Monday Memo 1217: Back to Basics

Last week, we finished our series titled Purpose Full Provision. For 30 weeks, we saw one example after another of how God provides for His people, sometimes using their place of employment and sometimes other means. The goal was to help you see that purpose is a Kingdom matter and thus the King is responsible to provide as He guides. That principle has set me free to pursue my purpose without finances being my primary consideration.

Now it's time for another series and this week I was seeking God for direction: "Lord, I've written about finances and purpose, men of purpose, women of purpose, never too young for purpose, never too old for purpose, unlocking the power of purpose, purpose revival. I think I've squeezed every drop of purpose from the purpose fruit." But God's creativity is limitless, which means that ours is too, and He showed me that it's time to get back to basics. Therefore, that will be the title and focus for the next six months of so.

We are going to review some old concepts and introduce some new ones, but I'm introducing a new format for this series. You'll now have not only a narrative as the lesson, but then I'll provide some optional reflection questions, a prayer, and an application exercise that you can use to help you apply what you learned in the lesson throughout the week. This will make the Memo more like my other devotionals which tend to follow that format of lesson/questions/prayer.

I don't know if you've noticed but I have adjusted my references to purpose in the last year or so. I seldom refer just to just purpose any more, but I've added a one word descriptor to it: creative purpose. Why is that? When I first began teaching purpose and coaching others to find it, I noticed that once they found it, they began to pay more attention to their creativity. It's like we had let purpose out of its cage and before we could close the door, out ran creativity.

People began showing me their poetry, book manuscripts, and short stories. They shared dreams of businesses, ministries, and other creative expressions that were consistent with their God-assigned purpose. That is in part why I founded Urban Press—to help writers have an opportunity to publish their creative ideas and work. So I've found referring to purpose alone to be incomplete, which led to my use of the phrase creative purpose.

I've chosen Colossians 1:16-17 as the foundation for this new series: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” These verses emphasize God as the source of all creativity and purpose. It also shows that life’s meaning flows from Him, not from financial or cultural considerations.

So let me close with the new additions to the Memo which you can expect now on a weekly basis. I pray God will use this to help you build on what you already know about your creative purpose or help you in your quest to discover it. Regardless of where you are in your search, be assured of this one thing: it's time to get back to basics where creative purpose is concerned.

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Reflection Questions

  1. How does Colossians 1:16-17 direct or reshape your understanding of purpose and creativity?

  2. Have you ever experienced a moment when discovering purpose unlocked new creativity in you? Have you fully realized the connection between your purpose and creativity?

  3. What “basics” do you need to return to in this season so that your purpose can flourish?

Prayer

Lord, thank You that all things were created through You and for You. I surrender my purpose and my creativity to You today (again). Teach me to return to the basics—Your Word, prayer, obedience, and faith—so my life reflects Your glory and I can bear fruit as You desire. Amen.

Application

This week, take time to list the creative gifts or ideas God has already placed in your life. Then prayerfully ask: Am I using these for His glory? What steps might I take to offer them back to Him? What is my creative purpose?

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