The Impact of Living with Purpose
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose.” – Philippians 1:27a
Whether you realize it or not, you’re living with a purpose. Unfortunately, some people lack awareness of their purpose, and others live for a purpose too small or temporary to provide true meaning in life.
As a Christian, I believe that Jesus is the ultimate source of fulfillment for each person, and unless our purpose connects back to glorifying Jesus, we’ll ultimately be dissatisfied. At the same time, if we can develop a strong understanding of our unique purpose in life, we’ll position ourselves to make an impact that lives long after we’re gone.
While faith should play a critical role in your perception of your purpose, your unique passions and skills can also provide clues about your purpose. Perhaps you’ve always enjoyed painting or drawing, so you decide your purpose is to reflect the glory of God in creation by crafting breathtaking pieces of art that depict the beauty of nature.
Each person’s purpose is unique, and determining your purpose may take some time. However, it’s an important process to experience, especially because of the significant advantages of clarifying your purpose. Here are a few benefits that you’ll experience when you can clearly articulate your purpose – and when you’re committed to living from your sense of purpose each day:
- You can set strong goals for the future. We can be more reactive to instantaneous concerns and urgent tasks when we think short-term. When we look toward the future, it’s easier to plan based on what we want most.
- You know when to say “yes” and when to say “no.” If you’re living with a strong sense of your purpose, you can clearly decide what endeavors are worth your time and what opportunities are distractions.
- You can develop resilience in adversity. Living with purpose doesn’t mean that your life will be perfect, but it does mean that you’ll have an easier time staying focused and moving forward as you face challenges.
- You can surround yourself with people who have similar values. Since you often adopt the qualities and traits of the people around you, you can reinforce your purpose by forming relationships with people who share your values.
Ultimately, living out your purpose will give you a powerful sense of joy and the sense that you’re following God’s calling. You’ll be amazed to see how God can work when you take a step of obedience and pursue the purpose God has determined for your life.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1