Monday Memo 1267: Purpose Knows Your Address

When people discover their purpose, one of the first questions they ask me is, “What should I do now?” My answer often surprises them. I tell them, “Nothing—at least not yet.” I don't mean they should become passive, sit around, and wait for God to do everything. I mean they should allow the insight into their purpose to permeate their thinking. They need to get used to seeing themselves in a new way and recognizing that what they may have considered an interest, hobby, burden, or unusual ability may actually be part of why God created them.

If you discover you're a teacher, start thinking of yourself as a teacher. If you're an encourager, begin looking at how opportunities to encourage have already been showing up throughout your life. If you're a writer, stop waiting for someone to give you permission to write. Purpose discovery often involves recognizing something that has been present all along and then becoming comfortable with that new understanding of yourself.

Once you're clear, however, you don't have to manufacture opportunities to express your purpose. God wants you to fulfill your purpose more than you do. He knows what He put in you, why He put it there, and where it can best be expressed. Your responsibility is to become clear and cooperative. God's responsibility is to create opportunities where what He put in you is needed.

Consider Joseph. He didn't advertise his ability to interpret dreams or campaign for a position in Pharaoh's government. He was sitting in prison when Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret. At just the right time, the cupbearer remembered Joseph, and suddenly Joseph was standing before Pharaoh. Purpose knew Joseph's address, even when that address was a prison.

David didn't campaign to become king either. He was tending his father's sheep when Samuel came looking for the man God had chosen. Later, David didn't go searching for Goliath. His father sent him to deliver supplies to his brothers, and while carrying out that ordinary assignment, he encountered an extraordinary opportunity. Daniel's story was similar. He didn't create Nebuchadnezzar's crisis, but when the king needed what God had put in Daniel, he was prepared to respond.

Then there was Paul. After years of traveling throughout the Roman world, he finally arrived in Rome, but not as a free man. He was under house arrest and apparently chained to a Roman guard. His days of simply deciding to travel to another city were, at least temporarily, over. Yet Luke tells us, “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him” (Acts 28:30).

Notice the direction of the traffic. Paul wasn't going to them; they were coming to Paul. He welcomed them, taught them, preached to them, and continued fulfilling his purpose. Luke ends Acts by telling us that Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about Jesus “with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31). Paul was restricted and in chains, but his purpose wasn't. Purpose knew his address.

I'm experiencing a small taste of that principle as I write this. A painful right knee has slowed me down and caused me to curtail my travel for now, but my purpose hasn't stopped. I'm still writing, and local closer-to-home invitations are coming my way to be involved in situations where I can do what I have always done—help create order out of chaos. I didn't go looking for those opportunities; they found me. My circumstances have changed for this season, but my purpose hasn't.

There's an important balance here, however. Waiting for God to create opportunities is never an excuse for passivity. You should wait on God for the opportunity, but you shouldn't wait on Him for the preparation. Joseph, David, Daniel, and Paul had all been developing what God had put in them long before the moment came when it was needed.

The same is true for you. God isn't going to read the books for you, take the course for you, learn the language for you, practice your instrument, write your manuscript, learn another language, or improve your skills. You don't have to force open a door, but you should be getting ready for the door that will eventually open.

Then, when the opportunity arrives, don't wait for something bigger. That's another form of passivity. You may have a vision to speak to thousands, but God gives you ten people. Teach the ten. You may envision writing a series of books, but you haven't written the first one. Write it. You may want to help hundreds of people, but God puts one person in front of you who needs what you have. Help the one. Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10).

Waiting for God isn't inactivity. It's a season of preparation, awareness, and readiness. You don't have to spend your life anxiously trying to make your purpose happen, but neither should you sit around expecting God to do what He has given you the ability and responsibility to do. God brings the opportunity. You bring the preparation and obedience.

Joseph was ready when Pharaoh called. David was ready when Goliath appeared. Daniel was ready when the king needed an answer. Paul was ready when people started knocking on his door. None of them had to chase their purpose because God knew exactly where they were and exactly when what He had put in them would be needed.

The same God knows where you are. You don't have to manipulate circumstances or panic because the opportunity hasn't arrived according to your timetable. Get clear about your purpose, prepare yourself relentlessly, and remain alert for even the smallest opportunity to express it. When that opportunity comes, act. Purpose knows your address, and when God sends it knocking at your door, make sure you're ready to answer.

Your Turn

What has God shown you about your purpose, and what are you doing now to prepare for opportunities that haven't arrived yet? Is there a small opportunity already in front of you that you've overlooked because you're waiting for something bigger?

What Would Paul Ask You?

Are you prepared to fulfill your purpose when opportunity comes knocking at your door? What opportunities are already presenting themselves?

Purpose Moment

Thank God that you don't have to manufacture opportunities to fulfill your purpose. Ask Him to help you become clear about who He created you to be, diligent in preparing yourself, and quick to respond when He brings an opportunity your way.