CHAPTER 1

Purpose Begins With God

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36 (KJV)

When we hear the word purpose, we often immediately think about what we are supposed to do. What am I called to? What am I good at? What should I build? Where should I serve? What difference am I supposed to make?

Those are worthwhile questions. But they are not the first question.

Before we ask what our purpose is, we need to understand Who our purpose belongs to. If purpose begins with us, we can spend our lives trying to construct something meaningful enough to prove that our lives matter. But if purpose begins with God, everything changes. We are not inventing meaning. We are responding to the God who gave us life.

You Were Created Before You Accomplished Anything

There was a time when you had accomplished nothing. No career. No ministry. No degree. No family of your own. No reputation. No platform. No list of people you had helped. You had produced nothing, and you still had value.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:27 (KJV)

Before humanity had built anything, we belonged to God. Our worth did not begin with productivity. And neither does our purpose.

Purpose Is Not the Same as Proving Your Worth

It can become easy for driven, capable, helpful people to feel most valuable when they are useful. There is a difference between stewarding a meaningful life and needing achievement to prove that our life has meaning. One produces faithfulness. The other can produce endless striving.

God's Purpose Is Larger Than Our Assignment

An assignment can change. A job can end. Children grow. A ministry can close. A role can shift. A season can finish. If we make one assignment equal to our entire purpose, when that assignment ends we may feel as though we lost ourselves.

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” Colossians 3:23 (KJV)

The common thread is not necessarily the task. It is Who we are doing it for.

Calling, Purpose, Gifts, and Assignment

Identity answers who we are, and our deepest answer is found in Christ. Purpose asks what our life is ultimately for: to belong to God, glorify Him, walk with Him, and participate faithfully in what He gives us to do. Gifts are abilities, capacities, opportunities, resources, and spiritual gifts. Calling is the way God draws or directs us toward something. Assignment is responsibility in a particular place or season.

These can overlap, but they should not be confused.

You Can Be Gifted and Still Be Out of Place

Capability alone does not establish calling. Just because I can does not mean God asked me to. Sometimes our greatest temptation is not doing something wrong. It is doing something good that was never ours to carry.

A need is not automatically an assignment.

Need Is Not Always Calling

There will always be needs. If every need becomes our responsibility, we will eventually carry more than God gave us.

Jesus said, “I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.” Luke 4:43 (KJV)

He knew what He was sent to do. Purpose gives direction, and direction sometimes requires saying no to something good.

Purpose Is Not Always Impressive

Much of God's work happens quietly: raising children faithfully, going to work, caring for an aging parent, praying privately, bringing integrity into an ordinary workplace, serving without a title, or standing beside one hurting person.

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much...” Luke 16:10 (KJV)

Small does not mean purposeless. Hidden does not mean unimportant.

Sometimes Purpose Is Preparation

Learning, waiting, practicing, healing, growing, developing discipline, building knowledge, watching someone else, and serving under another person's leadership can all be preparation. David was anointed king before he became king. Preparation is not wasted time.

Sometimes Purpose Is Staying Where You Are

Sometimes the next purpose filled thing is not a new opportunity. It is faithfulness where we already are.

Sometimes Purpose Requires Movement

Abram heard, “Get thee out of thy country...” Genesis 12:1 (KJV). Sometimes purpose requires movement before certainty. Eventually discernment has to become obedience.

Purpose Is Not About Becoming Indispensable

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)

We can contribute deeply without believing everything depends upon us.

Purpose Does Not Always Feel Purposeful

There will be ordinary days. Laundry. Paperwork. Driving. Cleaning. Answering messages. Making dinner. Purpose does not require every moment to feel profound. Sometimes purpose is faithfulness repeated long enough that something meaningful is built.

Begin With What Is Already in Your Hands

God asked Moses, “What is that in thine hand?” Exodus 4:2 (KJV).

Maybe the first question is not: What great thing am I supposed to do?

Maybe it is: What has God already placed in my hands?

Lord, what do You want me to do with this?

Purpose begins with God. It belongs to Him. It flows from relationship with Him. Before we need a five year plan, perhaps we simply need enough surrender to let Him show us what is already in our hands.