Calling and Purpose 17—More Scriptural Guidance

The dictionary defines purpose as both a noun and a verb.  Purpose is “the reason for which something exists; an intended or desired result; determination; resoluteness; to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself; to intend; design.”[i]

 Your purpose develops out of your God-given passions, talents, spiritual gifts, and context and is influenced by where God has placed you at this moment in time.  Purpose is shaped by the answers to questions like:

·       What/who do you feel drawn towards? 

·       What makes you angry/upset?

·       What inspires you?

·       What will you carve out space in your schedule to make room for?

 Contrary to what the world says, you cannot do everything.  However, you are designed to do some things particularly well.  You have been carefully formed to flourish and contribute in a particular arena. 

 And, Scripture continuously emphasizes that you are not carrying out this purpose on your own, nor alone.  If God intends it to succeed, it will.  As the Pharisee and teacher of the law Gamaliel said before the Sanhedrin about the work of the apostles:  “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men….Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God” (Acts 5:27-39).

 You contribute the best of your efforts and commitment—without comparison to others’ efforts and commitment—knowing that God is the one who brings the growth, the fruit.  Paul speaks to exactly this when he writes to the church in Corinth. Those in the church were picking favorites among their leaders, likely based on their charisma and/or gifts.  Paul makes it abundantly clear that we are each doing God’s work—not our own:  “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.

 The Apostle Paul goes on to say that “…we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:1-9).  To the church in Philippi, Paul reiterates who does the work:  “…it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13).

 ·       What is your purpose? 

·       How does that purpose align with God’s good purpose?

·       Where can you already see God causing growth and fruit?

For more on these subjects, see the Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog.  Check out other resources and a six-week workbook at GodGiftsYou.com.

 Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and law enforcement leadership for over 30 years.  Shirley has been EquipConnectServe Director at First Pres Boulder since 1999.  She has worked with leaders and organizations in 47 of the United States as well as having clients outside the U.S.  Contact Shirley. 

[i] Dictionary.com.