I envision a world where we step into our purpose by empowering others.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1 NIV).
You start from here, exactly where you are. God does not make mistakes. You are here because you are supposed to be here. Now, look around you and really try to see. You have to want to see and want to hear what God already gave you. You must seek Him to understand why you were created, why you do what you do, why God has you here instead of there. From here to there is one step, one letter away, here to there.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)
What I found through my personal journey and seeing people around me is that, in order to find your purpose, you really have to want to find it. Some people, like me, intentionally seek out our purpose. Some people are forced to seek their purpose because they come to a dead-end or some kind of a crisis. Think of how many people founded incredible organizations or companies through personal crisis that they faced. For example, MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving was founded by a mom whose son was killed by a drunk driver, people who were addicted to drugs becoming pastors or counselors and affecting the lives of those suffering from drug addiction, a divorce talking about what not to do to save other marriages. I believe for many people, when they face crisis, it forces them to seek the meaning of life. They may think that they found the purpose unwittingly but that is not true. The circumstances forced them to knock, seek, and find their purpose.
When we find the purpose for which we were created and step into that purpose, we change the world. First, we change our world and then, we change the world of those we touch. One by one, the light goes on until the entire world gets lit up. Isn’t this what we were meant to do? Make a better, brighter world?
Furthermore, if we truly believe that God is good, that He is always good, doesn’t it make sense that God would let us do what we like to do? God lets us do what we like to do because God wired us to like the purpose for which He created us for. A cup probably likes being a cup because that’s what it was created to do. We naturally like to cook, read, teach, make, whatever it is that we like to do because that is the talent that God gave us. We are to use our talents to live out the purpose for which we were created.
In this sense, you are to re-discover what you like to do, what you always liked to do since you were a child. When God created us, He wired us to make us capable to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. It says in Romans 8:37, “We are more than conquerors.” I don’t believe God would make us do something that we don’t like to do and force His will upon us. No, I believe God is good, He is always good. He created us to like what He created us to do. So, go back to the beginning and remember. What did you always like to do? When you find the answer, that is where your purpose lies.
In the beginning when God created the universe, He created us in his image.
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27 NIV)
Right after creating us, he blessed us. We didn’t have to do anything to receive His blessings. He created us and then He immediately blessed us. And by blessing us, He gave us everything to fulfill our purpose.
“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28 NIV)
Exactly how are we to be fruitful and increase in number, rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky? Our God also gave us the means to do it. He gave each of us talents and we are to use our talents to fulfill our purpose. When we find our purpose, we will know how to fulfill that purpose. When God tells us to do something, he always gives us the means to achieve it. When we step into fulfilling His purpose for us, God will start to rearrange the universe to open the doors to make it happen. That’s how we become fruitful, increase in number, and rule over the world. To me, this is what you call, crushing it! To God, I believe he will see that it is good.
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31 NIV)
When you come to the realization of what your purpose is, how to fulfill the purpose will also be revealed to you. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. It’s time for you to learn what your purpose is by praying, meditating on the Word, and actively engaging in the world. Yes, praying is essential, reading and hearing the Word of God is undeniably important but you must also do something. Try different things. You don’t have to change your career overnight or change at all. You can try a new hobby. Think of what you would do if money was not an issue. How would you contribute to the world and the people around you?
Do you know that you, me, we, were not created for us? We were created first for God, then for others. The greatest command Jesus gave us is to love each other as He has loved us. (John 15:12 NIV). He said that by loving each other, by becoming one, the world will know that Jesus is from God.
God gave you the talents and your purpose is to use your talents to love others, to encourage, to help, to guide, to enrich the lives of those around you. You are here to empower others. Your life is not about you. The money you earn is not for you. The food you eat is not for you. The house you live in is not for you. The education you received wasn’t for you. The experiences you’ve gained, whether good or bad, aren’t just about you. Use your money, your education, your experience, all of your talents, all of who you are to fulfill the purpose of loving others. That’s how we truly empower others.