Finding My Purpose...Did I Lose It?
Over many years in ministry, I can’t count how many times I’ve been asked this question, “What is my purpose?” or, “How do I find my purpose?” Maybe as you're reading this, you're asking yourself the same question. If so, you're in good company! I have struggled with this same question too.
Story time. 20 years in the past….I was working as a Jo Davies County Deputy Sherrif in Illinois (don’t worry I’m retired now). I was dispatched by the Sheriff’s Office to, what was described as, ”a horse in the middle of the roadway.” Mind you, it’s 4:30 in the morning, it’s still dark, and I know nothing about horses. Zero. Zilch.
When I arrived, I parked my squad car to block traffic, turned on my emergency lights (so this monstrosity of a horse doesn’t become glue) and approached very slowly. Then I did what every non-horse person did that watched old cowboy shows, I gave him a name…”Hello Mr. Ed!”
Mr. Ed had no saddle, just a bridle thingy in his mouth and around his head. I told Mr. Ed to get out of the street and started pulling on his bridle. Mr. Ed had the emergency brake on and refused to comply.
I remembered my training from Gunsmoke and Bonanza (great old western t.v. shows by the way). I began making a clicking noise with my mouth. Mr. Ed then released the emergency brake and started walking with me back to the property while I called his name.
Mr. Ed and I had great a conversation. We discussed which pen he was supposed to be in, that he is a good horse, and that he shouldn’t wander off into the roadway.
Let’s cut to the chase…
The home owner came out of the house and took Mr. Ed back to his pen. I tried to radio back to dispatch that Mr. Ed was returned safely back to his horse home.
For some reason, dispatch didn’t respond. I tried again - no luck.
I walked back to my squad car and called dispatch on my phone. When the dispatcher answered, all I heard was squeaking laughter…he couldn’t even talk. I asked him, “What’s so funny? Why didn’t you answer me on the radio”?
Between laughter and grasping for breath, he told me that he couldn’t answer because the button on my radio had been stuck open. He heard my whole conversation with Mr. Ed! And so did everyone else listening to that channel.
About this time, my cell phone rang. It was my worship leader from the church I was pastoring. She told me that she was listening to the police scanner at home and that she too heard my conversation with Mr. Ed. That’s when I heard these words… “Pastor, your purpose isn’t to be out rangling horses, it’s to be leading and helping people!”
That’s when it hit me, my purpose is about people, not about me.
In Pastor Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life (a N.Y. times best seller), his very first sentence in Chapter 1 says…”It’s not about you.” Alright y’all, put your seat belts on and let’s “church it up”. Here we go.
Our purpose isn’t what we do, or what we accomplish.
Our purpose isn’t even about the position we want to have, or even the amount of money we make. All these things are temporary and short-term fulfillment. Remember what Pastor Warren said, “It’s not about you” or me. So, what is our Purpose about? Thanks for asking.
Our purpose is about Who created us.
We were created by God and for God. Evidence of this is found in the first book of the Bible found in Genesis in the “Creation Story”. The Bible illustrates this same purpose throughout its 66 books. We were created out of relationship, for relationship, with each other and with HIM.
You might be asking, “What does a relationship with our creator look like”? It’s by making God first in your life. HE wants to be first in all aspects of your life…your faith, marriage, kids, work, and even in your finances. I made that choice years ago by having a simple conversation (prayer) to HIM. If you are considering making God first in your life, let’s have a conversation, or contact your Chaplain or Pastor. We would love to discuss that with you.
Your next step is to switch your “Stink’n Think’n”
When you are living with purpose, your focus is on God and how HE can use you for others. Do you remember how you felt when someone noticed you? Or how you felt when you were acknowledged and encouraged?
Be what you desire.
I love encouragement. It drives me, fills my tank, helps me change my perspective. It’s like a boomerang. You encourage others, therefore, I am encouraged. You guessed it, I’m an encourager.
Story Time Again. My number three son (we number our kids because we can’t remember their names, haha) learned a valueable life tool at the age of four, when he was in kids ministry. It was scripture verse he was taught:
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (paraphrased by me) “Encourage one another and give each other strength”.
It came with hand motions, which was so cute. So, when son #1 & #2 were chasing him around the house, (with hand motions while fleeing) #3 would yell this verse while running to his Mom and me. We all need encouragement!
People have the desire to be needed and known.
There are people that need you and you need people. Read that again…people need you and you need them. That’s what we were created for…our purpose! There are people that you lead, people who lead you, and people that you are around you. Let me answer the question you are thinking about, “How do we do it, Todd?” Here are some ideas:
Send an encouraging text to a co-worker pointing out how they are making a difference.
Send a card or note to someone who might be going through rough times or suffered a loss.
Tell someone that you work for or work for you that they are appreciated and are doing a great job. Thank them.
Check in with someone and ask them how their family is doing.
I ask folks all the time, “What keeps you awake at night and you worry about in the morning, that I can pray for?” And when they tell you, pray for them right there!
“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
Leaders, check in with your Team Members (not just with your direct reports but people under you). People will work harder for you because you care. Team Members, check on the people around you while on break. Check and encourage your family and friends. What if God has intentionally placed these people in your life on purpose?
Let me close with this last story. A few years ago, I was leading a group of missionaries in Manaus, Brazil. Our pastor, Pastor Fransisco, prayed over me and my wife and said something I will never forget, “Everything you do, do with purpose. Pray to God to be used by HIM every day. Be a leaf in God’s hand. Allow HIM to blow you from one person to another so you can make a difference in their life.”
You are here, on purpose for a purpose! Be a leaf!
A pencil sketch I received from a missionary friend.