8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Lord, your faithful love endures forever; do not abandon the work of your hands.
PSALM 138:8 (CSB)
THE REALITY IS THAT MANY CHRISTIANS (AND NON-CHRISTIANS) LIVE FRUSTRATED LIVES BECAUSE THEY CONFUSE THEIR FUNCTION WITH THEIR PURPOSE.
YOUR PROFESSION, YOUR ROLE, OR YOUR LEADERSHIP POSITION IN THE CHURCH IS YOUR CURRENT FUNCTION, BUT IT IS NOT YOUR PURPOSE ON THIS EARTH.
EVEN IF YOUR SEAT OR FUNCTION CHANGES, YOUR PURPOSE NEVER CHANGES.
PURPOSE IS THE REASON, DRIVE, OR INTENT BEHIND DOING OR NOT DOING SOMETHING. IT IS THE ULTIMATE REASON WE UNDERTAKE AN ACTION, A ROUTINE, OR EVEN LIFE ITSELF.
PURPOSE IS CRITICAL BECAUSE IT DRIVES A PERSON’S ACTIONS AND DECISIONS. IT IS CONNECTED TO:
SELF-EFFICACY
INTRINSIC MOTIVATION
SENSE OF LIFE
THE PROBLEM WE EXPERIENCE AS HUMANS IS THAT WE TURN OUR FUNCTION INTO OUR PURPOSE.
PURPOSE IS THE ETERNAL REASON FOR YOUR EXISTENCE. PURPOSE DOES NOT CHANGE OVER TIME OR WITH CIRCUMSTANCES.
10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
LUKE 19:10 (CSB)
YOUR FUNCTION — WHAT YOU DO HERE ON EARTH — CAN CHANGE OVER TIME WITH THE DIFFERENT SEASONS OF LIFE.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
John 20:21 (NKJV)
18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
MATTHEW 28:18-20 (CSB)
IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO “DO THINGS FOR GOD”; WE MUST LIVE SENT UNDER HIS PURPOSE.
THE "MISSION MODE" IS ACTIVATED WHEN WE UNDERSTAND:
WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST.
WHAT ETERNAL PURPOSE WE CARRY.
THAT EVEN THOUGH OUR FUNCTIONS CAN CHANGE, OUR CALLING REMAINS.
"THE ONLY WAY TO DEAL WITH AN UNFOCUSED WORLD IS TO FIND YOUR OWN PURPOSE AND FOLLOW IT." — ALBERT CAMUS