The Power of Purpose
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. – 1 Cor 9:24 NIV
The question “What is my life’s purpose?” is a popular one these days as many people in our materialistic and pleasure-seeking culture search for a deeper meaning life. Most recently, superstar New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady, admitted that there was more to life than winning the Superbowl. However, he was not sure what that was. How are you living out your life’s purpose or calling?
We all have the same primary calling. God calls all of us to be a part of his family, to come to know him and fellowship with him through a personal relationship with his Son, Jesus. Referring to Christians, Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:8 that God has “…saved us [Christians] and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…(NKJV)”. We need to live our entire lives for the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31)
In addition to our primary calling, we also have a secondary calling, given to us before we were born. This is our own unique calling or life purpose. It is what we were born to do in order to be a catalytic influence right where we are with our own unique abilities and passions … for such a time as this. Just like Jeremiah and Paul (Jer 1:4-5, Gal 1:15), God appointed us all for great things before we were born. How does it make you feel to know this?
Purpose does indeed have power. A power that ultimately comes from God but when lived out in our lives can give us power to live more effectively in and of itself. Living with intention or purpose allows us to live authentic and exceptional lives. Having a sense of purpose, especially when aligned with God’s will, allows ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Running the race of our lives with a sense of purpose will enable us to obtain the prize. How will you live out your purpose today?
Awesome post.
Right now, I’m living on the “back side of the desert” ready to hear the call that God has for me…I’ve left behind the one that has “common sense” written all over it.
Please “enter me” into the contest.
Thank you for blessing me today.
Amen!
Please enter me!
Blessings,
Julia
Entering for today! But this was a great reminder to stay strong, steady and press on, press on and press on some more when you know God has called you to do something!! Thanks again for this chance to help with what God has called me to do!!
Dear Bloggers, Again the Lord awaken me early to filter my thoughts and make reverence to him before my day began. I am humbled and amazed at todays devotion. If anyone was able to read my comments yesterday, you will see the connection between what i wrote and what was said in the devotion. I praise you God for confirming in us your calling to serve this mighty kingdom. I pray for each woman out their willing to run that race with preserverance, in hopes to complete the medal of eternal hope and eternal existence with our Christ. Please “enter me”.
In him,
Eileen Gumpel
J4J
Everyday I run the race,there are days when I fall short are try harder the next day.
God Bless,
Please enter me in the contest.
ginger
Amen! I am in the process of refining my life so I can stay on the path that has purpose!
Thank you for entering me!
Jen
Last night I got on my knees and surrendered myself to the calling God has given me. I have been fighting against Him for a while, feeling uneasy and ill-prepared. The truth whatever I do in the name of Christ I am prepared for through the Holy Spirit. What a terrific “Atta-girl” moment to read the blog this morning.
Oh, yeah, please enter me.
Janna,
Don’t you just get a holy chill down your spine when you read Wendy and Eileen’s words? To know that the Spirit writing through you has spoken so clearly to hearts this morning…what a blessing.
I heard the interview with Tom Brady and I cried. I wept because he doesn’t know that Jesus has a purpose for each of us.
We’re talking about vision today for In Other words and your thoughts just amplify my own. Thank you for these life giving words today friend!
As long I seek to follow his plan for my life, I do not have to figure it all out myself. It makes me feel at peace to know God appointed me for great things before I was born. It takes some of the pressure off me that I can put on myself with worry or over-planning.
I will have the joy today of living out one of my purposes as a mom. I get to go my daughter’s open house at her acting class. I cannot wait!
Please enter me today. Thank you!
Janna, WOW!
Living with intention or purpose allows us to live authentic and exceptional lives. Awesome
And what happiness and contentment when we are living out our purposes for God. Fantastic post. Have a great day. Love and hugs!
Yes, Heather, I am definitely humbled and teary-eyed as I read these comments. Wow. My devotion was a very brief excerpt from a one hour talk I gave at a retreat this past weekend.
Thanks everyone, for your comments and may God bless you richly today. I’d reply but I’ve gotta run this morning.
so glad i stumbled upon this blog. This actually went right with what I was talking to Him about this morning during our quiet time. Thanks!
also, enter me, please! enter me!
There is such a peace when I am living my life for the glory of God. In my weakness, I fall short, but the Lord picks me up each and every time when I surrender to Him. It is in His strength that I can continue in the race.
Please enter me.
Janna—awesome! Your thoughts inspired by the Holy Spirit speak right to the place in my own heart where God has been speaking to me!
Bless you girl! Keep on for Him!
Fabulous post!!! I was up with my daughter at 4am this morning & then couldn’t fall back asleep, so I decided it was a great time to pray…guess what I prayed for? For the Good Lord to show me “my purpose”!!! Then, I log onto this site & read THIS post!!!! WOW!! Talk about affirmation! 🙂
Have a wonderful day!!
It’s ironic that today’s message would be on “purpose”. You see, at our Church – we are involved in a “40 Days of Purpose” Fast. The goal is to become closer to God by voluntarily denying the demands of our flesh, Increase our prayer life, & Study the scriptures with new intensity. I have been challenged in ALL areas! I had become listless in my faith wondering what my purpose was for HIS Kingdom. Then we started the 40 Days campaign. The listless feeling has waned considerably and by silencing my flesh I have been able to hear God more clearly, & recieve His guidance on what He would have me do for Him, where He would have me go for HIM. I have a peace in my spirit that I have not felt in a long time, and I know it comes from knowing what my purpose is in HIM.
Today I’m living it out with my kids. Part of my purpose is to home educate, so we’re going strong today. The other part of my purpose is to minister to others. Thankfully, I have my blog to do that! Gotta love technology!
Thank you for that powerful reminder. Especially at a time when my husband and I are both facing recent job losses, it is easy to question our “purpose”, at least according to our culture. We cling to the fact that God indeed does have a purpose and a plan. Thank you!
(please enter me)
Thanks for the gentle reminder!!
Please ENTER ME!
Awesome post today! Lacin’ on my sneakers to run! 😉
Enter me!
Thanks!!
Val
Amazing! I’ve been wandering in the valley of exhaustion, running a race that I am not supposed to run. I’m so glad I have come to desire above all else God’s calling upon my life. Thank you Jesus! Micah 7:7 says “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me”. I know He hears my desire to do what HE wants me to do…I will wait patiently for the revelation.
Mylah Luper-Johnson
“enter me please”
Living on Purpose has given me a clear direction on how to spend each day. I hate wasting time so I ask God to reveal to me how to use my time and structure my work so that I remain on purpose.
I do not want to get off on my own again. Thanks for the reminder of how we are supposed to live.
“Enter Me”
Lisa E.
Please enter me!
I know when a door closes on certain ministries of our lives, our faithful Lord will open up another door. I loved your devotion today- it was the lifter of my head! I keep looking up at Him… Blessings…
mmmmmm! Purpose! Well taught. Thanks for the info. Please “enter me”.
My daily purpose is ever changing. I heard a godly woman share that our life is like a wheel with God being the center hub. One day it is our husband that needs our undivided attention, other days our children are at the top of the wheel, still other days it is our church, or our home. But if that hub is not intact, the wheel will not turn correctly. That is purpose for me.
Joanne ***ENTER ME******
Psalm 45:1 My heart is overflowing with a good theme;
I recite my composition concerning the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Thanks for this post!
*** Please Enter Me!!****
Thank you!!
Right on as usual Janna! Thanks for the heads-up about this contest.
Enter me, please!!!
Kelley
I agree with you and in great part our fullfillment in life will depend on weather or not we accomplish and operate in that unique purpose.
Please ENTER ME in the contest.
Blessings from Puerto Rico!
What a wonderful way to express it: “Having a sense of purpose, especially when aligned with God’s will, allows ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.” AMEN. That is what gives me hope and enthusiasm, I know that when I rely in God for anything and everything I will be able to do great things for his glory. And when I say great I don’t necessarily mean big, but rather the kind of things that impact people both on the physical and the eternal manner.
Please “enter me”!
Thank you for this beautiful post. Please enter me.
What a great devotional post!! Please enter me for the She Speaks scholarship!! Thank you for this opportunity, Leigh and Laced with Grace!
Thank you for the wonderful post today!! I just shared with my mother about your blog and what wonderful gracious women you are.
Please enter me in for the She Speaks scholarship!!
With Blessings,
Rachel
I think I’m finally clue-ing in (is that really a word…?) on His purpose for my life, and it’s really, really exciting!
Thanks for the thoughts.
Please “enter me”
Sam
Amazing…Thank you for this devotion. I can not tell you how much God has used today’s devotion to reassure me that I am on the right track for him. So much of my life was spend in doubt of my purpose. Here recently God has been oping doors and directing my path and I have been obedient and fallowed. I thank God for placing this devotion in my life. Thank you for being obedient to the Lord.
Angela
“enter me”
when i discovered about purpose I realized that it does make life easier to live. You dont have to try this and that, and therefore avoid disappointments and frustrations. You are sure to focus on what your heart beats for, you work with passion and zeal. I am right now living out my purpose. I could go anywhere for my purpose, do anything for it! Its so fulfilling!
Akech
I’m trying to live out my purpose! Boy, it’s hard sometimes…
Please enter me!
I’ve found that if my purpose is to do the will of my Father, then what I do doesn’t have to be as well defined as the world says my purpose should be. It also leaves me free from worries as to whether or not I’m doing it “right” or if I’m doing what God intends. If I’m not, I know he’ll set me straight to his plan. I just try to stay out of his way. (Key word: try. I don’t always succeed. Sigh. That’s why I’m so happy to have his grace.)
oh and enter me please
You are right Janna – God has given us a purpose this side of heaven. Sometimes we take a detour though to fulfill out purpose. I just hope that I will no longer waste time to truly life out the purpose He has for me.
Thank you for sharing and reminding us that we all have a purpose this side of heaven.