Purpose: Not What We Do But How We Do It
Purpose. The thing at the root of so many of our New Year’s Resolutions and goals. We think we might have been created for more, and we assume that purpose is buried somewhere at the end of a long list of things we can accomplish to find it: learn a new language, run a marathon, choose a new career, get out of debt.
Wanting to do the thing we were created to do is a noble and worthy desire. And it’s something the enemy doesn’t want us to know about, so he’s blurred the lines and distorted the truth.
Our purpose isn’t what we do, but how we do it.
God created man to worship Him. It’s as simple as that. When we give praise to our Creator, glorifying Him in all we do, we fulfill our purpose.
I have a friend who has one of the greatest gifts of hospitality I’ve ever known. Her dream is to open a retreat center where she can use her gift of hospitality to bless and minister to others. Because she’s not there yet doesn’t mean she’s not fulfilling her purpose. She uses her gift right where she is to love and serve those around her, seeking opportunities to go above and beyond in finding those whom she can bless. She is glorifying the Lord in her here and now. She is fulfilling her purpose.
My husband grew up farming and has a special fondness for it. But that’s not where God placed him to serve. Through a series of life events, God led him into the world of financial services. He also has a gift for ministering to other men and sharing the Gospel. Is he not fulfilling his purpose if he’s not using his gift in full-time ministry? Not at all.
God uses him daily to reach people he wouldn’t otherwise meet. His occupational expertise opens doors for him to glorify God. He’s fulfilling his purpose.
I started this writing journey as a fiction author, dreaming of writing novels of great importance. But somewhere along the way, God opened a door for me to write words of encouragement and spiritual insight. At first, I resisted, but God reminded me I have a purpose, and it is to worship him. I worship God when I write because I write for His glory with the very best of my ability. It’s not what I write, but how I write that glorifies Him.
Having dreams and goals is a good thing. But we mustn’t lose sight of our purpose. It’s not what we do that fulfills our purpose. It’s how we do it.
Questions for Reflection:
1. When have you struggled to understand your purpose?
2. How does seeing the worship of God as your purpose help you find contentment?
