Pursuing PurposeSample

To banish FOWOT (Fear Of What Others Think), you must know that:

• God created you on purpose, for purpose.
• God custom-designed a process and pathway to purpose.
• God carefully moves you toward progress.
• You must confidently overcome protests.
• You must prepare for purpose in the way God intends.

Then…

You must proclaim the promises and passionately pursue them.

We pick up our story in verse 41 of 1 Samuel 17. It’s the moment of truth for David. It’s the time that FOWOT included fear of what a massive, giant-of-a-bully thought. But David, whose purpose, process, and past progress now made sense, was ready for war.

But then something strange happens. For 8 verses we see a war of words – not of weapons. We see an enemy try one final time to throw David lies of insecurity, to create doubt in his confidence, and to cast fear in David’s mind. And David did two very powerful things here that we, too, must do when that final FOWOT tries to attack: Proclaim the promises and passionately pursue.

To paraphrase, David said to the enemy, “Hey, it’s true that you can come at me with all these weapons, but I’ve got the Lord on my side. He WILL deliver you into my hands today. I will win.” And then? The best part: David ran quickly toward the battle line. Enough talk. Enough preparation. It’s time to passionately pursue.

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The story reads like an underdog-turned-superhero novel. Even though he didn’t see the reasoning or understand the whys at first, David soon realized that all his talents, skills, and life experiences had been pointing toward purpose – a purpose created by God and a purpose kept hidden until just the right moment. Though others doubted and protested, he chose to forget the fear of what others thought and, instead, pushed toward purpose, trusted the process, and allowed for progress. Connecting the dots and seeing clearly for the first time, he knew – in one moment – that it was time to passionately pursue and to run toward God’s perfect plan. Fully prepared and equipped by God, he ran…

Do me a favor. Fill in these blanks with your name or with he or she, him or her, and let’s read this story about YOU:

The story reads like an underdog-turned-superhero novel. Even though ____ didn’t see the reasoning or understand the whys at first, ____ soon realized that all ____ talents, skills, and life experiences had been pointing toward purpose – a purpose created by God and a purpose kept hidden until just the right moment. Though others doubted and protested, ____ chose to forget the fear of what others thought and, instead, pushed toward purpose, trusted the process, and allowed for progress. Connecting the dots and seeing clearly for the first time, ____ knew – in one moment – that it was time to passionately pursue and to run toward God’s perfect plan. Fully prepared and equipped by God, ____ ran…

***

God
Plans your purpose,
Prepares the process,
Promotes you through progress,
so you can
Passionately pursue.

Personal Reflection:

What part of the past few days is still hard for you to grasp? Before moving on, consider going back to day one and reading straight through, as though one, larger devotion instead of 6 days. Ask God to reveal something new to you as you do.

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Allyson McElroy is an author, ministry speaker, and leadership trainer. Find information about her books, devotionals, Bible studies, and more at www.on3ministries.com