Our purpose is one of the most important aspects of our lives; it shapes our existence giving us precise direction and focus. Without it, life is meaningless and hard to enjoy. Yet, some people are still searching for it, some have quit trying to find it, and others are pursing it with all their vigor and passion. I pray for all of us to move into the third category because that’s how we live a life that impacts others. Here are 5 things that your purpose will automatically decide once you start pursuing it:
1. Your Circle of Friends
Some people think that we pick our friends but truly your search for purpose or lack of searching chooses your friendships. If you know your purpose in life is to be a doctor who heals the sick, you’re not going to surround yourself with people who have no desire for higher education. Your purpose demands that you be around people that take their education seriously because becoming a doctor requires intense study and focus. However, if you don’t know your purpose, you will naturally find yourself around people with a lack of drive, ambition, and determination. Find your purpose and you will find purposeful friendships.
2. Your Habits
Once you know what you want to achieve in life, you will determine what habits you can and cannot develop. When I was in high school, I took time for granted and I would do things without being conscious of my time. I felt like time would always be there and there was no need to plan anything (boy, was I a fool). Now, I get upset when I wake up late. I’m irritated when someone wastes my time; I plan my time weeks and months in advance. Why? Because I understand my purpose and that God has given me a certain time period to accomplish His purpose through me. Therefore my habits reflect my purpose.
3. Your Mentors
When you discover your purpose, you’ll naturally find those whom God has called to direct you toward that purpose. If you don’t discover your purpose, those mentors won’t appear. I like the Japanese proverb that says” When the student is ready, the teacher will come.” The bible even says in Proverbs 1:5 “A wise [man] will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” Without an understanding of your purpose, you can’t expect to find the right mentors. Why? Because you will misuse the gifts that God has given you. Sometimes, God holds us back from meeting the people we are supposed to meet until we have wisdom to receive from them.
4. Your Motivation
Your purpose should be the one thing that gets you out of bed when nothing else can. It should consume your thoughts, inspire your actions, and ignite your passion. Your purpose should be the motive for doing what you do. For example, I’m motivated to inspire people through media and it’s on my mind when I wake up and on my mind when I go to sleep. You couldn’t pay me enough money to stop me from doing it and you can’t pay me enough money to keep doing it. It’s what I live to do! If you need help discovering your purpose read my article entitled “5 Ways to Discover Your Purpose and Vision”