Inhibited Purpose

Living a purposeful life satisfies the soul that is if you know what your purpose is. There's just so much in this world, so much noise and programmed minds that focus on the things that need to be achieved or attained so as to survive and live to see another day. What is purpose? Purpose has many definitions but one that I can relate to states that purpose is living out the reason of why you are on earth (Acts 13:36), your contribution to the society in a generation/s. A purpose is often selfless therefore the means to achieve it extends beyond oneself. 

The Bible says in the book Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. God’s plan is and was to prosper us for the glory of his name. Now looking at how the world is, poverty, war, crime and diseases raging on us amongst other troubles the world has to offer were not God’s intentions. These aforementioned troubles are part of the enemy’s distractions to keep us from focusing on God. One may say that it is difficult to focus on God when you are suffering of which is true but it all depends on perception and how much we know and trust God. Paul (the apostle who wrote most of the books of the New Testament) suffered but remained focused on his the work here on earth at that time. He had profound knowledge of God, and his passion, love for God’s word led him to surrender to God’s will whatever may come. To surrender means to let go and let God reign in you and lead you through the dark thorny days. It is not easy that much I know.

Does that then mean we will have to suffer to achieve God’s purpose? I believe that as long as you are on God’s lane and are seeking him, whatever may come the word says in  Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. So as suffering is concerned, I don’t know. What I do know is that God is a loving Father who gives you Grace to carry you through everything.

Sometimes it is not the enemy that directly distracts us from seeking God to find our purpose. It is the choices we make on a daily basis such as seeking approval from others, looking for what the world offers (the latest styles and who is trending), watching series and movies a whole weekend (I am guilty of this😔) and doing other stuff that is not progressive at all. For me, such self-destructive tendencies are a form of spiritual self-harm without feeling physical pain. A war rages within oneself, the war between the flesh and the spirit and the one that wins is the one that you yield to. There’s a time for everything including entertaining oneself and so there’s also time to Seek for the Kingdom of God and His righteousness which leads to Him revealing your purpose as you walk with him.

If it is not the worldly troubles and self-destruction, we forget about time. My biggest fear is to leave the earth without completing what I have been called to do, to achieve. In most part, I forget that since the purpose is for God’s glory and is beyond oneself this means that directly or indirectly that my disobedience affects those in my generation even though it is just a fraction of them. No man would know if I fulfilled my purpose if left it unfulfilled but God will know and I would be disappointed and unsatisfied.

I believe everyone on this earth was equipped with specific talents and gifts to enable them to fulfil their purposes. The problem is not knowing what one’s purpose is. Knowing that there is a purpose that you were called for to fulfil means that you have to seek it out. We can’t plead ignorance on this topic on judgement day. To some, it is easier to live out life as you please but the problem with knowledge, in general, is that it makes you accountable for what you know. This, in turn, may cause you to be responsible to act if needed. So I guess ignorance is better, I mean what you don’t know won’t hurt. The “double-edged sword that pierces the heart” states that people perish due to lack of knowledge, so that won’t help either.

The late Dr Myles Munroe said the richest place on earth is the grave. A place where people died with their unwritten books, unpainted masterpiece, unsung songs and so forth. These people died with their contributions to their generations. Probably some died with unmade medicines that could have cured current diseases. He talked of dying empty having fulfilled what you were called to do.

When Jesus died on the cross He said: “it is finished”. He completed His purpose on earth and He did what he was called to do, heal the sick, preach and teach the gospel, resurrect the dead and so many other things. Point is He let His light shine for the glory of His Father. Being a Christian means we follow him (letting him live through us), we too have to let our light shine for God’s glory and fulfil our purpose, it is not a burden of unwanted pressure; it is satisfactory freedom that fills you with overwhelming peace and joy. Then when my light dims the words “well done good and faithful servant” is what I want to hear knowing I did my part like I was supposed to.

I hope you as the reader, seek God to find your purpose and that you let your light shine for me and the world to see.  Follow the path that God has set for you and don’t allow the distractions of the world to take your focus away from Him. If you have comments on this topic, please do feel free to share.