Over the millennium men and women have sought answers to why life matters or why we exist; but most urgently people want to know, what is my role? This search for significance repeats itself anew across each passing generation. In the end, we all want to find meaning and purpose.
It seems everyone has an opinion or view on purpose; this is why, as Christians, we seek answers from the Word of God. Ultimately, our primary calling (purpose) is to know and love (glorify) God (Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev.4:11).
If our primary calling (purpose) is to know and love God through faith in Jesus Christ; our secondary calling (purpose) is to express this relationship in everything we do and with everyone we encounter. So, when we keep our primary calling first and seek to express it in and through our secondary calling, we become more holistic in our thinking and practice.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Everyone comes with a unique combination of experiences, gifts, and relational networks that form a sphere of opportunities. Other components that relate to your unique purpose are your personal experiences, skills, education, temperament, and roles, as well as your spiritual gifts. Each of these elements is relevant to your vision of the specific outworking of God’s universal purpose in your life.
Ultimately, purpose is all about relationship: relationship with God and with the people we live, work and play alongside. When people and purpose intersect, we weave a most beautiful tapestry and with it a life rich with meaning.
Our primary calling (purpose) in life is to know and love God through faith in Jesus Christ; our secondary calling (purpose) is to express this relationship in everything we do and with everyone we encounter. So, when we keep our primary calling first and seek to express it in and through our secondary calling, we become more holistic in our thinking and practice.
So, how do we do this?
We begin by thoughtfully looking at our experiences, gifts, and relational networks that form our sphere of opportunities. For me, it was the ability to pull people, resources and ideas together to accomplish a common goal. It started when I was young and repeated itself through ever increasing roles of responsibility and opportunity. Then one day, in prayer, the Lord made it clear to me: you are gifted, experienced and relationally connected to build up and take people and organizations to new levels of achievement. In essence, God gave me a passionate heart for people and organizations so that amazing things can be achieved together. In my case it’s to release the God given potential in 100,000 Christian leaders across greater Austin. Way cool hey!
So look to others to confirm your natural and spiritual gifts. Never take for granted the people God places around you; they are there to grow, encourage and guide you even when those experiences are not always pleasurable. The common thread that should be popping up for you is that purpose cannot be separated from relationship. We learn, grow and excel in our life’s purpose in and through relating with people.
So connect with the people in your life, go to the Lord in prayer and process what is God saying to you through all these experiences.
