Focus on Your Purpose

I became curious. I’m 100% certain. I’ll tell you about these because curiosity and certainty are connected. I’m going to add two more words that start with “c.” I’m committed to sharing with you because I’m deeply passionate about something, and I want to convince you to be too.

Since Christmas I’ve been enjoying reading my newest Bible (NIV Life Application Study Bible, 2011, by Zondervan). This Bible is packed with incredible studying tools. One of my favorite features is the red-letters. If you don’t know the significance of red letters, let me tell you.

Red letters are the words Jesus Himself spoke while here on earth. I wanted a red-letter Bible for Christmas and my son-in-law gave me one. Thank you, Ben. This Bible makes my Bible reading and studying even more meaningful.

In mid-April I was drawn to John 17, which if you have a red-letter Bible, you’ll see is all red letters. Every. Single. Word. This means Jesus Himself spoke all these words. And this particular chapter is unique. Did you know John 17 shares three prayers Jesus prayed? 

Jesus prayed for Himself, for his disciples, and for future believers. That’s me. That’s you. More so, Jesus prayed these prayers the evening before He was crucified on the cross for our sins. My heart crumbled with gratefulness and humility as I read His prayer for us.

Aiming My Talents

I’m a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. If you haven’t heard of CliftonStrengths, you will soon. I’ll be sharing more in the future as I’m a firm believer in this development tool and its purpose.

That April day, I aimed my number two talent, Learner, and the curiosity that’s part of this talent. I searched the other three Gospels to see if what is written in John 17 is also written in the other Gospels. I learned, it is not. 

Something grabbed my attention.

Jesus Lived with Purpose

While searching in the other Gospels for Jesus’ words in red on the evening before He died, I read another prayer He prayed in Mark 14:36:

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Jesus desired to do the Father’s will and He did.

On September 10, 2018, Jesus whispered a personal message to me during the wee hours of the morning. I wrote the message across the large paper calendar on my desk:

“Michelle, you only have one choice:  to live the purpose of God!”

On April 18, 2020, after reading Mark 14:36, I glanced at the wall in my writing room where I’d taped the September 2018 paper calendar with that personal message from Jesus. I’ve read this message every day for over 500 days. Most days I’ve read it multiple times.

Jesus didn’t just speak these words to me; He permanently imprinted them in my heart. He’s given me purpose.

Passion for Purpose

Another feature of my red-letter study Bible is the commentary at the bottom of each page.

I always want to give credit where credit is due. While I don’t know which contributor wrote the commentary for Mark 14:36 because there are many contributors, one of them wrote the following: 

“Focus on the purpose God has given you, this is how you do God’s will and not your own.”

Jesus focused on the purpose God the Father gave Him.

Jesus lived with purpose. I’m convinced He wants us to live with purpose too. In fact, I believe He’s given every single one of us a purpose for Him.

In “What is My Life’s Purpose?” (September 13, 2018), I shared some of my main purposes in life. Today, I’m even more convinced. Jesus will not let me not think about purpose. In the few short years I’ve blogged, one-third of my published posts have been tagged “Purpose.” It’s become so clear to me.. 

Purpose matters.

I’m passionate about purpose! Why? Because if we want to be like Jesus, we need to live like He lived:  with purpose. 

Focusing on your purpose is going to help you live God’s will for your life, not your own will. 

I’ve discovered over the years the more time I spend with Jesus, the more my desires are changing and becoming what He desires for me. I no longer invest my time, thoughts, energy, money, and efforts into certain things. Jesus replaced those desires and interests that never were His will for my life with the things that are His will for my life. 

Jesus infused His desires in me. He’s poured His purpose in me that’s giving my life new and significant meaning.

One of my purposes in life is writing. I write to encourage hearts in faith, purpose, and perseverance. We all need others who are willing to come alongside to encourage us in these. We can’t live this life alone. We need others to help us live our purpose for Jesus.

Next Steps in Pursuing Our Purpose

We all have next steps in pursuing our purpose. I don’t know what your next step is, but I know what a couple of mine are:

• I need to share what Jesus is teaching and instructing me. 
• I need to lead you to Jesus. 
• I need to make Jesus noticed. 
• I need to bring attention to Jesus. 

This means, I need to write. I need to create. I need to get my messages out to you so that I can help bring glory to Jesus. I want Jesus to be known better and in deeper ways by you. I want you to get to know more about yourself and what your purpose is. This means I have to personally live my purpose. I need to focus on the purpose God has given me. After all, Jesus was very clear on September 10, 2018. I only have one choice:  to live the purpose of God!

Friends, we are the future believers Jesus prayed for the night before He died on the cross. I’m 100% certain He has specific purposes for each one of us. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I’m convinced I’m not the only one who only has one choice. I convinced all believers in Jesus are to live the purpose of God. 

I look forward to encouraging your hearts in faith, purpose, and perseverance.