A Practical Guide for Transformative Growth Part 3Sample

Purpose

I think the biggest mistake that we make is to think that our purpose is primarily something that we do. It does include that, but first and foremost, it is an aspect of the God in whose image we were created, that we were born to put on display. Therefore, achieving purpose is more about becoming than doing. I use the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land to illustrate.

As slaves in Egypt, the Israelites had no purpose. They did not know who they were or what they were called by God to do. When you don’t know your purpose, you are a slave to other people’s agendas.

Then God delivered them from Egypt and told them that they would drive out the inhabitants from the land of Canaan and inhabit the land. They knew what they had to do. So, when they arrived at the border of the land, they sent out a spy expedition. Unfortunately, they did not know who they were. They still saw themselves as slaves, unable to stand up to the mighty inhabitants of the land. When you try to do what you are called to do before becoming who you are called to become, failure is guaranteed.

Thus began 40 years of wandering in circles in the desert so that God could kill the ‘Egypt’ mentality in the people. When you are becoming who God called you to be, it often seems like your life has no purpose because you are not seeing many results (not achieving much externally).

Finally, the Israelites are ready to take the Promised Land after the refining process. They wage an attack against the first city, and they are absolutely victorious in carrying out their assignment. When you become who you are called to be in God, then God will establish you in the place of great doings.

While finding individual purpose is one of our common preoccupations, we will only truly find fulfilment when we tap into a purpose that is bigger than ourselves. This is the ultimate place that we want to get to. We want to pursue God’s eternal and universal purpose together with others!