Your Life Purpose

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven NKJV

Do you have a purpose for doing what you are doing? You go to your job, or you interact with your family, or you live on the streets. All things have a purpose, and as we read here, the world believes that if there is a purpose for everything that we do, and if we truly study that purpose and have it firmly fixated upon, we will succeed.

“Nothing contributes so much to tranquilizing the mind as a steady purpose – a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye.”
? Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

The most successful businesspeople genuinely care about what they're doing. They wake up in the morning looking forward to the day ahead. They take great interest in every aspect of the business, because they view it as an extension of themselves. They have a sense of fulfillment that sees them through the tough times and makes the good times that much sweeter.

And then there are those who are just going through the motions. They halfheartedly trudge through their to-do lists each day. They look to the bottom line to tell them how they should feel about the company. And when things aren't so great, they are quick to start looking at other options.

What does the first group have that the second is lacking? Frequently, it's a sense of purpose.

Everything we do has a purpose. We breathe so that our bodies get the oxygen that they need to live. We pay the bills so that we may have a place to live, a car to drive, electricity and so on. We sit down in front of the television to be entertained.

The question is, why do you get up and go to work in the morning? For those who work for others, the answer is often quite simple: “To make money.”

But for entrepreneurs, it has to be more than that. Starting and running a business is hard work, and if it were all about the money, working for someone else would be a much easier way to earn a living. There's got to be something driving you to take the risks associated with going it on your own. If there isn't, it's hard to justify the time and effort invested in the beginning.

No one's saying that earning a living, or even getting rich, can't be a part of your purpose. Of course it can. But if that's your entire purpose, how fulfilled are you going to be when it's all said and done? And, perhaps even more importantly, how are you going to motivate yourself along the way? Every business experiences an economic downturn on occasion, so if you don't have some purpose other than money, you'll be hard pressed to find a reason to keep going when the money is not coming in.

Freedom as a Purpose

“Self-reliance is the only road to true freedom, and being one's own person is its ultimate reward.”
? Patricia Sampson

Aside from the moneymaking potential, one of the top personal reasons that people become entrepreneurs is because they want freedom from the 9-to-5 grind. They want to be able to set their own schedules, to spend more time with the important people in their lives, and to play golf whenever the urge strikes.

Freedom is a powerful motivator for those who dance to the beat of a different drum. Instead of trying to conform to someone else's idea of how they should do business, they can do things the way they see fit. They make the rules, for better or worse.

Freedom is something that we all desire to some degree. For the most independent of entrepreneurs, it may be what drives us to keep going in the face of adversity. But once you've obtained that freedom that you so desire, then what?

The point is that as wonderful as freedom and money are, they do not serve well as long-term purposes in business. Imagine yourself many years down the road, looking back at your life. Will you feel like it was worthwhile because you made lots of money and were able to take a day off on a whim? Or will you find yourself wondering just what the point of it all was?

A Meaningful Purpose

“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
? Helen Keller

When it comes to your business, its purpose is its reason for existence. Part of that reason may very well be to provide you with money and freedom. But those things can be obtained in an infinite number of ways. So why did you choose to start the specific business that you're running?

Perhaps you wanted to make a living doing something you love. Few people would rather spend their days slaving away at something they hate than make a living doing something that they would gladly do without pay. If you've got that entrepreneurial spirit, it's entirely possible to turn a hobby or interest into a business. Those who choose to do so tend to have have all the drive they need to succeed, and many stay in the same business until they retire.

Or maybe you started your business to help others in one way or another. You don't necessarily have to run a non-profit organization to do so. Many Internet marketers get into the game because they want to share their knowledge with others. They make a profit by doing so, but they're still providing a valuable service that they can feel good about.

Whatever your business's purpose may be, it must mean something to you. If it doesn't, you will eventually lose interest. If you're a serial entrepreneur at heart that may not be a big deal, because you can just sell out and move on to your next project. But if you want to be in it for the long haul, a purpose that you can stand by is essential.

If you haven't really considered your business's purpose, take some time to do so. Even if it's a business that you inherited or bought from someone else, you need to define a purpose in it that is meaningful to you. Doing so will give you a reason to keep going when the going gets tough, and will give you even more reason to celebrate your successes.

Jeremy Gislason is an entrepreneur, online business owner and marketer. He is also a philanthropist with over 12 years of offline and online business experience. He owns the website http://www.mindmaptoriches.com where he helps to create sustainable income online through law of attraction.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/whats-your-purpose-976158.html



So some words to meditate upon, and a song to listen to, and the Bible has the last word on the matter:

Ecclesiastes 4:13,14 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment,including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. NIV

Kim Clement: Be In Your Element! Discover Your Purpose and Destiny

Today, after a week of resurrection reflection, we turn to discover, with this word from Kim Clement. Use this newest article by Kim to reflect on your past and discover how you have been on the road to your destiny.

"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith...Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:3, 6-8

Kim Clement: Element is used to describe the place where things we love to do and things we are good at come together. Each one of us must find our element. Have you ever heard the saying, "He is in his element"? It's that place where everything you do well and beautifully is enhanced and expressed without hindrance because of the perfect environment you're in. Water is the element of fish for instance. You've also possibly heard the saying, "He's like a fish out of water." Well, that simply means you are "out of your element." Many people suffer unnecessarily because they are forced to operate out of their element, and when this happens there is a pressure on them to be something that they're not.

This is one huge positive in terms of a prophetic gift. My belief is that a prophetic voice places a person in their element by releasing a word to them, that, in turn, forces them to seek an environment conducive or favorable for their gift. My goal and aspiration in life is to create environments for all whom I am privileged to be in contact with—where each one of them is inspired to grow creatively.

King David was in his element in the wild, on the hills and mountains with his harp in one hand and his sling in the other. He was chosen as king, but the environment that was afforded him was not favorable for his existence. Once he got into the polished, marble and gold palace, he felt like a fish out of water. He ended up with another man's wife and killing his best friend.

Eventually, King David built a mountain, a rough mountain, and called it Zion. On that mountain he placed a tent, and in the tent, the Ark of the Covenant. He called this place, "The City of David." He created an environment where he was inspired and "at home." He was in his element. People need to have the chance to do what they should be doing and to discover their element in their own way.

What is Your Purpose? What is Your Destiny?

The fact is that there is a difference between your purpose and your destiny. Your destiny is your ultimate election. Your purpose is your present call. What did God choose you to do ultimately on this earth? What is your ultimate election? What were you elected to do before you were born? That's what your destiny is. What is your purpose? Your purpose is whatever you are called to do right now at this very moment.

Again, let me mention King David. David was one of those guys that was in his element when he was in the field, with his harp and with his slingshot, when he was killing bears and lions and singing songs to God. One day the prophet Samuel came to him and said, "You are anointed to be the King of Israel." And from that point onward, destiny was released in David. David already had an election before he was born, but destiny was released. It was stagnant until the prophetic word came to David.

The same applies to you—there is something inside of you that has not yet been unlocked. There is a destiny inside of you that you don't even know about, that you were elected for long before you were born, and suddenly, the Spirit breathes on you and immediately that destiny inside of you is released, it's unlocked, and you suddenly become more aware of it.

Once Samuel had prophesied and laid his hands upon David and said, "You are the King of Israel," did David become the king immediately? No, not according to the Scriptures—it tells us that it took years until David was finally crowned as the King of Judah, and then later the King of Israel. This is important for you to realize—David lived according to his destiny while he was serving his purpose. Destiny is what you are ultimately called to perform in this life. Your purpose is what you are called to perform while progressing to your destiny.

First of all, David is elected and anointed to be the King of Israel, the King of Zion. But he is a young man. He goes out into the fields and one day he hears the sound of a giant that is challenging the people of Israel. Suddenly, something rises in David and he becomes enraged and boldness rises inside of him. His destined authority takes over and he begins to say things that he never dreamed he would say as a shepherd and psalmist. David begins to speak to the people and says, "Give me this uncircumcised Philistine, I'll take him down!"

This boldness provokes anger and jealousy amongst his brothers. His brothers say, "What are you doing here? You are supposed to be in the field looking after our Dad's sheep." They get provoked to jealousy, because sometimes that's what happens when the authority of God comes upon you when you have a destiny. So David says, "I want to have a chance to fight this giant."

You know this story. He prophesies to Goliath and tells him exactly what he's going to do with him in the name of the Lord of Hosts, and it happens! From that point onward, David's call or purpose is to be an armor bearer for King Saul. You may think, "He was anointed to be the King of Israel!" Well that's right, but you've got to understand that he has to serve a purpose before he takes the throne in his ultimate election.

What Are You Called to Do Right Now?

What is your call? What is your purpose? What are you called to do right now? David was called to be an armor bearer and psalmist-musician for King Saul; that was his temporary purpose. Your purpose is always temporary, always changing, but always promoting your destiny. Your present purpose is never permanent. It's important for you to understand that. What you are doing right now may only be for a specific time because God is leading you to your destiny. But if you don't fulfill your call, you may never get to your destiny.

What was David's "call" after that? David's call after that was to run into the wild and live there in exile. King Saul became jealous of David and chased after him, attempting to kill the anointing that he felt belonged to him. David's call, or his purpose, was to be in the field, in the mountains and the hills. Yet even though he was in a place of confinement, he was fulfilling a call and a purpose.

Joseph was anointed and had a dream of kingship. His brothers became jealous of him and were provoked to anger. Why? Because Joseph opened his mouth and spoke with boldness and said, "This is what I dreamed." You see, that boldness comes upon you only when you have been released into your destiny. Once you've been released into your destiny, you may not even realize it, but you are speaking out something that is already in existence. Many other people will be angry with you and upset.

After they sold Joseph as a slave, he was "called" to be in Potiphar's home. Joseph was then placed into prison, and even though he was in solitary confinement, he had a purpose. His purpose was to minister to the butler, to the baker and to the prisoners, and he did it! The Bible says that Joseph prospered in prison. You can prosper in any kind of confinement IF you realize that this is your purpose, and this purpose is leading you to your ultimate election.

You don't have to be confined by bars. You don't have to be confined by the words of people. You don't have to be confined by hatred, jealousy or competition. No matter where they place you, you will still prosper because your destiny dictates your present circumstances. Many of you don't realize that if you keep your eye on your destiny and you fulfill your present purpose—which is whatever you are called to do, whether mopping floors somewhere or working a menial job—YOU WILL BE HAPPY WHILE ON YOUR JOURNEY TO YOUR POSITION IN LIFE.

2 Peter 1:10: "Therefore brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and your election sure. For if you do these things you will not stumble."

When you are sure of your call and you are sure of your election, you will never stumble. The word "stumble" there doesn't mean that you're not going to sin and you're not going to make a mistake. It just means that you may fall down, you may make a mistake, but you will ultimately rise up and you will get back on track because YOUR CALL AND YOUR DESTINY WILL RESTORE YOU.

Your Call is Your Purpose in 2009

Now I'm going to rephrase this because I want you to be in your element. I want you to be at the place where you are doing what you enjoy doing and you are doing what you do well, so that you are not like a fish out of water. Remember, there's a difference between your call and your election. Your call is your purpose in 2009. What is your purpose in 2009?

"Well, I'm called to be a radio announcer. Well, I'm called at this time to be a janitor, but I know that one day I'm going to be a multi-millionaire. I'm going to be a great salesman; an entrepreneur." Make sure of what your call is, and make sure of your election. What's amazing in 2 Peter 1:10-11, "...if you do this...(if you know what your election is and if you know what your call is) an entrance will be supplied for you in the everlasting Kingdom..." What does this mean?

Everybody wants to enter the Kingdom. I'm not talking about going to Heaven. Entering the Kingdom of God means being effective, powerful, influential and affluent in every way on this Earth for the purpose of God. Peter says that, "You have an entrance into the everlasting Kingdom." The Kingdom of God is the rulership of God and we have to enter that. And he is also saying, "If you know what your calling is, if you know what your election is, there will be a door open to you into the everlasting Kingdom."

Why was David able to sing in Psalm 57:7, "My heart is fixed oh God, my heart is fixed: I WILL sing praise" while he was in a cave? What gave him this boldness? He was hated by an entire army. King Saul was looking to kill him. He had a few men around him that weren't even trustworthy. He had no reason, while in a cave under miserable circumstances and conditions, to say, "My heart is fixed." He knew what his purpose was, he knew what his election was and so he sang to God, "My heart is fixed and I will sing praises."

If someone can say "My heart is stable, I'm not insecure, and I'm going to sing praises," then even if that person was in prison or in debt or whatever, that person has security, NOT in his circumstances, NOT in the things that are happening around him, but he is confident in this one thing: "He that has called me is faithful and He will do it." David knew he was the King of Israel. He was dumped in a miserable cave, chased by an army, but he lifted up his voice and he said, "My heart is steady, my heart is secure, and I WILL sing praise!" And he did it. He sang praise and the result was that he ended up being the King of Israel.

When Are You in Your Element?

When God breathes on somebody and speaks, He places that person in their element, which in turn forces them to seek an environment conducive or favorable for their gift. When God speaks to you and shows you what you are going to do one day, what ultimately happens then is the enemy of your soul tries to create an environment to stifle your creativity. He tries to create a religious environment to stifle your gift so it won't be effective and what that does is it forces you to find and create an environment where you can be most effective.

You have to seek and create an environment where you are in your element, where you are operating at your best, your finest, being your sharpest. You have the ability to create that environment.

I have found that if you can operate your gift, like David did in a cave and like Joseph did in prison, then you've learned to create an environment that brings the best out of you under the most difficult circumstances and one day when things are more favorable, you will perform perfectly. That's what God wants from you. Don't ever think that you are going to be stuck in this rut forever. Start searching and saying, "What do I need to do to be most effective?" and then create the environment that will bring the best out of you. Go!

Kim Clement
Prophetic Image Expressions
Email: hope@kimclement.com

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