Read: Ephesians 2:1-10
HEAR JESUS
How well can you finish these sentences?
By God’s will, I exist to…
By God’s will, we exist to…
Not an adjacent road
I’ve had in my heart for a long time (over two decades long time) to do what I’m doing now. I felt like God designed me for it. But I haven’t fully walked in it. I’ve walked adjacent roads, but not this specific road.
Purpose is your God-given reason for living. Paul thought his purpose was to help God out and eradicate these pests who were proclaiming Jesus was the Messiah.
But God…
Knocked him off his donkey, onto his donkey and told him his Purpose was to take the message to the Gentiles & kings and to suffer for His name.
Look at Ephesians 2:4 again. See that “But”? See how huge it is? This only proves one thing…
Paul…and God…like big buts.
At one time, your reason for existing was to carry out the desires of your mind and body. For Paul, his flesh was his religion. I’ve carried out these desires too (well…not to Paul’s extreme!). I’ve also carried out the desires of my flesh apart from religion. But God did a work through faith that only He can do. He makes us alive in Christ and raises us up to seat us in Heaven. The same work with the same power He used to raise Christ from the dead and seat Him at His right hand.
You weren’t meant to just go to church on the weekend or rely on ministry as the Life in your soul.
God is your Creator. And His plan is for you to live out the Purpose He created you for before sin ever entered the world.
God is shaping you with Identity.
God is filling you with Vision.
God is sending you on a Mission.
Your Heavenly Father designed you to live without sin. Yeah, that’s not your story. And that’s why Paul writes this to the Ephesians. Sinlessness was not a part of their story either. But He wants them to know He wrote their story before the foundation of the earth.
Do you know how He designed you and what work He has for you?
Not an adjacent road.
Not a religious road.
But the road He prepared you to walk.
Hearing & Following Jesus is about walking this road by faith the best you know today. Then tomorrow, you get the chance to do it all over again. While I do have a sense of mourning over walking adjacent roads prior to now, God is using all of it now. Same with the parts of my story I fully regret. And God is doing the same with your story.
One of my pillars of Vision is for everyone in the world to discover and live out their God-given Purpose.
You are vital in advancing God’s Kingdom in your life, your work and your leadership. God designed you exactly how He wants you to be. He’s put you right where He wants you to be. And He’s using you exactly how He wants to.
Now your one job is to Hear & Follow Him to continuously discover how to walk in the good work He’s designed you for.
Impossible Prayer
God, what is Your Purpose for my life, and how do You want me to walk in it?
FOLLOW JESUS
Leadership Challenge
Finish the sentence…
By God’s will, I exist to…
Multiply Yourself
Take it a step further…
By God’s will, we exist to…
We could be a family, team, organization or church. Any group (2 or more) of people you lead.
Engagement in the “we” goes up when the “we” knows where the collective is going. Gallup’s research backs this up.
Help your “we” this week see a picture of why the “we” exists. A story of someone helped. How your family impacted others. How your team helps your whole organization.
Then take it to the individual. Tell them, or write them a note, on how their work helps the Purpose of the “we.”
This Week
Passage: Ephesians 2:1-10
Hear: If you have no other plan, read it once a day. What does verse 10 say about you that your resume doesn’t?
Follow: Finish the sentence, “By God’s will, I exist to…”
Multiply: Tell one person or group how their work serves the “we.”
Next Monday: Every person experiences leaders who help those around them thrive (Psalm 72).
The Purpose Course Pre-Launch
If this week’s Huddle caused you to want clarity around “By God’s will, I exist to…”, The Purpose Course is where you take it. It helps faith-filled leaders push back on the mediocrity that comes from going through the motions of a job without knowing God’s reason for their existence. Start the new year by reviving your Purpose and reigniting your passion. Pre-launch pricing is $50 through January 3.