When we talk about purpose, we are talking about our reason for being and for doing. Life is meaningless without knowing and living out our purpose. Some people will commit suicide because they feel that their life has no purpose, and without purpose there is no hope. God created man in His image and gave him a purpose that included spiritual fellowship and productive service. A purpose isn't simply an ideal; it's something that we have strong convictions about: we believe in it and it informs our actions.Purpose generates excitement - an excitement that enables us to leap over every obstacle. It helps us to develop tenacity. I become excited when I know what God wants me to accomplish, when I know why I'm here and when I understand the possibilities of my future. I develop endurance, that can't quit attitude that allows me to rise above challenges. Don't get me wrong - purpose doesn't minimize or even eliminate challenges. It just helps me to have the drive to succeed in spite of them.
A true purpose is God given: it requires sensitivity and listening to God's voice. To know our purpose and to maximize that purpose, we need to develop an intimate relationship with the Lord through the Holy Spirit. Developing that relationship involves prayer and studying and meditating on the Word of God. The faith chapter in Hebrews 11 tells us about numerous people who realized their purpose because of their faith in God. Noah, through his faith, realized his purpose of saving his family and humanity from extinction. Abraham realized his purpose of being a blessing to the nations and becoming a father of faith for billions of people. Moses realized his purpose of being a deliverer for the Israelites rescuing them from their Egyptian captivity. Every truly spiritual/mature believer has a sense of purpose. All believers have purpose but not all believers know their purpose because they have not developed that sensitivity to God's voice.
Purpose motivates us and we motivate and mobilize others. When we understand and embrace our purpose, we become excited and there is a willingness to get up and go. We know what we are about. Purpose as the 'why' helps us to figure out the 'what' and the 'how.' Having motivation then leads to motivating and mobilizing others. This is particularly true of leaders. Strong leaders know their purpose: they know what they have to do, where they have to go and who they have to recruit. Leaders know that they can't accomplish their purpose alone. They need to bring people along with them. Some of those persons will come to recognize their purpose and may eventually branch out. A person who lacks motivation is a person who lacks purpose.
Purpose motivates diligence. When we are strongly committed to our purpose, we will be motivated to work hard. We understand that hard work is needed in order to be successful. Someone has quipped that the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. When we are driven by our purpose, we will make needed sacrifices. At times, we will put in long hours because that is what is required to fulfill our purpose. However, working hard does not mean that we have to compromise on those things that are important such as our relationship with God and our relationship to our family. The difference between a dreamer and a visionary is effort. A dreamer can conceptualize but doesn't invest the effort to actualize. The visionary sees the possibilities and actively takes the steps to ensure that they are turned into realities.
Purpose causes leaders to prioritize. Leaders can't accomplish everything; similarly, they cannot meet all expectations. Leaders must focus on those activities that actualize their purpose. Activities can be divided into urgent but not important, important but not urgent, neither urgent nor important, both urgent and important. Leaders must determine which category an activity falls into. This means that some things must be left undone. Leaders must recognize that not all positions and jobs help them to realize their purpose. Some things require leaders' attention but are minor; these should not be time consuming. Leaders must invest time in the major activities; some things can be delegated - e.g. the apostles left the waiting on tables to the deacons. Leaders who try to do everything not only fail to realize their purpose but are also candidates for burnout. Jesus is a great example of maintaining one's priorities. He came to do the will of His Father and He did not deviate from that purpose.
Purpose keeps us grounded in the present as opposed to the past while preparing for the future. It keeps us focused on what needs to happen now. It keeps us grounded in reality rather than dreaming about the future. Purpose helps us to overcome the monotony of life: life is not a string of exhilarating activities. In today's culture of instant gratification, people are looking for excitement, so they abandon things that are no longer thrilling. Persons who have purpose will stick to their task until the goal is realized. Purpose reminds us that we're going somewhere - activities add up. The journey may be long, but we know we are making progress with every step we take.
Know your purpose, maximize your potential. Giftedness alone is not sufficient; without purpose even a gifted person will fail to realize his potential. When we have purpose we will look for opportunities to actualize that purpose. Purpose challenges us to overcome our deficiencies and fears. Purpose causes us to improve through studying and practice. Purpose leads to creativity; it helps us to find the resources that are needed. Is your purpose being realized? Are you accomplishing what you set out to do?
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