Pursuing PurposeSample

No matter where I speak or minister, I always get this question: What is my purpose? How do I know what God created me to do? There's a good chance that right now, as you’re reading this, you have those same questions.

Sometimes the purpose is spoken to our spirit so clearly, it’s as though Moses’ burning bush is right in front of us, illuminating the answer. But more often than not, the answer to questions about purpose must be gradually uncovered by us like golf balls in the backyard. Let me explain.

Years before our home was built, our 5 acres was nothing but flat pasture land. And, much to the pleasure of the golfer down the road, the land was perfect for practicing his swing. All spring, summer, and fall he’d stand in his yard, launching ball after ball onto our property. With each rain, dirt and debris would cover those little white dimpled golf balls until they were buried, more and more, deeper and deeper.

Our home was built 14 years ago, and we still uncover golf balls from his long-ago practice swings! I often joke that our son probably thinks golf balls grow from the ground like weeds!

As crazy as it sounds that golf balls are hidden in our backyard, it might seem equally crazy that your purpose may be hidden within the talents and skills God gave you.

In the book of 1 Samuel, David is seen as having the skills to be good at tending sheep and playing the harp. What on earth could come of those skills? Why would God ever give him those talents? But God had a purpose for those unique skills and talents. They were a part of God's process.

As “luck” would have it (Ahem, it wasn’t luck. It was part of the process.), David’s musical skills became well known. When King Saul became anxious and troubled, his servants had the great idea of finding a musician to play the harp and comfort the king. One of the servants just happened to know about a young man from Bethlehem named David.

Saul and his servants sent for David to play the harp for the king, and whenever David played, Saul was pleased. This musical skill – perhaps thought worthless by others – allowed a king and a lowly shepherd to build a relationship that would pay off. David was so loved by Saul that he was promoted from Court Musician to Armor Bearer.

So what skills have you deemed useless, wondering if others look down on you? What talents have you kept hidden, assuming that they would never uncover your purpose? What stuff-of-life have you buried where others can’t see or judge? These skills and talents and life experiences just might be a part of the process to purpose, just like David’s harp playing and, as we’ll see later, sheep tending were.

The God of your purpose is the God of your process. Let me say that again, with emphasis on a specific word. The God of your purpose is the God of YOUR process. Your process will not look the same as someone else’s because it is custom-designed by a creative Creator, and that process may soon uncover a unique purpose.

Personal Reflection:

What talents, skills, or life experiences have you kept hidden due to FOWOT (Fear Of What Others Think)? Do you think David was embarrassed of his job or skill? Would you be embarrassed if you were David? Before moving on, ask God to reveal to you talents, skills, and life moments that could bring Him glory and be a pathway to your purpose and part of the process.