The Purpose PuzzleSample

The work of exploring your purpose and how God has equipped you to serve where you are in your life demands persistence and patience. It helps if you live in a flow of prayer, thinking and jotting down your thoughts on paper or any other medium that works for you. Unfortunately, space limits how practical we can be here. You can find the specific guiding questions in the book, Chasing Donkeys.

Edge 1: What Are My Desires?

Psalm 37:4 teaches that when we commit our hearts to the Lord and His words to us in scripture, He will begin to shape our hearts to desire things that He desires. As a reminder, when we read that He “gives us the desires of our hearts,” that’s not a reference to an endless wish list. It’s an indication that the things we desire for our lives were placed there or given to us by God and are consistent with Who He is.

Edge 2: What Are My Talents?

In 1 Kings 7:13,14 we discover an interesting person. His name is Huram. He was extremely talented with working with bronze. He was so good at what he did, King Solomon requested his services in building the first temple in Jerusalem. Take a moment and consider the skills you have that can add great value to others.

Edge 3: What Are My Opportunities?

It’s very likely you’ve heard about the first miracle Jesus ever performed. He was attending a wedding and they ran out of wine. His mother was there and simply pointed it out. He responded by asking a group of servants to fill large water jugs with water and then proceeded to facilitate the water changing into wine. Someone else had an “unexpected opportunity.” It was the servants. Those who were serving witnessed the miracle first hand. What opportunities do you have to serve others with your skills and see the infinite work of God beyond your finite abilities?

Edge 4: How Am I Growing?

I have a firm conviction that followers of Jesus should not be the same person tomorrow that they are today. We should always be learning, growing and transforming. Romans 12:2 makes this point very clear: Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

It has been my experience that when I find these key pieces to the Purpose Puzzle and embrace each day as an opportunity to see God at work in and through me, He begins to fill in the missing pieces. He completes the puzzle. The challenge for us is to wait and watch patiently as He does the work while we are obedient to love Him and others. And whatever you do, don’t quit.