PURPOSE
Purpose is...
the reason why something is done
being determined to do or achieve something
the aim or goal of a person
by intent
ReDEFINE Purpose...
If you were to google the word PURPOSE you would probably find various websites that lead you to an assortment of activities that advise you how to find, create and live your purpose. I won’t do that. I want to illustrate your purpose not by examining what you dream of, imagine or reach for but by looking at what you actually accomplish on a daily basis. This definition of purpose is not about identifying behavior that will get you closer to your purpose but instead looking honestly at the behavior that draws you further from it. I believe that embedded in the myriad of daily activities, thoughts and experiences are clues that lead to genuine purpose. Our dream of what we want to be should be carefully compared to what we do in real time, right now. With this information we are able to do two significant things:
#1 Narrow down your purpose by looking at what you are today. This is probably not what most people want to do and probably the reason why after reading, watching and studying the purpose phenomenon many of us are no closer to actually living it. Most people when posed with the question to seek their true purpose open their minds and dream big. Dreaming big is not bad; it’s actually good and can expand our thinking. However, when your dreams get caught in the whirlwind of vast possibilities this can be problematic, particularly when this “dreaming” takes you away from who you are. Your purpose should draw you closer to your true self. I believe that there are glimpses of your purpose in your current reality and hopefully the attached activity will make that clear.
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”
#2 Accurately look at your daily behavior to determine if your daily “to do” list will get you closer to your fulfilled purpose. The objective is to compare what you speak, think & believe to what you are…these things need to be congruent to experience internal harmony. When you act in ways that are in opposition to your beliefs, words and purpose you will feel uncomfortable, broken, incomplete…like something is amiss. This step helps you to identify self-sabotaging actions so that you can correct them. Not with more plans and dreams but with tangible actions. This activity is designed to help you to identify the distractions; they deplete you and take you from your purpose.
The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers.
But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.
Sarah Ban Breathnach
God Factor:Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.. Lets break this scripture down...
We know - the certainty of the believer
All things - all destined events, even those full of pain…the good and perceived bad…persecution and suffering included.
Work together - contribute…are connected as pieces of a puzzle orchestrated by God
For good - works beneficially
Those who are called - those “who love God”… the word “call” generally refers to outward hearing; this includes the outward hearing to an inward acceptance.
According to His purpose – not by our desires or what we may or may not deserve but according to according to His good will and pleasure
God did not create us for failure. We may find the path the success an arduous journey wrought with challenges, hurdles and even sadness. However this scripture gives hope that the things we experience are orchestrated to develop, grow and cultivate us for a good future purpose. This “good” is sometimes impossible to see when we are in "layover land" (this is the place in between where I am now and where I want to be in the future). But trusting God means to have faith and know that ALL of these experiences will work for your good.
Activity Directions:
A#1 - The first sheet is a simple activity tracking sheet used for you to identify your daily tasks for one month. No need to write extensively, just jot down basic descriptions in 3-4 words.
Have you ever got directions from a GPS device that helped you to avoid bad traffic conditions? This is a GPS for those taking the scenic route to destiny; those who are distracted and delayed by the events on the road to purpose. After completion look at the compilation of activities to determine if these things are connected to your purpose. One cautionary note, there are things that may be completed daily (ex. cook, take garbage out, etc.) that may not be connected to your purpose but are required. These are not usually the distractions.
Write your reoccuring activities in the graphic organizer and indicate how these things are connected...select the link below for a copy of the graphic organizer...
