5 Ways To Develop Your Purpose
"Life isn't about getting and having, it's about giving and being." – Kevin Kruse
As we have discussed joy this month, we have discovered that joy isn't an emotion that comes as a result of something good in our lives. Rather, it's the strength we need when times are hard. The quote at the top of this page really depicts this truth. Obtaining things doesn't make life better and certainly doesn't bring joy.
This past week Stephen "Twitch" Boss, an entertainer and dancer who brought me joy to watch, died from suicide. I don't know any details about his death, but I know everything looked good from the outside. He had a beautiful wife, kids, friends, and a home. From my distant view of him through Instagram reels and TV shows, his life seemed happy and put-together. My heart is sad with the realization that what was on the inside didn't match what he showed on the outside.
Isn't that true for a lot of us? We go through the motions of life trying to strive and attain it – whatever it is. We don't realize our life's impact on others in the here and now. People often buy the lie that what they do and who they are doesn't matter. If that is you, I want to help you rewrite that script in your mind.
Find Clarity About Your Future
Jeremiah 19:11 says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." You have a plan written out for you by the God of the universe. Think about that! Therefore, our job is to learn the plans and callings for our lives.
The five areas to examine for clarity and develop your purpose are:
Self - Psalm 139:13-17 says, "For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest part of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!"
Every time I read those verses, I am in awe of God's thoughts toward me and that my days were written out before I even drew my first breath. You were made with a purpose and a calling. But it's not enough for God to know that purpose and calling – you need to know and use that as your "north star," directing your days, months, and years.
One practice I was taught is to pick three words of how you want to show up in the world. Then set intentions to live those three words by setting reminders in your phone 2-3 times per day. It's a great way to check in with yourself and evaluate how you are showing up. A sense of purpose and joy comes into our lives when we live with intention.
Relationships - Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
Since 2020, we have gotten into a bad habit of withdrawing from people. Not just people, but as a society, we have withdrawn from volunteering – looking beyond ourselves and our immediate gratification.
However, purpose and joy come from serving others with our gifts. The Bible talks about how each of us has differing gifts and are to bring them together to create a healthy body of believers who work together to bring in the end-time harvest of souls.
Skill - Let's talk about your gifts. Yes, you have a gift! I have spoken with far too many people who don't feel like they have a skill or a gift. In actuality, I think the problem is that we don't see our talents and abilities as worthy as maybe someone who has a "flashy" gift.
For example, my mom has the "gift of gab" along with other beautiful gifts. She can talk to anyone anywhere! I admire that gift to keep a conversation going because I have to work at it. Whatever your giftings are, develop them even more. Or, if there is something you want to get better at, take classes or learn from others to get better.
Service - Acts 20:34-35 says, "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Have you ever volunteered for something or helped someone without them asking? It feels great because we were created to serve one another. Service gets our focus off of ourselves and onto God and others – which is where it should be.
Service is about giving your all to all aspects of your life – serving your family and being a role model or a team leader. It's doing your job with all your heart. It is about serving a mission higher than yourself. It's about serving God.
Spirit - You are first and foremost a spirit – it's the real you. You have a soul, which is your mind, will, and emotions. And you live in a body. Because you are a spirit first, it needs to be aligned with your calling for you to truly feel and realize your purpose.
When people don't have the spiritual side aligned correctly, they often say there is a piece missing. They feel a hole in their life that they aren't sure how to fill. You can try to fill that hole with the previous four categories (yourself, relationships, skills, and service), but if you haven't put God in the center of everything, nothing you do will bring you joy.
In John 15, Jesus talks about abiding in Him – that we can do nothing without Him! All that we do has to come from our relationship with Jesus. When you do, you will find your purpose and your joy.
Let me know your thoughts on this subject in the comments below. How have you found your purpose?