Seven Principles of Purpose
By Bruce Edwards
1. Designed
You have been designed by God. He is the creator and we are His creation. He is the potter and we are the clay. The first principle of purpose is understanding you have been designed for a purpose by God. There are no mistakes and no spare parts with God. He has designed each of us with a specific purpose.
2. Discovered
The second principle of purpose is to discover what God created you for. Your assignment is find the life you were born to live. Purpose must be discovered. God has created a race for you to run. Your gifts, abilities and passions will be keys to your purpose. Your purpose will always involve people and building the kingdom of God. Now discover your purpose and run your race to the finish.
3. Directed
Fulfilling your purpose requires being directed by God. He directs the steps of the righteous. He knows the beginning from the end. There is nothing hid from Him. Unless the Lord build the house they labor in vain. It is not our plan or our will that needs to be accomplished but His plan and His will for our lives. When we allow Him to direct us we are able to navigate the ocean of life avoiding the icebergs along the way and sailing through the storms to reach our destiny and accomplish our purpose.
4. Dependent
God is your source. He is Jehovah Jireh your provider. He has seen ahead and made provision for what is needed to fulfill your purpose. Instead of worrying about the necessities of life and becoming preoccupied with our needs God wants us to look to Him and be dependent on Him. Your life and purpose are important to Him and He is committed to take care of you.. Jesus taught us how to live dependent on God in the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 6:25-30).
5. Devoted
Life is not just about doing. Life is about being. Purpose requires you to be wholly devoted to God. You have be called and set apart for His purpose. What kind of a person are you? What are you becoming? Our actions are a reflection of what we believe and who we are. Character matters. It is foundational to successful living and living a life of purpose. God has called us to become more Jesus. Our character is to reflect the character qualities of Christ. If you are going to live a life of purpose be fully devoted!
6. Diligent
Purpose requires you be diligent in carrying out your assignment. God expects us to work. Even in the Garden of Eden, God assigned work to Adam. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). Work has always been part of God’s plan for mankind. Idleness and laziness are destructive to purpose. God wants us to work and He wants us to work wholeheartedly. God blesses what we put our hand to. You will have to be diligent in all you do to totally fulfill God’s purpose for your life.
7. Disciplined
Discipline determines destiny. Self discipline is where the rubber meets the road in truly living a life of purpose. Without discipline, the distractions of life become major roadblocks to fulfilling God‘s purpose for our life. As followers of Christ we must exercise self-control and restraint. We must keep the goal before us. (1 Cor. 9:23-27). Simply wanting to fulfill God’s will for our lives is not enough. It is discipline, not just desire, which determines your destiny.
Keeping God and His purpose as the priority in your life is critical in fulfilling purpose.
What is the center of your life? Career, money, your spouse, your children, a friend, your job, hobby, or some other thing. God tells us that this position is to be His and His alone. He is to be the center of your life. It takes a disciplined life to maintain the right priorities.
The Lord designed you for a special purpose, one that will satisfy you like no other. Don’t allow your natural desires to hinder your ability to reach His purpose for you. The sacrifices of a well-disciplined life are nothing in comparison to the rewards of fulfilling your God-given destiny.
Conclusion
You are Christ’s ambassador on assignment to this world. God wants you to be salt and light to a needy world. He wants you to bring people to Him as they observe your life and as you demonstrate His truth. God tells us our purpose for life is to please Him. As we live to please God, we will experience fulfillment as a by-product of pursuing His true purpose for life.
You are here to make a contribution through the life and the abilities God has given you. God has carefully planned what He wants you to accomplish in the lives of those He has placed in your path.. There are needs within the world and the body of Christ that you have been specifically designed and equipped to fulfill. You have a purpose. Apply these seven principles in your life to achieve your purpose
