Recently, I visited the microcosm of all humanity. (If you were wondering, it’s an elementary public school lunchroom.) In my hands were the third-graders’ version of the Hope Diamond: blue Gatorade, a white-breaded six inch Subway sandwich (containing specifically, and only: turkey, American cheese, mustard and lettuce) and a bag of nacho cheese Doritos. I plopped onto the foldable seat attached to the more foldable table.
“Who are you?” asked the bespectacled kid on my right. “I am his grandfather,” (pointing to my left). “And, who are you?” seemed like the justifiable reply. I don’t remember the boy’s name, but I do remember his last name stood out. I had him pronounce it three times, and he finally spelled it. He added, “I was born in Poland, then lived in Texas and then moved here.” As he unfolded the story, he left Poland at age one, lived a few years in Texas until his family landed here. So, the little guy remembers Poland, no doubt exclusively from his three visits since his family left. Then, he tells me it’s a rough place. Amazing.
How many people in the world live against a backdrop like that?
I only know one.
This tells us the first of three things to know about your purpose on the planet:
1. Only you possess the capacity to fulfill your unique calling in history.
Even early in life, this young man possesses his own unique set of background, skills, abilities, interests, passions, upbringing, spiritual gifts, education (formal and informal) and experiences.
And, so it is with you. Nobody sees the world through your particular lens. Parents know any more than one child reared in the same house with the same parents eating the same food marches through life with two entirely different sets of personalities and proclivities. Okay, so no two kids eat the same food. But, even that exception supports the point. Only you have what it takes to do what God wants you to do.
Music reveals the same principle. Any one key on the piano doesn’t seem to occupy a prominent place, until it’s needed. Then, that one key holds the line between a beautiful piece of music and a “What was that?” look on the faces of the hearers. Likewise, when your role in the world goes unfilled, we all hear discordant tones.
Your life claims a particular place in history that no one else can fulfill. Your circumstances, hopes & dreams, gifts and wounds combine into a one-of-a-kind amalgamation that the world needs. And, only you can do it.
But, your calling isn’t left entirely up to you, as we see in the second thing to know:
2. You discover your purpose; you don’t create it.
No one chooses her birthplace or birthparents. Likewise, your talents, gifts, socio-economic level and interests arrive with you. They can (and should) be developed, but you have a combination of somethings at birth that you did not select.
This bore true in Jesus’ life:
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” – Jn 3:17
God sent Jesus with a purpose included.
The Apostle Paul said the same thing about himself:
Galatians 1:15-16 “But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles…”
Even the intermittent years of murdering Christians did not dissuade Paul from his perspective. He believed God called him before his get-go.
And, for you, by assessing what you inherited and what you realize, you formulate your purpose. Your purpose on the planet shows your unique blend of nature and nurture. Most agree with this truth, although very few know their purposes. That brings us to the third thing to know about your purpose on the planet:
3. God wants you to know your unique purpose.
This goes beyond what God knows. Oft-quoted Jeremiah 29:11 tells us: “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (CSB)
This tells me God plans for me to do well. That provides comfort, but not direction. The fact that God knows reinforces my belief in Him, but it leaves me without a pathway. That can be a good thing, if you don’t want to know. God’s knowing and me not knowing also absolves me of the responsibility to fulfill it.
Thankfully, God does not leave it there. Consider:
- Ephesians 5:17 says, “ So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” The choice presented here pits knowing God’s will for yourself against being foolish. Quite a contrast.
- Colossians 1:9 tells us the Apostle Paul prayed that they would know God’s purpose for their lives: “For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” His purpose for us couples with wisdom and spiritual understanding. These qualities occupy a place at the polar opposite of not knowing.
- And, Philippians, chapter one not only commands our love to grow, but verse nine and ten tell us how: “And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,” (CSB)
Here, we grow in “knowledge and every kind of discernment” so that we can “approve the things that are superior.” NASB says “excellent.” The NIV says, “That you may be able to discern what is best.” You cannot do the best without knowing what it is.
So, God wants you to know. He created you with a personalized purpose that He intends for you to know and to use.
How can you know what your purpose is?
Watch for the next blog to start or aid your discovery.
Personally, I invested two years of my life to discover my own purpose. It moved me halfway across the country and adjusted my path along the way. Without it, I could not have helped 80 new churches start and join the network I direct. Spinning off Stowe Mission as its own non-profit, raising millions of dollars and launching leaderINCREASE all came as a result of the clarity I received by crafting my personal purpose on the planet.
I want the same for you.
Who We Are
LeaderINCREASE helps leaders get clear on where to go and understand how to get there, with less hassle. We understand that choosing to make a difference as a leader isn’t always the easiest.
We focus on providing leaders with resources they need to make a difference and become actionable leaders for their organization. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals as we have done for many others.
