Imagine driving somewhere without knowing your directions, or worse yet, your destination! Or imagine arriving at your destination not knowing why you are there. The results are confusion, wasted time, and wasted resources. Sadly, this plight accurately describes “directionally challenged” individuals today who become busy with the details of life but either forget or fail to determine the God-given purpose for their journey.

Are you part of this directionally-challenged majority? Many times, we mistakenly equate purpose in life with the right job or vocation. Paul had the vocation of a tent-maker, Jesus was a carpenter, and Matthew was a tax collector. However, these jobs did not represent their life purposes. What does it mean to have a life purpose, anyway?

Use these following questions to discover a little bit about the passions God has planted in your heart, who He has created you to be, and what He is calling you to do.

  • What past activity came closest to everything I desire to do in the future?
  • If every job paid a dollar, what future pursuit is the most appealing?
  • I would be devastated if I were unable to participate in what activity? Why?
  • What is hindering the work of the Kingdom in the hearts and lives of the people I care for most?

  • What skills, gifts, and talents has God given me that I would delight in using to serve a group of people that I care for greatly

 

The Pursuit of Faith-Based Purpose

There is only one Scriptural way to discover and accomplish God’s purpose for your life—by faith. It is through faith that you understand God’s purpose for the world, and it is through faith that you will understand what He wants you to accomplish. Every great man or woman of God who accomplishes significant things for the kingdom of God is a person of faith. This is the recurring theme of Scripture and is summarized in Hebrews 11. By faith Noah prepared an ark. By faith Moses freed God’s people. By faith Joshua conquered the land. Without faith it is impossible to please God. (See Heb. 11:6)

Faith is the Sprit-led ability to comprehend and accomplish God’s will. Life purpose is your personal invitation to join God in faith as He works in and through you to bring Himself glory, minister to the needs of others, and grant eternal joy to you as a believer.

 

The Focus of Eternity

Do you know who God wants you to be and what He wants you to do? Seek to discover a plan that “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (I Cor 2:9).

  • Who is the primary group of people God has called me to serve and what are their needs?
  • What eternally significant, life-changing message has God entrusted to me to communicate with others?
  • How and by what means will I earn the right to be heard and then best deliver this message to those I serve?

 

God has instilled deep in your heart the desire to be used by Him for something great. Additionally, He has given you a life-changing message He wants you to share with an audience whom you care about deeply.

Take a moment to evaluate who you are and what you do. Using the questions above, consider the motivation for your day, your week, and the next five years. Life is short. Make it count for eternity—and live it on purpose!

Originally printed in the Acceleration Newsletter by Unbound © 2008