Motivation Monday - Why Presence with God Precedes Purpose

“There is faulty way of thinking that we, as modern women in the church, may have prescribed to. It’s not a surprise, with our ongoing addiction to outside voices that come to us primarily through our constant companions, our phones. We are running after our purpose by pursuing that which we think others want us to be as we scroll. ”

— Cathie Ostapchuk

I begin to get restless at this time of year – somewhere between the end of winter and the beginning of spring.  I am wanting some security on the season ahead and that I am on the right track. Perhaps you, like me, experience anxiety asking ‘what is my purpose?’ and feel if we don’t know then God has somehow forgotten to send us the memo.

Let’s make the first thing the first thing. 

FIRST, YOUR PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO LIVE IN GOD’S PRESENCE.

You were created to enjoy God forever. If you had no physical ability to declare His worth, do good works or serve the kingdom – you would still be able to fulfill your purpose by being in His presence.

YOUR SECOND PURPOSE IS TO DO WHAT YOU CAN TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

We see so many amazing human responses to tragic world circumstances. Men and women are responding to war and poverty, justice and reconciliation to make things better. And this is valuable. But how does that inform your unique purpose?

YOUR THIRD PURPOSE IS TO SERVE THE WORLD WITH YOUR UNIQUE BIRTHRIGHT GIFTS.

You must exercise that talent- your greatest gift- which you most delight to use.

We must get this order correct.

Are you committed to spending consistent time in God’s presence?
Do you have a desire to serve the world?
Are you serving the world with your birthright gifts – where only you can, and the way only you can?

Steven Covey says this:
“The power to discover your voice – and your purpose – lies in the potential that was bequeathed you at birth. Latent and undeveloped, the seeds of greatness were planted You were given magnificent birth-right gifts…

Talents

Capacities

Privileges

Intelligences

Opportunities

That would remain largely unopened except through your own decision and effort.

Open these gifts.

Learn what taps your talents and fuels your passion that rises out of a great need in the world that you feel drawn by conscience to meet.

Therein lies your voice, your calling, your purpose, your soul’s code.”

There is faulty way of thinking that we, as modern women in the church, may have prescribed to. It’s not a surprise, with our ongoing addiction to outside voices that come to us primarily through our constant companions, our phones. We are running after our purpose by pursuing that which we think others want us to be as we scroll. 

Instead of uncovering our identity, who we are in God’s presence, we are asking the world, “who would you like me to be?”

We may have been led to believe that popularity – leads to platform – leads to purpose – 

Once we find an audience that resonates with us – we shift and amplify our voices to speak to and lead them.

However, the opposite is true, and we need to change direction. Rather than focusing on becoming popular – and then gaining platform presence – and then finding our purpose from our audience,

PURPOSE MUST COME BEFORE PLATFORM AND PLATFORM MUST
COME BEFORE POPULARITY

The reason why Purpose must emanate first from time in God’s presence is because He is the origin of our identity.

Henri Nouwen says:
“Your true identity is as a child of God. This is the identity you have to accept. Once you have claimed it and settled in it, you can live in a world that gives you much joy as well as pain. You can receive the praise as well as the blame that comes to you as an opportunity for strengthening your basic identity, because the identity that makes you free is anchored beyond all human praise and blame. You belong to God, and it is as a child of God that you are sent into the world.”

Purpose begins and ends with your identity – what God has spoken over you since birth – and how you are sent out into the world to live and lead.

Purpose is that deepest dimension within you - your central core or essence - where you have a profound sense of who you are, where you came from and where you are going.

I wonder if revival would begin to sweep our nation through the hearts of women, women like you, as you seek to reclaim your purpose in God’s presence. 

I believe in you!

Cathie