Understanding our purpose can be daunting. Most people think purpose is what they do…but God views purpose as what we become. The ultimate purpose in our relationship with God is “Know Me…not show Me.” God desires for us to know Him and love Him. We tend to view purpose as some grand thing we’ll achieve rather than the pleasure of walking humbly with our God. Once we understand that true purpose is not about performing, God shapes our lives into lives of impact and meaning.

In the book of Nehemiah, we see God unlock purpose in a man who was physically far from the people and plan God would unfold. Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the Babylonian King, and when he heard about the state of the Jewish people and his beloved city Jerusalem; he wept, prayed and fasted for days. Through his life we see some key purpose principles.

Purpose is unlocked in prayer. Nehemiah didn’t jump right up and start telling everyone about his plan. He kept his thoughts quietly between himself and God for a certain period of time. He prayed and fasted, seeking God’s plan and His will. In humility, he sought God on behalf of the sins of the people. He made himself part of the problem while God was preparing to make him part of the solution.
God will give you a burden. Purpose is often birthed from pain. The things we’ve struggled with or felt hurt by, things that make us angry or motivated to change—these are the beginnings of purpose.
Preparation fuels purpose—persistence sustains it. God prepares us for our purpose, so we won’t feel disappointed or burned out when things get hard.

Any time we are walking in purpose, opposition will arise. Opposition may come in the form of people, criticism, insecurity, doubt, or a mental and sometimes physical tearing down of the very thing you hope for. Nehemiah led the people who were rebuilding the wall to build with one hand and hold a weapon of protection in the other hand. He refused to quit and responded to the opposition with, “I’m doing a good work and I can’t come down.”

The wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt in 52 days, but more than a wall was built. Purpose was planted and sustained in all the people who took part in it. Our purpose may take many forms throughout a lifetime, but ultimately it points back to one thing…to know God and to lovingly walk with him all the days of our lives.

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Episode 8: How Do I Discover My Purpose?