him through our lives we are living out purpose (Isa. 43:7). These are the things we are called to do.
Purpose isn’t all about figuring out the tools that you were called to use- preaching, teaching etc. Purpose surrounds obedience (Deut.11:1). When we are obedient we are purposeful- because through obedience we demonstrate our intent to do what God says. Man following God’s instructions in Gen. 1: 26-28, 2:15, was a demonstration of worshipping God through obedient living. If we follow God, the word of God (His instructions), then we will have no choice but to fulfill what He requires of us in the earth- It Will Happen! So many times we get so caught up in saying “Lord what is my purpose/ calling?” And we forget that what we are called to do is written in the word as I mentioned above. Purpose isn’t wrapped up in a specific gift.
Don’t get so caught up in that one thing- Don’t confine yourself to a box. Because if your only tool is a hammer, then every problem looks like a nail. Give yourself room and space for God to use you as He desires, whenever He desires. If you limit yourself and what you believe God can use you to do, then you are also limiting God, because you have confined God and you, to only one or maybe two ways in which you believe He can now use you.
Let your purpose be to glorify God in all that you do: In your school work, on the job (whichever job), at home, on the mall- in whatever area (Col. 3:17). When this becomes your mantra, the anxiety or lack of direction that you may feel right now will cease to exist, because where ever you go it will simply be about God being glorified. I know it all sounds so simple right? but what if I told you that it is. The tool God requires you to use, is not something that you have to go searching for, it is already placed in you. If you have the ability or the desire to do it, then do it in the name of Jesus. I have the ability to write, and so I am using it to glorify God.
What I have done though is put time and effort into developing what He has placed in me, to ensure that I put my best foot forward. It is in fasting, prayer and studying the word ( spending time with God) that our tools are sharpened, and we are groomed by God to be His disciples (John 15: 1-16). If many of us are being honest, we will admit that we already have knowledge of the gifts and talents God has placed in us. But our restraint is our lack of confidence, and belief that God would not put such great responsibility on our shoulders. I was challenged in the Young Leader’s Conference 2017, to respect the gifts that God has given me, and in doing so it means that I acknowledge and utilize them to the best of my ability- and so I challenge you today to do the same. On your walk with God, if you make it your aim to live out the principles of the word, then let me put your mind to ease- YOU ARE ALREADY WALKING IN PURPOSE!!
Thus far on my walk with God, He has placed it on my heart to start a blog. Who knows, maybe tomorrow He will have me walk over to a graphic artist and have a book cover designed. My purpose (resolve, determination, motive) for doing this will be to glorify God with a tool that He has given me to use.
How has the walk with God been for you so far?
Thank you for allowing me to share.
Ashley #followerofJesusChrist
