by Sis Judith
It may sound like a cliché to say that everyone was created by God for a purpose, but it is the truth. You have a unique purpose for being on earth and when you don’t manifest it, you deny the world a chance to enjoy the benefits of the God-customised you (please see Romans 8:19). We must all discover our purpose. However, how do we live our purpose once we discover it? There are so many answers to this question, but I would like to share four tips from Scriptures and personal reflections:
1. God must be at the centre
This is where it all starts. God enables us to know why we are doing what in the first place. He provides meaning to life and makes living worthwhile. Without God at the centre, one’s purpose will be channelled to selfish and non-God glorifying activities, often with devastating consequences. As people we may think that “I got this”, but it is very easy to be swayed when God is dethroned from the centre of one’s life. God literally sustains a purpose-driven life because He is the true Vine and without Him we can do nothing (please see John 15:1-5).
2. Be directed by God, but also have a plan
Even when you know what God has called you to do, you still need to have a plan. Yes, we must pray and ask for God’s leading, but there’s a role that we must play too. We must think. We must strategise. We must act. In Old Testament times, valiant men of war such as Joshua, Gideon and David still planned and came up with tactical strategies to win the battle, even when God already promised victory. I once listened to a message by Dr. Myles Munroe (a well-known expert/authority on the topic of purpose) where he gave a really great analogy on God’s plan vs. our roles. He mentioned that parents send their children to the university with the fore-knowledge and plan that they would get a degree at the end, but whether or not this materialises depends on their children’s hard work. Similarly, God’s purpose for our lives may be evident, but it’s up to us to plan and take necessary steps towards accomplishment. Do you have well-thought out plans for executing your purpose?
3. Living your purpose is not always a straightforward process
The Bible is filled with stories of incredibly great people who fulfilled their purposes, but went through very convoluted and challenging routes in getting there: Joseph, Ruth, Esther, David and many others. Even our Lord Jesus Christ faced difficulties enroute the cross to give us salvation. Herod tried to kill Him in infancy. He was doubted and called names. Religious people did not accept Him. His identity was diminished to that of the carpenter’s son. He was betrayed. Living one’s purpose may come with challenges, but this should not discourage us or make us second-guess whether we’re actually on the right path. I once saw a cartoon with two pictures depicting “Your plan” vs. “God’s plan.” A man on a bicycle was about to embark on a journey from start to finish in these two pictures. “Your plan” just had a straight line from start to finish whereas “God’s plan” had some steeps, valleys, bridges to cross and rainy clouds along the journey. Of course, God is not the inventor of trials and temptations but His children face these sometimes while living out their purpose because they live in a fallen world. However, God is able to use these to increase our trust in Him, refine/strengthen our character, build resilience in us and give us valuable experiences/lessons that will come in handy in the future.
4. Character counts
Good character is vital in living out and sustaining one’s purpose. The Bible has numerous examples of individuals whose purposes were truncated or their legacies tarnished because of character issues (for instance, Samson, Saul and Solomon). You’ve probably heard this saying relating to the professional context that “hard skills get you in there, but soft skills keep you in there.” In other words, hard skills (technical know-how and core competencies) may get someone a job but it is the soft skills (personal and character-type qualities such as good work ethic, integrity and team work) that will keep someone in the job. Many employers are increasingly looking beyond hard skills and considering soft skills as well during hiring processes. Good character must characterise a purpose-driven life for longevity and maximum impact.
As we live out God’s purposes for our lives, may we keep Him at the centre, develop/maintain good character, trust Him with the non-straightforward paths and do our own parts as He fulfils His own roles (Amen).
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