Let's jump right back into part two of this article on the seemingly impossible task of finding our purpose. Let's face it, many chase success, ironically, never successfully capturing it. Why? Is there anything we can do about it? How fast can we be successful? What else should we venture into to gain success? Stop... breathe... have a good look at where you are standing. There's a good place to start.
by Joshua Devaratnam
1.What is the magnitude of your purpose ? What is the range of your calling?
Joshua 1:4-6 - Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
These were the places that God was going to give victory as Joshua led His people into the Promised Land. It extended from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
It is important to note that the places don't extend more than what Joshua was called to conquer. Similarly, we all have territories and places God has already ordained for us to discover and take possession of for His kingdom.
These places and territories are part of our purpose. It is at the places and areas of your calling that He will give you victory. So, it is vital that you are aware of what He has called you to do, and the areas He's called you to influence. Because if you try to do more than you called for, chances are you will be moving in your own flesh instead of moving with the Holy Spirit's guidance.
For example, just because you can cook, it doesn't mean you must open a restaurant, and just because you like movies, doesn't mean you must be a director.
Move in the territories assigned to you because as scripture says, you will gain victory and God will never leave you forsake you. I want to stress it is so, so, so important that you are able to discern the direction God has for you!
2. How fast will I fulfill my entire destiny?
Little by little
Exodus 23:29-30 : But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.
It is also important to note that all of this is a journey. Do not expect God to fulfill and grant your dreams immediately. There is going to be a lot of sacrifice and pain before the successes in each season.
God has to always prepare us for what He has called us to do. And at times if we are not prepared for the assignments which is part of our purpose, then He will train and prune us before we are ready for it.
Remember how much pruning Joseph had to go through before he was elevated from the prison to the palace. The pride he had in him had to be removed before he was given elevation to second in command over Egypt.
We are constantly being pruned for each new season and assignment. God is not in the business of giving us what we want so easily, unless it is in line with what He desires and what His perfect will is for us. God is more interested in our character and our willingness to humble ourselves and give Him ALL the glory.
Again I will mention this, He gets ALL THE GLORY.
The sooner we realise this, the better we will be at understanding that it will never be about gaining more money or riches.
Honouring God should instead always be our primary focus. And if success and wealth are the by-product of that, then great!
Remember King Solomon? He asked God for wisdom instead of wealth and God blessed him with wealth in addition to the wisdom He gave King Solomon.
We are mere stewards of what He has graciously granted us to do on earth. So, it’s best we don't look for easy success but rather look to glorifying God in all we do!
3. What is success?
We always are either chasing the next big thing or we want success that is BIG.
BIG = influence + popularity + big bucks streaming into your pockets. This is success defined by the world's standards.
What does success look like in the Kingdom?
In my humble opinion, it is operating with a spirit of excellence at what you are purposed to do. It is when you execute your God-given purpose with integrity, intentionality and discipline. It is when you succeed at the assignment God has given you.
Daniel 6:3 - Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
Have a spirit of excellence at the purpose God has for you! There is a difference between being a perfectionist and having an excellent spirit. Have you heard people say, Oh I am such a perfectionist?
Well, I'm here to debunk this theory of perfectionism for you.
Being a perfectionist is trying to perfect a task solely on your own strength. Because only God is perfect, how can we be perfect? So, it’s like you saying that you are great at this because you are talented and don't need God’s help. The focus is on self rather than on God.
We need the Grace of God to help us with the purpose GOD has for us. Having an excellent spirit is giving your best at a task by allowing the Grace of God to flow through and empower you to be the best at what you do.
See the key difference, folks?
Perfectionism is you trying to operate with your own strength but having an excellent spirit is you working through the strength and Grace of God to complete a task.
Like Daniel, when you operate with the Grace and empowerment that comes through the Holy Spirit, you will naturally always stand out in what you do.
You may only impact a few people in a season but if that is what God has tasked you to do, then you have been successful!
The world wants you to think that only when you make that BIG promotion, or only when you land a high paying job, you have made it. Yes, we can have goals but the idea is not to hit the next BIG thing but rather to be effective and successful at the current place God has placed you.
Lets take, for example, about a mother who quits her job and chooses to raise her children at home. In our day and age, this scenario will be frowned upon because both men and women are expected to be high flying career people and when a mother decides to be a homemaker, society will tend to look down upon her because now she is NOT operating by what the “norm” is. And the norm will be for you to earn well at a job and not spend much time with the affairs at home. But what if the God given purpose of the mother was to raise the children and give her best to her family instead of pursuing a career in one particular season of her life? And by doing that she works hand in hand with her husband to raise God fearing and respectful children that go on to impact the next generation? Can she be considered successful?
In my opinion, this is what success is all about. Succeeding at what God has purposed you to do in every season of your life.
Success by God's standards are very different from the world.
When we have a revelation of this, you will be very content at where you are at. You will honour the call of God upon your life and diligently pursue what God has for you.
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The enemy will never want you to find your purpose! We have to be aware that the enemy's sole purpose is to disrupt your purpose.
The enemy will never want you to find your purpose! We have to be aware that the enemy's sole purpose is to disrupt your purpose.
John 12:27-28 - “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
Matthew 26:39 - Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Jesus' soul was troubled to the point knowing that He was going to loose His life for the sake of ALL of us, Jesus made the request His humanity was seeking. He was asking that "if" there was a possibility to avoid the suffering and judgement that was coming.
Even though Jesus is God but He was FULLY human on earth as well.
That is why even He faced challenges to fulfill and finish His purpose on earth. He then prays for the will of God the Father to be done which shows that His eyes were fixated on the Fathers will even though His soul was troubled. Eventually as we all know He suffered and went to the cross, died and was RESURRECTED! Amen!
Similarly, the enemy can attack you through hurts, disappointments, wounds, unforgiveness and will bring grief to you till you may want to abort the destiny God has for you. But if you keep your eyes fixed on God's will for you, He will help you overcome the obstacles in your path.
Remember that an injury to your soul can cloud or distort your journey in finding your purpose or fulfilling it! So be very careful the next time you sense a lot of negativity or unforgiveness in your heart. Try to deal with it immediately because negativity contaminates your soul! Its like having lenses that are dirty, you will not be able to see clearly what lies in front of you..
It is important that we acknowledge if our soul is wounded, we must seek help from the Holy Spirit through our counselors, pastor and our leaders so we keep focused on the destiny God has for you.
Remember the enemy is terrified of those who have found their calling and purpose in Christ ! He will try as much to block you from fulfilling or finding your purpose. But be rest assured when you learn how to rest in His presence and allow God full access into your life, He will guide and help you all the way through! So go all in my dear friend! Stop being partially committed to the Lord! GO ALL IN!
It's time more of us discovered our destiny in Christ and step into our God given purpose. Always remember, don’t just wait to go to Heaven, but work to bring heaven down to earth. We can do that by bringing Godly influence through the fulfillment of our God given purpose.
In closing, if you feel like you keep running around in circles and find it difficult to find your purpose in life, you can always reach out to us. We will try to help you as much as we can with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Have a great day!
Joshua Devaratnam THE COURAGE CATALOGUE
Well written and clearly delineated views. Helpful and thoughtful article. Helped me refocus on my God given purpose in this life. Thank you Joshua! Keep up the good work!