Your God-Given Purpose
No one is on earth by accident. God designed us to be here and to be here with a purpose. He didn't make us and wind us like a clock to live on our own without a purpose. God created within us core values, habits, likes, dislikes, attitudes, personalities, and other qualities based on the purpose embedded within us.
Purpose: Definition
Everything we do is related to the purpose for which we were created. People who know their purpose live according to it. They take courses in school that relate to that purpose. They have jobs in the area of their purpose. Furthermore, they gravitate to other things that help them achieve their purpose.
Assignments Are Not Our Purpose
Our God-given purpose is related to our assignments, but our assignments are not our purpose. Let me explain.
We use our gifts and talents to serve God through our specific assignments. However, those assignments are only subtopics under the big heading of God-given purpose. Our assignments change occasionally, but our purpose remains the same and is everlasting.
In Genesis 37 through 50, Joseph had many assignments. His assignment as a slave in Potiphar's house led him to an assignment in prison that ultimately led him to be second in command of all Egypt. His assignments changed, but his overall purpose was to glorify God in all his actions.
We also see that concept in other biblical characters, such as David, Paul, and even Jesus. Their smaller assignments led them to fulfill the purpose for which they were born. That is the same way God works in every life. However, we must know that the assignments we gravitate to are for a greater purpose.
God gave us a purpose and equipped us with gifts and talents to do things to glorify Him.
Discovering Your God-Given Purpose
Here is a list of things that will help you discover your God-given purpose:
Pay attention to what brings you joy.
Listen to what people compliment you about.
Notice what you do effortlessly.
Use your talents and gifts.
Recognize your interests.
Keep doing things in which you excel.
Capitalize on what brings you joy.
Consider what God wants you to do and do it without murmuring and complaining.
When You Live According to God-Given Purpose
When you live according to your God-given purpose, you will do the following things: means:
Scroll to Continue
embrace God's will
seek God's guidance
use your unique gifts to serve God
use your unique gifts to serve others
Your God-given purpose can be used in four areas.
Living according to your God-given purpose involves doing so in four areas:
Passion: doing what you love and enjoy doing
Mission: completing assignments God gives you
Profession: doing your job for which you get paid
Vocation: using your career to change the world
When You Don't Live According to Your God-Given Purpose
Several things happen when you don't live according to your God-given purpose:
You feel like a fish out of water.
You have prolonged dissatisfaction.
You sense that something is missing.
You are not pleasing God because you don't use the gifts He has given you.
You neglect the people you should be serving.
Signs You Are Not Living God’s Purpose for Your Life
Some obvious signs show when you are not living according to your God-given purpose.
You feel that something is missing from your life.
You complain about your work.
You are never at peace.
You do not know what to do.
You feel that you do not belong.
You don't enjoy what you do.
You resent people for living according to their God-given purpose.
Living Your God-Given Purpose Matters
Because of your God-given purpose, you will enjoy certain things that others don't. On the other hand, you will not enjoy things others enjoy because you are not like them. You might wonder if you are different. The answer is, "Yes, you are different." Although God created all people, we are not all alike. We are not robots.
After you discover your God-given purpose, make sure you rely on Proverbs 3:5-6:
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
|
|
