and the wisdom to manifest it
Everyone has a mission to discover; not to invent – Viktor Frankl.
Purpose has been defined as God’s original intent and desire for a person’s life (Isaiah 46:10; 55:11). Our God-given purpose thus reveals the reason for our being, our life assignment and destiny! Therefore, discovering your purpose, among other benefits, gives you direction in life and clarifies your significant roles. Besides, it gives meaning and fulfillment to your life.
Viktor Frankl, a physician and celebrated survivor of the holocaust, was right in stating that everyone has “a mission to discover; not to invent.” We can only discover our purpose because it is God’s original intent and desire. Our purpose is the work “God prepared in advanced for us to do” – Ephesians 2:10. That is why your job cannot be your purpose because your job is not your work. It is said that your job is what you’re paid to do but your work is what your are called to do. Your purpose is thus your specific calling. It is worth noting, however, that your job can be your work. This conclusion must however be based on proven discovery. Besides, if the motivation behind your job is not monetary or material rewards and you are committed to it, then there is a high possibility that that job is also your work.
Jesus discovered and fulfilled his purpose on earth. He discovered it from the Isaiah 60:1-2, ‘The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”” – Luke 4:17-19(NIV). This reveals that the Bible is the primary means of discovering your purpose. The Bible is the acid test for verifying the originality of your discovered God-given purpose. This means that although you may discover your purpose through prayer, godly counsel, dreams, visions, prophecies, angelic visitation, audible voice or your shape; your discovered purpose must be consistent with God’s Word. Any so-called purpose that is inconsistent with God’s Word was not discovered but invented. But invented purpose is no purpose because it is both deceptive and speculative!
Discovering your God-given purpose is not enough; you need divine wisdom to manifest it. It has been said that the day you discover your purpose you discover your enemies, true! The day Joseph (Genesis 37) and Jesus (Luke 4:21-37) publicly announced their purpose their enemies were annoyed and sought to eliminate them. How people respond to your purpose reveal whether they are your enemies or helpers. However, you need both your enemies and helpers to fulfill your purpose. That is why you need divine wisdom to relate with them. Divine wisdom will give you strength and power (Proverbs 24:3-6 & Isaiah 40:28-31) to fulfill your purpose despite your enemies. God liberally gives divine wisdom to those who ask it (James 1:5; 3:17) for the purpose of fulfilling their discovered God-given purpose (1Kings 3:5-10). For example, God granted King Solomon’s request for divine wisdom because Solomon needed it as a leader and also to administer justice. It is worth noting that divine wisdom will always be tested (1Kings 3:23-28).
Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Wisdom Thoughts.
Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com
Blog: Richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com
