Start Living Your Amazing Life On Purpose

Be honest, how “on purpose” have you been doing life?

It’s common to have seasons of drifting through life and seasons of intentional focus, but what if you started tapping into your purpose?

Over the years, I’ve had the joy of teaching children of all ages, and my favorite age to work with are preschoolers. Preschoolers approach life in a way that is innocent and inspiring, which makes me giggle! They dance, sing, and share freely and without inhibitions. When they dream, they dream big and embrace wild possibilities. Oh, to be young again!

Your Dream?

Speaking of dreaming big, do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? My “dream” was to be the one in charge of a big important company.

My daughter’s dream was to be a “party girl” – someone who had fun all the time, or a Christian singer. I witnessed firsthand many vocal practice sessions on our fireplace hearth!

Becoming Winnie the Pooh – that was my youngest son’s dream!

When children dream, they don’t always think practically or logically. They don’t analyze their dream to determine if it is doable, they just imagine!

Dream Jobs

According to an article written by Alison Doyle in 2024, the top 15 dream jobs for kids are:

• Dancer/Choreographer
• Actor
• Musician
• Teacher
• Scientist
• Professional Athlete
• Firefighter
• Detective
• Writer
• Police Officer
• Astronaut
• Pilot
• Veterinarian
• Lawyer
• Doctor

Did you spot your childhood aspiration on the list?

For quite some time, my oldest son was enamored with garbage trucks and garbage men. He would race to the window to watch them work the minute he heard the garbage truck in our neighborhood.

Children aren’t held back by what others think or by what those older and wiser might view as silly or impossible. They are also not concerned with prestige. They aren’t motivated by a desire to do something impressive – they just follow their heart!

Dashed Dreams

Time has a way of spoiling dreams. The pull of day-to-day demands and responsibilities become increasingly more intense as you enter adulthood. Soon you find yourself being caught up in the current of life, passively going wherever it takes you, while your dreams fade into the background and are forgotten.

Many adults think they are supposed to think about purpose the same way children dream about what they will be when they grow up. They think they are supposed to dream big and do something that rocks the world. Earn an important title like fireman or astronaut. Yet after experiencing the rough bits of life, stepping into purpose like that seems quite daunting!

A Fresh Perspective

What if your purpose isn’t what you DO, but who you are? Not something you have to strive to achieve, but something you already are? What if your purpose is a way of BEing?

I don’t think God is particularly dazzled by our magnificent accomplishments. I think He is delighted most when we live in a way that genuinely reflects Him.

There are quite a few similarities between one of my granddaughters and I. She LOVES to read the way I do. My granddaughter hates to miss out on anything making her a bit nosy just the way I was as a kid, which I hate to admit. She loves to be the one in charge and is grinning ear to ear when given a bit of responsibility or a task to complete.

Of course, she has her own unique bits too – she loves to dance and perform and that is NOT me! She is an avid wave jumper and water activities are not really my thing. However, it does tickle me when my family points out the similarities – they ways she mimics me including my walk!

I think when we reflect our Father the way my granddaughter reflects me and we remind others of Him, He’s tickled too!

Your Unique Purpose

God’s unique purpose for your life is about glorifying Him no matter what you do. That means that you can be a dancer that shines for Him, an detective that is lovingly brilliant, or a leader that demonstrates true courage – it’s all about reflecting Him!

Your unique purpose is possible no matter what you pursue. That doesn’t mean that walking in who He created you to be will always be easy. It will be something that you are only able to BE with God’s help.

When your unique purpose is clear, intentionally leaning into your purpose is easier. No more wondering or drifting!

There is a sense of significance that comes with purpose and that’s inspiring. It has a way of captivating the attention of those around you and making a difference in their lives. Pursuing your purpose creates passion for the future too!

Are you ready to identify your unique purpose; the person God created you to BE?

1. Seek…

Yes, ask God, after all, He’s the one who designed you!

2. Pay Attention…

What traits do you admire in others? Seeing who you were created to BE is often something you admire or appreciate in others; something that makes them a hero to you or someone you look up to.

3. Consider…

The skills, abilities, spiritual gifts, personality, and passions He’s blessed you with. What part do they play in who He created you to BE?

4. Think…

About your life experiences; your biggest challenges or heartbreaks often lead to your most significant contributions. The discoveries you made along the way in those difficult situations are opportunities to positively impact on others in meaningful ways.

5. Ponder…

What you are passionate about? Do you know what makes you angry? What energizes you? What are you willing to sacrifice for? How might those passions intertwine with who God created you to BE?

6. Reflect…

On what you’ve done in the past that has been meaningful, fulfilling, or motivating to you. Consider what you are doing when you are ridiculously focused and in a state of flow. How might those activities link to who God create you to BE?

7. Finally…

Step back and examine your answers to the previous six points. Where is the intersection? How does it all connect back to how God created you to BE? What is it all  pointing to?

Imagine, what would be different if you were clear on your purpose?

The Role God Has For YOU, (Just You!)

Your purpose might not be reaching the lost on a grand scale like Billy Graham did, or powerfully touching lives by loving the unlovable like Mother Teresa.

Your purpose might be to simply love the people in your life well or to consistently be praying for them. Seemingly small actions, but who knows what surprising outcomes they might lead to! That’s the significant contribution my sweet Nana played in my own life. Loving and praying for me!

Your part might be to inspire, lead a business that impacts countless numbers of folks, or lead in a small non-profit in a way that impacts a few in a very positive way.

You may think that unless you accomplish something big, monumental, that you’ve failed in the purpose department. Yet how God views your purpose is quite different. He simply desires you to be faithful with the purpose He’s given you. What that leads to is in His hands. Will you be faithful even if what you are doing feels small?

Don’t be fooled! The enemy wants you to be ineffective so he entices you to compare, discount, disqualify, and doubt your purpose. The truth is that you can make a difference right now! Right where you are!

What’s keeping you from pursuing your purpose? What steps do you need to take to walk more fully in who God created you to BE? How would being intentional about your purpose impact your life personally and/or professionally?

The good news is that you can be the boss of a big company, a party girl, Christian singer, Winnie the Pooh (well, maybe not), or a garbage man and reflect Him! That’s exciting!

Still Unsure of Your Purpose?

Let’s work together to explore the unique person God created you to BE. Then you can BE intentional. No more passively going through life!

Let me know in the comment section…

What did you want to be growing up?

What’s your purpose – Who has God created YOU to BE?