Better Living Reveals Your Purpose
Scripture Reading
Ephesians 2:10 (NRSVUE)
“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.”
Introductory Remarks:
There are some questions almost every human being asks at some point:
- Who am I?
- Why am I here?
- What am I supposed to be doing with my life?
- What is my purpose?
Sometimes the question comes when we are young and trying to decide what career to pursue.
Sometimes it comes in the middle of life when we have accomplished some of the things we thought would make us happy, but something still feels missing.
Sometimes it comes after a loss, a disappointment, a relationship ends, a job ends, the children grow up, retirement comes, or life simply changes. And suddenly the question becomes louder:
Why am I here?
Major Points of the Lesson:
- EVERY SITUATION AND ENCOUNTER CAN DIRECT YOU TOWARD YOUR PURPOSE
- PAY ATTENTION:
- TO WHAT EXCITES YOU , AND WHAT ANGERS YOU
- TO WHAT COMES NATURALLY TO YOU
- TO WHAT KEEPS CALLING YOU
- PURPOSE REQUIRES OBEDIENCE
Quote:
“But I say to you that when you work [on purpose] you fulfil a part of earth's furthest dream, assigned to you when that dream was born” Khalil Gibran, The Prophet
ASSIGNMENT:
CONDUCT A PURPOSE AUDIT
In addition to the prayer “God, reveal my purpose.”
Take out a notebook and examine your life.
Answer the following questions:
- EXPERIENCES: What have I experienced that has uniquely prepared me to help somebody else?
- EXCITEMENT: What makes me feel alive, energised, and deeply fulfilled?
- HOLY DISCONTENT: What problem, injustice, or condition disturbs me enough that I want to change it?
- NATURAL GIFTS: What comes naturally to me that creates value for others?
- RECURRING CALL: What do people repeatedly call upon me to do?
- THE THING I KEEP AVOIDING: What have I secretly known I should do but keep postponing?
- SERVICE: Who benefits when I am operating at my best?
Now look at the answers. Look for the pattern.
Because purpose is often found where these things intersect:
My gifts, my experiences, my passion, the world’s need, my opportunity to serve, and God’s call upon my life.