Every organisation has a purpose for which it is set up. This is usually communicated in the vision statement and informs their strategy, the type of structure they need to put in place, the job roles they would have in the organisation and the type of people they need to attract. This level of clarity goes a long way to determine if the organisation will be successful or not.
This approach of starting with the end in mind has been a fundamental principle of life.
Jesus Christ came up to say ‘for this purpose’ in different places in the book;
1 John 3:8
John 12:27
Luke 4: 43
All the above scriptures point to a singular purpose of Jesus Christ; to reconcile us with God in a newness of life.
He spent about three years to drive this purpose, putting in place the right strategy, structure, departments and roles and over 2000 years after, the purpose is still being fulfilled.
Now, we are not exempted from the fundamental principle. When God created us, it was ‘for this purpose’. If we are however not living for that purpose, then we have been abusing our stay here on earth and our continuous stay on this earth is most likely because the God that created us is giving us another chance to live for the purpose which He created us in the first place.
You may be asking, for what purpose was I created? This question is in the heart of many people and many answers given have honestly compounded the problem than solve it.
One of the reasons is that they try to answer the question not from the perspective of the creator but that of the individual.
They look at the individual and say what you are good at doing might be an indication of what your purpose is. Hmmm! This sounds more like the clay saying to the porter ‘this is what you should make out of me’. What comes out of this is ambition devoid of purpose
How can we expect to answer this ‘for what purpose?’ by ourselves without the maker?
Even at this, putting the Maker first, many spend their entire lifetime on earth trying to ask Him what is their purpose.
Answering the question is very simple when we look at it from God’s word.
Our purpose on earth is to fulfill the purpose for which Jesus Christ came to the earth. Here are the pointers;
“for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago],”
2 Timothy 1:9 AMP
“For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.”
1 Peter 2:21 AMP
This was said of Apostle Paul
“Get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you [to serve] as a minister and as a witness [to testify, with authority,] not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you,”
Acts 26:16 AMP
“Both Jesus who sanctifies and those who are sanctified [that is, spiritually transformed, made holy, and set apart for God’s purpose] are all from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,”
Hebrews 2:11 AMP
“And in accordance with this will [of God] we [who believe in the message of salvation] have been sanctified [that is, set apart as holy for God and His purposes] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) once for all.”
Hebrews 10:10 AMP
“Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example or pattern for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:16 AMP
“But now since you have been set free from sin and have become [willing] slaves to God, you have your benefit, resulting in sanctification [being made holy and set apart for God’s purpose], and the outcome [of this] is eternal life.”
Romans 6:22 AMP
We all have different giftings, talents, passion, personality etc, these are just enablers to help us fulfill the singular purpose of God for our lives which is to serve Him in His own way.
Our purpose is defined in Christ Jesus already and all we need to do is ask ourselves what is it that makes God happy, that made Him say about Jesus ‘this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased’
Let us begin to apply our talents, passion, skills, personality in this light then we will be able to say with every sense of conviction that ‘for this purpose I was created’. Rather than praying and ask God for what purpose am I created, start using your talents in whatever you have found to do to serve God. Clarity will come as you embark on this journey.
Time is running out, we can no longer take a sleep walk approach to fulfilling our purpose.
God bless you.
Akindele Afolabi.
Christian Employee Series.