The greatest tragedy in life is not death but a life lived without purpose – Myles Munroe
Shaped By Problems and Passions
No experience is wasted upon reflection of purpose. All of your experiences are shaping you for your purpose in this season.
This is the first in a series of pep talks titled Shaped for Purpose. They are designed to help you to recognize your purpose and run to win. They will help you to connect the dots and see how God has been at work in your life, even when it seems as if He is not there.
If God is ordering your steps, there are no coincidences. No experience will be wasted and you will discover that everything is being used to shape you for His purpose. “Many are the plans of a person’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21).
My passion and problems have beautifully converged to produce purpose.
Cross-cultural missions has been my heartbeat from my teen years and in particular cross-cultural missions. The word “nations” sparks every time and learning has been my all-consuming passion. Am I not the scholar and educator in my maternal family? Am I not a third generation educator on my paternal family side (my grandaunt, grandmother and father)?
Nevertheless, there has always been one problem that has dogged both passions: finances. I struggled with finances in serving and schooling. It was sponsorships and scholarships that fostered my missional engagement and higher learning endeavors.
I have always wanted a solution to pay it forward and enable more people to do both well: engage in cross-cultural mission work and get higher education. Now, I have found an answer. Now, I know how to help others like me to serve and learn in freedom unhindered by financial concerns. As I reflect I recognize that my problems and passions have become my purpose. The solutions to my pain have become the outworking of that purpose and my unique giftings have become the means to fulfill my purpose.
Your Personal Reflection
You are called to serve people just like YOU. So, what are your passions, pains and problems? What are your solutions and unique gifting? Therein lies your purpose. Who are the people affected by your problems/ pain? Therein lies your target audience and people to serve. Your purpose is calling and it’s time to answer. Someone’s destiny is tied to your purpose, don’t keep them waiting!
