By Idelette McVicker
I truly believe we have all been uniquely created for a specific purpose.
Our Creator says: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV)
Although we are called apart for a purpose, I have seen much confusion around the concepts of purpose, destiny, mission and calling. In fact, they say that only about two percent of the people in the world know what they’re supposed to be doing. Even now, when I ask how many people know what they’re truly about on this earth, there are only a few hands. This is no coincidence.
I remember my own journey. (You can read more about that in Finding Purpose). It took me a while to come to a place of clarity. Since then, for the past ten years, I’ve worked with individuals and groups to identify their personal mission and vision statements. There are few moments in life that can compare to seeing an individual break through to that clear place where she can say in one sentence what her life is truly about. It’s a beautiful “a-ha” moment and it is holy ground.
Now I know that when we understand who we are and what we are meant to do, we are powerful beyond belief. At that point we become co-creators with God in establishing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
No wonder there is confusion.
Once we understand our purpose, however, we are challenged to enter a new phase. We need to define a context for living out our purpose. Writing a vision statement is one of the most powerful and meaningful ways I have found to do so. At first I encouraged individuals to simply look within themselves and identify the details of the landscape in which they would like to live. But over time I became increasingly dissatisfied with the outcome. Time and again I heard the ideals of a perfect life that looked something like a mansion overlooking the ocean, sipping a morning coffee and wearing the perfect size jeans.
Sometimes I wanted to cry out, What about our world and its needs?
It set me out on a quest of sorts, looking for a key to help us see our purpose and destiny in the greater context of God’s Kingdom, and not just our desires for a beautiful life. I know it’s good to identify how we want to live our lives—what the landscape of our lives should look like—but as I look around at our world and the needs that are crying out for justice and mercy, I know we are called to something even greater, something even more significant than our personal ideals of a perfect life.
Recently I read the book For This Cause, by Hillsong Church Pastor Brian Houston. This connected the dots for me. Our purpose really only is a Divine purpose when it fits into the greater Cause of building God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
I find that the Cause of the Kingdom unites us across denominations, gender, culture and generation. We are all called to use our talents and abilities as part of God’s greater purposes. This is where our life makes the most sense.
Our individual purposes find a home and a context within this greater Cause of God.
One of my favourite quotes on purpose is by Gil Bailie. He says, “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
I find, however, that when we apply those things that make us come alive to the greater Cause, life shifts to a whole new level. We begin to experience the Kingdom of God in an even greater measure, because it is no longer about self as much as it is about a greater good.
I believe that the abundant life—the life that is truly Life—has to do with finding our own rhythm and voice in the symphony of Heaven.
It’s not about my voice, so much as it is about the greater Music. We are all called to play our part. We need to pick up our instruments and make music with our lives. That music will point to the Father and His glory.
Author and pastor Brian McLaren talks about the “recruiting of revolutionaries who seek the good and healing will of heaven to earth in all its crises.” Isn’t that what our lives should truly be about?
We live in such a privileged generation. It cries for a greater outpouring of selfless devotion to the greater Cause, the cause of the Kingdom. Ironically, when we move away from purely fulfilling our own desires and connect with the purposes of heaven, we find even more than deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We encounter significance.
About Idelette:
Idelette McVicker is the founder and editor of www.globalgirlnetwork.com. These days when she’s not running after their two toddlers, she volunteers with Linwood House Ministries. You can find her blog at www.idelette.com.
Where are you now? I evidentily arrived to an old site so I am not sure if this is still a going site.
Rosie