Cameron is like so many people in life, drifting aimlessly and wondering why he is here. He wakes up every day with a sense of dread and anxiety. He is not alone. Some say we have a crisis of purpose in our culture. Too many people feel the same way as Cameron.
When the book, The Purpose Driven Life, was released by Pastor Rick Warren more than 10 years ago, it struck a chord with millions of people. The book remains relevant and has a simple but powerful message-every person has dignity and is born with a purpose. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us in 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This verse speaks to a plan, a hope, a future–a belief that gives each person value and purpose.
Author Frederick Buechner equates God’s purpose for us with our greatest satisfactions. He says, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” Think about this quote, there is need and fulfilment in purpose. Let’s break this down a bit.
When your purpose is clear you find it applies to all aspects of life: professional, personal, and spiritual. Your God-given gifts are an expression of purpose. And when those gifts are employed for the benefit of others, in each realm of life, we move closer to full purpose living. Cameron needs to identify his God-given gifts and start asking, how can I use my gifts to help others.
Purpose only becomes purposeful when finely targeted toward others and service. Expressing your purpose improves the situations and lives of those around us. Personal relationships flourish. Professional relationships are valued. And your spiritual relationship is deepened by greater and more focused communion with our Creator.
Purpose expressions can change and be flexible. For example, Mozart’s music has been “interpreted” by multiple conductors over the years. Did his intentions change? Were the notes he so creatively arranged in astounding sequences altered? No. His purposes for his music did not change, but the expressions have. If your true purpose is to guide or nurture others, imagine how, at different stages of life, that purpose’s expression may change. Flexibility, even in life purposes, is one of God’s greatest gifts to all of us.
The message to Cameron and all of us is to trust that God put us on this earth for a purpose. We are to do good works and bring glory to His name. Without that understanding, it is easy to drift aimlessly though life and feel anxious.
So, point others to God, help them identify their gifts and use them to serve. Knowing you are part of an eternal plan brings great joy and satisfaction. Walking in your purpose pulls you out of self-focus and reminds you that you belong to someone greater than yourself, who has work for you to do.