By Gbenga Emiloju
INTRODUCTION
A lot of people missed their God-given purposes just because they began at the wrong starting points, perhaps, centered their focus on themselves trying to figure out the essence of their existence.
When it comes to true meaning of a God-given purpose, no amount of knowledge or human philosophy can really interpret the meaning according to God’s original intention.
The best way and the only way to understand an invention is to ask the inventor. Same goes with our God-given purposes on earth; It all starts with God
WHAT IS A PURPOSEFUL LIVING?
• It is a journey into self-discovery
• It is having a sense of direction
• Setting and achieving clears goals/dreams
• Aligning actions with goals/dreams
• Ability to make positive impact
• Prioritizing time, energy and resources
• Living out your true potentials
7 REASONS WHY YOU MUST FULFILL YOUR PURPOSE
Because it is your (own) Purpose
To solve personal and societal problems
No excuse is tenable for Purpose failure
If you don’t fulfill your Purpose, your destiny will be aborted
Because the world awaits the manifestation of your Purpose
Because some people’s destinies depend on your Purpose
You will give the account of your stewardship to your maker
2 TYPES OF PURPOSE
Ultimate Purpose: A man’s ultimate Purpose is the major reason he/she was created by God. (Jer. 1:15) It is the divine mandate placed upon each and every one by God according to His own personal will. (Eph. 1:11)
Subordinate Purposes: These are all other supportive purposes that are incidental to human existence, such as; career, academics, marriage, personal goals and other accomplishments. (Phil. 3:7-8)
7 WAYS TO DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE
Seek the face of God through divine revelation
Pay attention to your passion and areas of interest
Embrace comments and honest opinions of people around you
Discover/develop/maximize your talents and special abilities
Be willing, ready and available to render voluntary services
Be curious and seek right knowledge
Solve personal and society problems
6 STAGES OF PURPOSE FULFILLMENT
Discovery Stage: At the point of realizing your purpose of living
Articulating Stage: Expressing yourself readily, clearly and effectively on the purpose
Struggling Stage: Facing difficulties/challenges associated with the purpose
Actualization Stage: When your purpose begins to take shape
Manifestation Stage: When your impact is seen and known
Fulfillment Stage: At the extraction point when your purpose has been accomplished.
DIMENSIONS OF CAPACITY BUILDING FOR PURPOSE FULFILLMENT
I. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION/CERTIFICATION
1. Quality and Sound Education
2. Choosing Relevant Courses/Career Path
3. Become an expert in your chosen field
II. SKILLS ACQUISITION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PURSUIT
1. Identify Relevant Skills or Profitable Business Ideas
2. Enroll to acquire skill/experience needed to kick start
3. Keep developing yourself till you reach full potential
III. TALENT DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT
1. Discover your inborn and special abilities
2. Develop and maximize them consistently
3. Constantly place a demand on it
7 CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS THAT ENHANCE PURPOSE FULFILLMENT
Appreciate your gifts, talents and special abilities
Capacity building through self-development
Be a go-getter – set relevant and meaningful goals
Cultivate strategic and purposeful relationships
Take advantage of every emerging opportunity
Embrace counselling through mentorship
Pray for the grace of God
3 TESTS OF PURPOSE FULFILLMENT
1. Your Purpose Must Give Glory To God:
Your life’s purpose must give glory to God. Whatever you do that does not give glory to God is a wrong Purpose.
2. Your Purpose Must Add Value To Others:
Your life’s purpose must produce good and positive impacts. Anything you do that does not add values to other people is not a God-given Purpose.
3. Your Purpose Must Make You A Better Person:
Your life’s purpose must transform your life. Anything you do that does not make you a better person is not helping you to fulfill purpose.
THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO YOUR LIFE’ PURPOSE
Purpose can be fulfilled
Purpose can be helped
Purpose can be aborted
Purpose can be delayed
Purpose can be reversed
Purpose can be transferred
Purpose can be exchanged
Purpose can be manipulated
Purpose can be fast-tracked
IMPEDIMENTS TO PURPOSE FULFILLMENT
Lack of Self-Discovery
Wrong Association
Inverted Priorities
Distractions
Negative Addictions
Wrong Environment
Lack of Support System
Sin and Disobedience
Unhealthy Comparison
Fear of Failure
Excuses
BENEFITS OF PURPOSE FULFILLMENT
Purpose Fulfillment:
Simplifies and adds value to our lives
Gives meaning and direction to our lives
Helps us to live a focused and undistracted life
Brings satisfaction and personal fulfillment to our lives
Enables an impactful life and a strong finishing
Brings significance and honour to our names and persons
Motivates and encourages us and others to do more
Qualifies us to make heaven and have eternal rewards
.
CONCLUSION
“It is in your moment of decision that your Purpose is shaped” – Tony Robbins. What is the starting point of purpose fulfillment? DECISION. Until a person decides to accept Jesus as his/her personal Lord and Saviour, it is impossible to discover and fulfill God-given Purpose.
There is no accidental fulfillment in life as every purpose fulfilled is a product of; Self-Discovery, Adequate Preparation, Deliberate Intention, Purposeful Actions, Dedication/Commitment, and The Grace of God.
