Know Your Why

1. Discover Your Divine Purpose: Understanding Your "Why"

"What do you want?"

Your passions matter. God is genuinely interested in what makes you tick. He has uniquely crafted you with specific talents, dreams, and desires that fuel your divine calling. Understanding your "why" is crucial to living a fulfilled life and making a meaningful impact in the world.

Calling vs. identity. It's essential to distinguish between your identity and your destiny. Your identity is rooted in who you are in Christ – loved, known, and called by God. This forms the foundation from which you can step into your calling. Don't let your job or accomplishments define you; instead, let your secure identity in Christ propel you into your purpose.

Practical steps:

• Reflect on what brings you joy and energizes you
• Consider the needs you see in the world that align with your passions
• Seek wisdom through prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel
• Be open to God's guidance, even if it challenges your preconceptions

2. Engage with the World: Called to Make a Difference

"I am strengthening you in the world, for the world."

Kingdom impact. Christians are called to be "in the world, but not of it." This doesn't mean withdrawing from society, but actively engaging to bring God's light and love into every sphere of influence. Your workplace, relationships, and daily interactions are all opportunities to live out your calling and transform your environment.

Salt and light. Jesus calls us to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). This means preserving what is good, adding flavor to life, and illuminating darkness. Your calling isn't just about personal fulfillment; it's about making a positive impact on those around you and society as a whole.

Practical engagement:

• See your work as worship, regardless of your profession
• Look for ways to serve others and meet needs in your community
• Stand for justice and compassion in your sphere of influence
• Share your faith through both words and actions
• Seek to be a peacemaker and bridge-builder in divided spaces

3. Embrace Small Beginnings: The Power of Perseverance

"You have nothing there at all," she said, "except a small jar of olive oil."

Start where you are. God often uses small and seemingly insignificant beginnings to accomplish great things. Don't despise humble starts or wait for perfect conditions. Instead, faithfully steward what you have, trusting God to multiply your efforts.

The mustard seed principle. Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed – tiny at first, but growing into something substantial (Luke 13:19). Your calling may start small, but with consistent nurturing and faith, it can have a far-reaching impact beyond what you initially imagined.

Keys to growth:

• Identify and use the gifts and resources you currently possess
• Be willing to take small, consistent steps of obedience
• Celebrate progress, no matter how incremental
• Trust God's timing and ability to bring increase
• Look for opportunities to encourage and support others in their callings

4. Navigate Life's Seasons: The Art of Waiting and Preparing

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

Embrace the process. Life has seasons, and not every moment will feel productive in terms of your calling. Learn to value seasons of waiting and preparation as essential to your growth. God often uses these times to refine your character and equip you for future challenges.

Active waiting. Waiting doesn't mean being passive. Use times of uncertainty or transition to deepen your relationship with God, develop your skills, and prepare for future opportunities. Remember that even when you can't see visible progress, God is often doing His most important work beneath the surface.

Strategies for seasons of waiting:

• Maintain a consistent prayer and devotional life
• Seek personal growth through learning and skill development
• Serve faithfully in small ways, even if they seem unrelated to your ultimate calling
• Stay connected to supportive community
• Practice gratitude and contentment in the present moment

5. Make Wise Choices: Aligning Decisions with Your Calling

"God's will is whatever."

Freedom within boundaries. God gives us significant freedom in decision-making, working with us rather than dictating every move. The key is to make choices aligned with His character and the overall direction He's called you to, rather than seeking a predetermined "perfect" path.

Discernment process. When facing important decisions, it's helpful to have a structured approach. Consider the following steps: 1) Prayerfully consider options, 2) Seek wise counsel, 3) Clarify through reflection and analysis, 4) Have the courage to move forward, and 5) Rest in contentment, trusting God's sovereignty.

Practical decision-making tips:

• Regularly study Scripture to align your values with God's
• Cultivate relationships with mature believers who can offer guidance
• Pay attention to your conscience and the Holy Spirit's promptings
• Be willing to take calculated risks when you sense God's leading
• Learn from both successes and failures, trusting God's ability to redeem

6. Overcome Fear: Courage in Pursuing Your Purpose

"What fear bricks up, grace breaks up."

Confront your fears. Fear, especially the fear of failure, can be a significant barrier to fulfilling your calling. Recognize that God is bigger than your greatest failures and has the power to redeem even your mistakes. Courage isn't the absence of fear, but moving forward despite it.

God's perspective on failure. In God's eyes, stepping out in faith is always a success, regardless of the outcome. He values our willingness to trust Him more than flawless performance. Learn to see "failures" as opportunities for growth and redirection.

Strategies to overcome fear:

• Meditate on Scripture that affirms God's love and power
• Challenge negative self-talk and lies with God's truth
• Take small steps of faith to build confidence
• Share your struggles with trusted friends for support and prayer
• Celebrate courage, not just results
• Remember past instances of God's faithfulness

7. Stay Focused: Avoiding Distractions in Your Journey

"Do not go!"

Guard your calling. In a world full of options and constant stimulation, maintaining focus on your God-given purpose is crucial. Learn to say "no" to good things that may distract you from the best things God has for you.

Identify and eliminate distractions. Common distractions include comparison, digital overwhelm, perfectionism, and even well-meaning opportunities that don't align with your core calling. Regularly evaluate your commitments and priorities to ensure they support your purpose.

Practical focus-building habits:

• Create clear boundaries around technology use
• Practice regular periods of silence and solitude
• Develop a personal mission statement to guide decision-making
• Simplify your life and commitments where possible
• Cultivate deep work habits for increased productivity
• Regularly revisit and recommit to your core values and calling

8. Persevere Through Challenges: The Path to Character

"Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

Embrace the struggle. Challenges and setbacks are not just obstacles to your calling; they are often the very means by which God develops your character and equips you for greater impact. View difficulties as opportunities for growth rather than reasons to give up.

The refining process. Just as gold is purified through fire, your calling is often refined and clarified through trials. Perseverance builds resilience, deepens your dependence on God, and ultimately produces hope – a confident expectation of God's faithfulness.

Keys to perseverance:

• Maintain a long-term perspective on your calling
• Celebrate small victories along the way
• Learn from setbacks and adjust your approach when necessary
• Stay connected to supportive community for encouragement
• Regularly remind yourself of God's promises and past faithfulness
• Practice self-care to avoid burnout

9. Worship as a Lifestyle: Realigning with God's Will

"Worship is to calling what the air is to breathing: life-giving, essential, impossible to survive without."

Beyond Sunday mornings. Worship is not just singing songs at church; it's a lifestyle of surrendering every area of your life to God. Regular worship realigns your priorities, refreshes your spirit, and renews your sense of calling.

Transformation through adoration. As you focus on God's character and goodness, you become more like Him. Worship shifts your perspective from self-centered to God-centered, empowering you to live out your calling with greater clarity and passion.

Cultivating a lifestyle of worship:

• Start each day with a time of praise and thanksgiving
• Practice "breath prayers" throughout your day
• See your work as an act of worship
• Regularly participate in corporate worship with other believers
• Express creativity as a form of worship
• Serve others as an act of worship to God

10. Break Borders: The Holy Spirit's Empowering Presence

"Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."

Supernatural empowerment. The Holy Spirit is essential for living out your calling effectively. He provides wisdom, courage, and power beyond your natural abilities. Learn to rely on His presence and guidance in every aspect of your life and purpose.

Breaking limitations. The Holy Spirit often leads believers to break through cultural, personal, and societal barriers in pursuit of God's kingdom purposes. Be open to His promptings, even when they challenge your comfort zone or preconceptions.

Cultivating Holy Spirit dependence:

• Regularly ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit
• Practice listening prayer to discern His guidance
• Step out in faith when you sense His leading
• Seek and exercise spiritual gifts for the benefit of others
• Allow the Holy Spirit to develop His fruit in your character
• Expect God to work in and through you in supernatural ways

Last updated: October 17, 2024