Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.
Marian Wright Edelman
I have often had varying conversations about career choices which eventually turn into discussions about purpose or mission. For many, one’s life is tagged to one’s purpose. But one must define it for themselves and it is a journey.
I am providing my perspective and unveiling my experience on how I discovered my purpose. Again, it is my experience. For some, it is unveiled in a dream. for others it a time of deep reflection. Personally, I was thrust into it following years of doing all the right things with self-satisfying motives. All of my efforts dried up and were useless in the grand scheme. I trust my experience will help define some guidelines to follow. But most of all it will help to define for yourself who you are in the eyes of God.
The Backstory
Growing up I absolutely loved singing. I would sing in the shower, in front of family, in the street, and on stage. I sang in choirs, entered talent shows and participated in drama productions, and musicals. in particular. My parents supported this by attending the services, the school productions, buying the music and piano, introduced me to distinctive styles and more. My friends at school encouraged me to boldly pursue duets and performance arts schools. Word spread fast of my musical abilities, and it did wonders for my confidence. We all believed I would enter the world of song writing and performing.
Meanwhile, whenever I was in a group of my kids my age or younger, I inevitably was selected as the teacher or the leader of the group. Not only was I teaching but I would proudly position where each child would sit, arrange the chalk and board just so, and coordinate what was taught. Adults would appreciate my care over their babies while envy my command of their attention. Once again, support from my inner court inspired me to apply to university and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
With these two passions near and very dear to my heart, I pursued a robust education in only one of them. And while I still enjoy singing in the shower and while washing dishes, I was not good, not even close to stellar vocals of the heroes I admired like Nina Simone, Chaka Khan, Barbra Streisand, or Diana Ross. Further, at present, I am doing neither one of these passions – singing or teaching.
Frankly, it was not until after I moved to Los Angeles with no job, no apartment of my own, and limited funds, did I have to face the harsh realities of survival in a new city. I was determined to find a job or jobs with steady compensation packages. After feeling rejected and demoralized following a visit to the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) building, a random receptionist position dropped onto my lap at Merrill Lynch’s new office building in Downtown Los Angeles. While answering phones was not exactly reflective of my college education, it allowed me a spacious Hollywood apartment, paid the bills, and opened doors to other opportunities which made even more money.
For the next five years, I was making my bag. I was self-reliant, confident in my abilities, and empty. While the bank account was at capacity, I was sensing great dissatisfaction overall. No amount of money, parties, clothes, shoes, size TV, or fancy restaurant could satiate the emptiness I was feeling. I recall distinctly the Saturday I was alone in my beautiful apartment, in my bedroom looking over the balcony in complete silence. It was in that moment of quiet, I heard my voice speaking; not aloud but a sweet, consoling voice in my head; as if speaking to myself. I heard words like “you are not alone,” “your works are empty,” “let’s uncover your purpose”. Admittedly, I quickly looked around the room to confirm I was alone and in that same instant, I felt a cozy warmth.
Pacing about the apartment, I began audibly talking aloud to God. The same God I had ignored since I was 13 years old. Ten years later, I was pleading with God to fill the emptiness I was feeling and guidance toward uncovering my purpose. I recall the sun was shining then it was sunset by the time I finished talking. The following hour, a work colleague called and asked what I was doing the next day – Sunday. I invited her to join me for breakfast, she had a better offer. She asked me to be ready by 6:15am and she was going to pick me up. We drove by a church building where a line was forming at the doorway. I joked the church may have been giving away cheese, but she corrected me that cheese was not the giveaway.
Upon entering the church house, I informed she had been there three weeks earlier and made new friends. They recognized her and she made introductions. Though seating was limited and there were congregants sitting on the steps of the pulpit, she and I ended up on the second row of the sanctuary. The music, the prayers, and the choir were sweet, and spirit filled. Yet it was the sermon topic that took my breath away. The Pastor spoke of purpose. What? My mouth dropped.
I will not go into the entire development of how that Sunday in 1995 changed my life. But I am going to point out the key points of how God manifested what skills and capacity I had to accomplish His will for my life.
Before I do, these are the points and scriptures I memorized and researched. I wanted to be completely certain, I was seeking my purpose according to what God wanted for my life. First, in the Book of Ephesians 2:10 the apostle Paul says, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God calls you to a purpose—to do good works—“tailor-made” just for you.
God has a purpose for everyone—including those who resist Him. Ultimately, God will get the glory no matter the person because He is the Giver of purpose in every life whether they live for Him or not. “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).
Psalm 57:2 says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” This is key in understanding God’s purpose for your life. God has numbered your days and will fulfill every purpose He has for you. However, our choices and actions also really matter.
Resources
The next thing I did, as I began to uncover the purpose of my life is tap into resources. Yes, the Bible is the penultimate guidebook, but God provides people and sources who will provide a more practical guide toward your learning.
Rick Warren is a pastor and author who wrote the book “The Purpose Driven Life.” In it, Rick talks about God’s intentions to use our talents to do good in the world and explains God’s 5 purposes for us.
- We were planned for God’s pleasure
- So, your first purpose is to offer real worship (the expression of our thankfulness and appreciation for who God is and what God had done: through music, dance, art, prayer, writing, poetry, etc.)
- We were formed for God’s family
- So, your second purpose is to enjoy real fellowship (the companionship, intimacy of relationship with the intension to encourage, serve, worship together with like-minded Believers)
- We were created to become like Christ
- So, your third purpose is to learn real discipleship (devoted to becoming like Christ through learning the teachings, life, and goals of Christ. Usually, this learning is obtained from another Believer who is also devoted to the teachings, life, and goals of Christ)
- We were shaped for serving God
- So, your fourth purpose is to practice real ministry (devoted life to serving in the local church (voluntary) or using your profession or career to serve communities, people, children, social justice, etc.)
- We were made for a mission
- So, your fifth purpose is to live out real evangelism (spreading of the Christian gospel or The Good News by public preaching or personal witness)
Dave Ramsey is a Finance Planner. Lecrae is a Musician/Rapper. Stephen Curry is an Athlete. Michael Hyatt is an Entrepreneur.
All are noted individuals known for their working careers but their purposes are found in their ministries in which they glorify God in serving others.
Observation
Take this week to read, learn, pray, and ask questions. I welcome your insight. Leave your comments or questions and I will respond as best I can.
…now what, Linda
now what, Linda? 