“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
~Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)~
Vision. Purpose. Calling. We use these words both in faith and business, although not always with intention. They have a certain energy to them, a sense of momentum if you will. However, if most of us were asked what our purpose was on the spot right now, we might have a hard time answering. If we are work and action-oriented, we turn to our careers for a response.. Or perhaps if we are more focused on the people side of things, we talk about the value we add to their families or other loved ones. While not bad places to start, we miss the larger scope if we stop there. Our purpose is about why we do what we do, and that is more complicated than just work or relationships.
I was in the middle of my master’s degree in Practical Theology when I discovered my love for coaching. Seminary lent itself to a lot of self-reflection—always questioning why I’m here and what am I supposed to be doing. Through the coaching certification process, I was able to articulate my core values and create a mission and vision for my life. I realized what was most important to me was creating areas of rest for myself and others. There were lots of ways I was actively doing this and some ways that I wasn’t. There were two areas of chaos that weren’t reflecting these values—the physical environment of my home and my tornado of a schedule. My physical space was too disorganized to work or rest well, and I was always trying to be all things to all people.
The busyness mostly came from work in that season. I was teaching high school math and working a lot of hours. I often felt like I was spinning my wheels. Then in 2014, I sent my son to a treatment center for 92 days (the why for that is his story to tell). I realized that my family was suffering because I was working too much instead of putting boundaries around my work. I was in crisis mode, so I immediately cut my schedule to part-time while we figured out how to do life in a way that would work better. I still wanted to do a good job at work but I refused to allow it to take over my life. That is when I began looking for ways to streamline and ask myself some questions about why I was doing what I was doing and if it was what I was meant to do. I had to go down some different paths, but now what I am doing aligns with my why. And that makes all the difference.
It might feel a little daunting to change course or shift into a different mindset—but think of the energy and joy that comes with actually doing what you were meant to—and doing it for the right reasons.
John Maxwell, one of my main influences in coaching and leadership says this:
“Courage and initiative come when you understand your purpose in life.”
I have seen this shift happen for me, and I am so passionate about seeing it happen for other Christian entrepreneurs, not just for our individual joy but for His glory. Our purpose is bigger than us and is part of His much larger plan, a tapestry woven together with more threads than we can even see at any given point in time. You and I are single threads. Thankfully, God not only reveals to us who we were meant to be in His grand design in his wisdom and timing, He delights in bringing us into everything we were meant to be. It takes the pressure off, doesn’t it? Instead of us having to design and execute everything, we get to carry it out and even enjoy the process. We are made in His image so we get to co-create, and we happen to have the wisest and loving God to make things with.
I know sometimes, especially in our busy, work-oriented culture, we can get lost in the “doing”. But as Kurt Vonnegut writes, “I am a human being, not a human doing.” We would do well to ask ourselves more often “Who have I been created to be in this world?” rather than only asking “What am I created to do?” The doing is of course important, but it needs to flow out of our being. That way we will not only be more effective and productive, but more joyful as well. From there we can be led to our why, the reason behind our actions, the reason behind what we do things.
Let’s ask ourselves questions like these:
- What are you passionate about?
- What kind of people are you drawn to?
- When you are alone, what do you love to think about and imagine?
- What are your dreams and hopes for the future?
- Do you find yourself thriving more in silence and solitude or energized by dialogue and good company?
- What was a time that you felt the most fulfilled and glad to be you? Where were you? Who were you with?
Some of you may just be starting this journey. Others of you may have already asked yourselves many of these questions and have a depth of understanding about how you engage with your world. Bravo, wherever you are! Most of us are somewhere in between, on the path, making progress, all at different paces. This isn’t a simple three-step formula, but a lifelong discovery and series of choices. I am here to share my own story with you, not just to offer practical advice—although that is included! But more than quick tips, I want to invite you to the path or to get back on it. Let’s keep asking questions, discover deeper levels of purpose and meaning, and access more freedom and fulfillment in the work and life that you’ve chosen for ourselves. If you want to change the trajectory of your work and life, that is also achievable. In our community and with all of our voices and God’s love, it’s a challenge we can take on and even enjoy along the way. Welcome. I am so glad you are here. Let’s get started.
If you are still looking for your purpose, I invite you to download my
3 Part Guide to Clarity. Download Here