“An aim in life is the only
fortune worth finding; and it is not to be found in foreign lands, but in the
heart itself.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson
(1850-1894)
Author
"For I know the
plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for
calamity to give you a future and a hope."
- God Almighty
Jeremiah
29:11 / NASV
It is deep within the human heart to have a purpose. Everyone needs to know that their life has
some meaning and there is a reason for them to be on this planet. A good example of this happened a few years
ago when Pastor Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life was
released. Published in 2002, in just
five years it sold over 30 million copies.
What was the reason for this amazing interest in this book? People need a purpose.
Those
who do not believe they have a purpose soon become self-destructive, and
empty. Many will take their own life
because without a purpose, there is no reason to live. Success-minded people know they have a purpose
and that it is good. They understand
that they were created to achieve and to fulfill a unique and wonderful
destiny. That is not only reason to
live, but reason to excel in life.
The question of purpose
This
sense of purpose is why I have found the most common question asked by those
who come for coaching or after I speak about achieving dreams is, "What is
my purpose in life?" I am asked
that more than any other question.
"What am I here to do?"
And my answer is often the same, "What do you want to do?"
Purpose is not a secret
I do
not believe that our purpose is a secret that we have to try and discover, nor
do I believe that it is something that we will hate and suffer with. I have found many people who cannot believe
that God would create them to do something they love. In fact, many will not follow God in fear
that if they do He will send them to the deepest parts of the jungle to be a
missionary. If God sends you to be a
missionary, He will first make being a missionary the thing you want most in
the world.
What do you want to be?
This
same principle applies to all areas of life.
What is your dream? Is it to be a
life coach, to own your own coaching practice perhaps? Maybe you have a burning passion to be a
writer, teacher, doctor, lawyer or athlete.
When you find that desire you will find your purpose. "But how can being a business person be
a purpose? Isn't that self-centered and
shallow?" Absolutely not. Where would the world be without those who
create, develop, and conduct business?
Everyone has the opportunity to make the world a better place, to do the
impossible and change it all.
Never put limits on purpose
Never
sell yourself or others short with limited thinking. I believe we all have a purpose that fits
into God's great plan for mankind. What
is that plan? I have no idea. I am not God nor can I even attempt to
understand Him. Anyone who says they can
or that they know the plan of God is lying or delusional. I do know this, God is good and He loves us
more than we could ever deserve. I do
not need to know or understand His plan to trust Him in it.
What is
your dream? What is your purpose in
life? You do not have to go all over the
world to find it. You do not have to
look to others to tell you what it is (in fact, that is the one thing you do
not want to do). It is where it always
has been, in your heart. Ask yourself,
"If I can do anything, what would it be?" Then do that thing! Your life will have meaning, drive and
purpose. What a wonderful life you will have!
You matter to the world. You are here to make a difference and that
difference is good. Remember the
qualities of a real success-minded person: Be your best. Love God.
Have good manners. Discover the unknown.
Change the world.
John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker,
and Life Coach. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books,
training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our
website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.
© 2014 John
Patrick Hickey
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