P.U.R.P.O.S.E.
Exactly one month ago, I was laying in bed, reflecting on this year. First, I thought about how hard it is to believe that 2019 is already halfway over. Second, I thought about how it feels like so much has happened in this very short amount of time. Third, I thought about the common thread of my life so far for this year.
Now, I’m not one of those people that comes up with one word to focus on for the year. I know plenty of people that do that, and I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with doing it, I’m just not one that typically does it. However, if I was one of those people, then my word for this year would be PURPOSE.
Technically, the PURPOSE theme started at the end of 2018, but just roll with me.
The year started off with a class that I was taking which made me take a closer look at what I felt my dreams and purposes are in life. Funny enough, while in that class, I received an email regarding a bible study that was going to be offered online. Know what the subject was? That’s right… purpose. The book was called LEAP INTO LOVE: Living Present To Your Purpose On The Planet. And it was so good! When I finished it, I decided to go through it again only this time I would ask a few friends to join me. Once God showed me who should be in it, I contacted them and set a date. I gained even more from this study the second time around!
Since then, I have watched unsuspecting messages, read different books, received several emails, and even read a few articles and blogs on the subject of purpose. I never sought them out or tried to find things dealing with purpose, they all just kind of fell in my lap!
Well, I can tell when God is trying to tell me something, and this time He was making sure it was too obvious for me to miss.
That night a month ago, when I was laying in bed reflecting on all of this stuff, I began to see the word “purpose” in a different light. I actually turned it into an acronym using things I feel like God is telling me I need in order to fulfill my purpose.
PASSION
One of the definitions of passion is “a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.” I believe that when we are honestly seeking God, He places desires in our heart for which He actually created us.
Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. (NLT)
URGENCY / UNIQUENESS
I had to choose two words here because I feel like as soon as God showed me a desire He placed on my heart, there was a sense of urgency that came with moving toward that desire and dream. But I also feel like it’s too important to emphasize how uniquely God created each of us, because it helps us not want to compare ourselves to others.
Romans 13:11 To live like this is all the more urgent, for time is running out and you know it is a strategic hour in human history. It is time for us to wake up! For our full salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. (TPT)
RESPONSE
I know this one may seem obvious, but I had the dream to write fiction for a really long time. I only recently began to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in regards to that dream. So many people go through life working to pay bills, and as necessary as I know that is, I believe it’s just as necessary to respond to the call God has placed on your life. If you never respond to His call, you never fulfill His purpose for you. And one day, we will all have to give an answer for the responses, or lack thereof, and decisions we made.
Romans 12:7 …if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;… . (NIV)
PERSISTENCE
I also had PURSUE for this one, but I believe it goes deeper than just pursuing. When we figure out our purpose, we have to pursue it, but we must do so with persistence because it’s not going to be easy. There will be challenges and we will have moments when we want to quit, but we can’t. Every time we get knocked down, we have to pick ourselves up and keep moving forward!
Luke 11:9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” (NLT)
OBEDIENCE
I’ve had to learn this lesson so many times. Obedience, in even the smallest of things, is the key to blessing. As long as we remain obedient to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, no matter how many challenges we have to go through to get them, we will always be rewarded with blessings and favor.
Psalm 128:1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. (NIV)
STRENGTH
I can’t pursue my purpose in life without God’s strength, so I don’t even want to try. The minute I try to do anything on my own is the minute I get too worn out and exhausted to even pray. I’ve had to learn this the hard way more than once.
Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (NLT)
ENDURANCE
Merriam-Webster says it’s “the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially : the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity.” And I 100% agree with that. But in my mind, I see it like this… STRENGTH (ability to withstand) + PERSISTENCE (ability to sustain a prolonged effort) = ENDURANCE.
Hebrews 10:36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (NLT)