Your Purpose Is Not About You!

Posse by Rubenshito at www.freeimages.com

You know the question!  You have asked it in various forms.  It goes like this:  What am I here for?  What is my purpose?

This is a good question.  Most all of us have asked this question.  We are exploring the purpose and meaning of our existence.  But let me suggest that this is not the best question.  This question focuses on ourself!  What am I here for?  What is my purpose?

When we come to understand purpose, we understand that purpose is a means to an end that is not ourself.  We want to be a part of something bigger and more important than our own self.  We want to be a difference-maker in a larger movement.  Ultimately, finding our purpose begins when we realize we must lose the focus on our own glory and become a servant to a larger cause.

People that spend their lives focused on their own pleasure, achievements, and glory end up lonely, bitter, and disillusioned.  This understanding of purpose fits in perfectly with Scripture.  Scripture teaches us that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph. 2:10).  We are to do good works so that the world will give glory, not to ourselves, but to our Father in heaven (Mat. 5:16).  The defining call of Christ to anyone who would follow after him is to deny themselves, take up His cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23).  Christ wants us to take up his purpose as our own.

What this means is don’t spend all your time talking about how you want to change the world.  Don’t tie your purpose to getting the perfect job, inventing a new solution or medicine, or becoming rich and famous.  Instead focus on causes you are passionate about that are bigger than yourself.  You see a much better question than “What am I here for?” is “Who am I here for?”  When you realize that you are here for God and to serve your fellow man, than you find a passion and purpose that will make a difference in your life and in this world!

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Idea came from Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast – Sept. 2017