You Have Purpose
You stare at the reflection in the mirror and wonder why on this Earth you have the capacity to create a fog cloud which temporarily blurs your image. Blinking, your eyes are filled with doubt, fear and wonder over the next season of your life.
If you are honest, the maze of questions without answers you had roll through your brain before breakfast was even finished created a quagmire, which has you thoroughly convinced you will never escape to fulfill anything of value or meaning.
So many of us stir from our beds, morning after morning, with little to no gusto about what drives us. The questions for all the ages seems to plague each generation-”Why am I here? What is my purpose?”
Today, I would like to bust some of the most widely accepted paradigms regarding the answer to those questions and offer a new response, one that I have come to learn over the years. I did not have to travel to the highest mountain top and sit in solitude with a group of monks, nor take a boat to the deepest part of darkest Peru in search of a shaman to find it.
No, I actually discovered the solution sitting in my cozy recliner, complete with an extra fluffy blanket and my favorite pair of pjs. It truly is that simple. Before we dive into the ancient wisdom I unearthed; however, let’s look at a few common, widely held understandings that seem to be acceptable forms of answers to our inquiries.
You are meant to grind your days away, hit that next goal and make a name for yourself.
I exist to further my dreams and passions, doing whatever it takes to make things happen in my favor.
Life is short. Do things that make you happy, excite your imagination and invigorate you.
None of these are inherently bad, unless you are taking them to an extreme, unhealthy level and this is all you live and breathe for, but they are still only surface. Merely temporary gains and aspirations, solely focused on the here and now. Life is short- so what about the “more”? The deeper layers of the reason for our existence on this planet, at this very moment in all of history.
Have you ever contemplated that thought? How, out of all the generations in the rear view mirror of life, you were born into this one. The continent you are currently walking around in, was inscribed with your name, waiting for your particular giftings, experiences, and knowledge. What if I challenge your intellect today and hopefully start a few new brain synapses forming within your head, which then causes you to awake with a new sense of purpose?
What if…
It all goes much deeper than we can even image?
The Creator of the universe, has equipped every person with certain talents and abilities. Some are more obvious than others. Not everyone can sing like Whitney Houston, act like Jack Nicholson, play basketball like Michael Jordan or compose a symphony like Beethoven. But I feel it’s the small, less “on display” gifts that make the everyday world a more thriving, vibrant place.
Those who have wisdom for problem solving within their companies. The single mother with a fierce determination to care for her children and works tirelessly to provide. The bank teller who has incredible integrity within their work place. The janitor, with exceptional attention to detail, who makes sure every job is completed with excellence.
Never thought of wisdom, determination, integrity or detail oriented as a talent? I believe the list goes on.
Hospitable
Kind
Considerate
Practical
Analytical
Patient
Too often these talents, and many more not listed, are overlooked and not thought of as highly as other abilities, but I am here to shed light upon what some would like to place in the shadows. This list, many would consider, are attributes of one’s character, but I disagree. I believe we have miscategorized many giftings as simple personality traits.
Hospitality, for instance, is an art which, when crafted well, has the ability to warm the cockles of the chillest heart. Or have you ever met someone who just seemed to have a smile tattooed on their face, regardless of what was burning down around them, as kindness oozed out from their every action? When performance of these abilities seem completely effortless, that is more than simply personality. It is a gift.
I am not speaking about believers here, friends. I have met many people who do not acknowledge the name of Christ Jesus, but yet have an extremely high level of integrity, can plan anything down to the most minuscule detail or have patience as the day is long.
Created with them. Born that way. A beautiful gift from our Lord.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Our gifts can be used one of two ways.
We can glorify ourselves and advance our kingdom or glorify the Father and advance His.
This distinction is something I really want you to grab ahold of, chew on and wrestle with. One direction will result in shallow, short-sighted gains, while the other will have profound influence for eternity. Since “forever” surpasses “temporary” in any race, let’s focus on that path for the remainder of our time together.
We read in the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul is encouraging the local body to be aware of their different talents and to use them for the furthering of the gospel. He also warns about those who were envious of other’s gifts and coveting.
(Let me pause here and remind the Bride- we should never be jealous of our fellow brothers’ and sisters’ abilities. Guys, we are playing on the same team, all moving toward the same goal (at least that is the ultimate plan from the Playbook). We are to be each other’s biggest cheerleaders, not pout because you feel like you were robbed of “greater things”. Reminder (and this maybe a news flash for some)- NONE of this is about you! Everything we do, should point others to Christ, so how can you be upset when someone’s ministry starts to see fruit and grow? We should be praising God for the harvest!)
Ok, as I was saying- once we identify our gifts, the scripture is clear we should be using them. 1 Peter reminds us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
When you surrender your life to Jesus and you decide to faithfully serve Him for the rest of your days, suddenly your abilities transform and ascend to a whole new level. Not because they grow sharper, better or stronger (although they can), but because you gain a deeper level of purpose.
Let’s play this out in an example:
Tom is gifted with wisdom. He just landed a promotion with the new up and coming company in his city. Six months into his position, they discover a bottle neck in their shipping process that is costing the company thousands of dollars and declining customer satisfaction. Tom begins running data, analyzing shipping vendors and discovers a solution to their issue. The company’s profit margin increases and the word of mouth of the excellent customer service and faster shipping brings new clients in the door.
During this same six month period, Steve has gotten close to Tom, and they begin to grow as friends. One day, Steve confides in Tom, he is struggling with guilt from a past extramarital affair and does not know how to move forward. Tom, who is a Christ follower, begins to give wise counsel to help his friend. He also shares the gospel with Steve, telling him of the power of the cross and the forgiveness through the blood of the Lamb. He invites Steve and his wife to church. They begin attending and after several months, both Steve and his wife give their lives to the Lord.
In this scenario, Tom has accomplished two things with his gift of wisdom. He has made his company more profitable and he has furthered the Kingdom, by speaking into the life of a hurting coworker and sharing hope through Christ.
Both are wonderful accomplishments, but only one is eternal.
Companies rise and fall, come and go. Some without most people even knowing their names.
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.” (Psalm 145:13)
Let’s start thinking “big picture”
You are at your work place for a reason. Do not be so flippant about your occupation. What if God placed you there to bring the light of Christ to a fellow coworker like our friend Tom? Have you looked at your position through that lens?
The neighborhood where you live, who needs to know about the love of Jesus? Don't be fooled by the picket fences and manicured lawns. There are lost souls behind the window shades, I can promise you.
In the local grocery store, a struggling cashier is having a difficult season. Your words of encouragement could be the very thing they need to give them hope to keep pressing forward. Never brush off any personal encounter as “ordinary”.
Is it all starting to come into focus? Are the colors staring to blend and meld just right to construct a beautiful mosaic for your viewing pleasure?
Now let’s ask those questions again, but see if we can answer them. -“Why am I here? What is my purpose?”
“I am here to help seek and save the lost. All throughout my day, I am on mission for Christ, keeping my eyes focused to see those who are wandering in the darkness and need the Light only Jesus can provide. I have been redeemed, so I can proclaim the goodness, love and mercy of God to all those that have been placed in my path. No relationship in my life is a coincidence or insignificant.
My deepest purpose is to push back the darkness and tell as many people as I can of the salvation that is found only through Jesus Christ the Messiah. I am focused and intentional with my time and talent, so I can be used in the greatest capacity possible to advance the Kingdom of God. The work that I do, for the glory and name of Christ, has impact that will last for all eternity.”
I don’t know about you, but when you begin to realize every aspect of your life is a mission opportunity, you will never be bored or wonder what you are supposed to be doing with the limited number of calendar days you have on this globe. There is much work to do, dear friends. Do not forget the words of our Savior to His disciples. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)
There are dead men and women walking around us every day- EVERY DAY! If that isn’t a purpose for living or explanation for why you are here, I’m not sure what is.