Hey friend, grab your coffee, and let’s talk about something that’s been on my heart lately—discovering your purpose. It’s something we all wrestle with at some point, and I want to share three insights that might help you on this journey to know your purpose.
1. You Are Crafted for a Unique Purpose
Think about a beautifully made piece of furniture. Every curve and detail is carefully designed by the craftsman. You are just like that—God’s craftsmanship. As I wrote in Persevering Power, “You are God’s workmanship. He created you just the right color and character. He knows you in the same way a master craftsman knows his creation.” This means you’re not here by accident. You have a unique purpose that only you can fulfill. Isn’t that amazing? Embrace that idea and start seeing yourself as someone designed with intention and care.
I want to introduce you to my friend Lori Kim. Lori is a successful leader at Microsoft. We met over coffee. Lori is all about pursuing purpose by combining personal fulfillment with professional experience to align our lives around God’s purpose to serve and do good work. She says, “we need to be passionate, willing, and available to go all in for God.” I love Lori’s passion and encourage you to listen to her short video introducing Chapter 2 of Persevering Power: Know Your Purpose.
2. Look Up When You’re Lost
We’ve all had those moments where we feel completely lost. I remember driving to speak at a church one day, relying on my GPS, which suddenly stopped working. I had no clue where I was. In my frustration, I prayed, “Jesus, if you want me to deliver your message I need your help. I have no idea where I am but you do. This is impossible for me but nothing is impossible for you. Show me the way.” And you know what? I found my way to the church. It taught me that when we feel lost, instead of panicking, we need to look up and seek divine direction. Trust that Jesus knows the way, even when we don’t.
I met a new friend over coffee who I’ll call Joe. I was volunteering at one of our Gospel Justice Centers and we provide coffee when we welcome people to the church. Someone owed Joe $8,000, which was a LOT of money for him. He filed a small claims action but at court the judge told him he needed an alias summons. What was that? The words made no sense to Joe.
Sometimes I forget the words we know as lawyers that make sense to us but not to others. The person who owed Joe money had not received notice of the suit and a second attempt at finding her needed to happen. We created the forms, coached him through where and how to present, and invited him to return with other questions. After Joe met with me, he was hopeful. He marveled at the team that was serving him and so many others that morning. When Joe sat with a client advocate, he gladly entered a conversation about the church, the team, and why they served – Jesus. Joe learned how much Jesus loved him and prayed to accept him as Savior.
Joe found his purpose. To know he is loved by a God who has a purpose for him when he accepts his invitation to turn from our way and follow him into the family business.
3. Join the Family Business
You know how some families run businesses together? Well, discovering your purpose is a bit like joining a family business—the business of advancing God’s kingdom. As I wrote in Persevering Power, “You were created with purpose and that purpose was to worship through work. The Hebrew word for work is avodah. Avodah means work but it also means worship and service.” Your daily work, whatever it is, can be an act of worship and service. It’s about seeing your work as part of something bigger, a way to contribute to God’s greater plan.
So, as we sip our coffee, remember these three things: You are uniquely crafted, you can find direction by looking up, and your work is part of a larger mission. Embrace these truths, and you’ll find that your purpose is more meaningful and fulfilling than you ever imagined. Let’s stay in touch – jump on my website for ongoing encouragement. And as you go listen in as we discuss the book, Persevering Power, on the podcast, Restore Justice.
