Becoming The Best Version Of Yourself – Part 4

“Well done good and faithful servant”

Even writing those words sends a slight tingle down my spine. Imagine standing before God one fine day and as he places this bejewelled gold crown on your head, He says those words to you. 

“Well done…”

OK so maybe my imagination is running riot here but I’m convinced it’s going to be an incredible feeling. The lyrics to the popular 90’s track ‘I Can Only Imagine’ is probably the best I’ve personally come across that attempts to describe in words what my reaction to meeting God face to face in glory, would likely feel like. I suspect it might be yours too:

“Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you Jesus

Or in awe of You, be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing ‘Hallelujah’?

Will I be able to speak at all?!”

The picture I just painted with God saying those words, is what I believe will be the end result of finding and living a life of purpose. Besides, there’s no better measuring stick to determine how well you’re doing on your journey to becoming the best version of yourself. Fulfilling God’s purpose for your life IS the very best version of yourself

 

 

Back in the 90s, I attended this beautiful local church in the town I lived in at the time. They were one of those churches we referred to as ‘worded’ churches back then signifying, they were pretty big on the study of God’s word (the bible). 

In case you’re asking: “Aren’t all churches like that?,” the answer is they are or at least should be, by nature and foundation. But there’s no denying that some have placed more emphasis on the dissecting of scriptures (complete with the introduction and interpretation of certain words and phrases from the Greek and Hebrew texts) than other areas of church culture like evangelism, missions, healing etc. 

They also had a reputation for producing high-quality music which is what drew me to the church in the first place but that’s by the way…

At the end of each service at this church, the entire congregation was led in what I now recognise as a declaration of faith-  almost like saying the benediction but not quite. A couple of lines of that ‘bene-claration’ have stayed with me, in the more than 20 years since I last heard it. They are simply this:

“I was created for a purpose

According to God’s purpose”

It goes on for another 10 lines or so, half of which I have now forgotten but those two lines have been stuck in my brain. I was barely out of my teens then and could hardly call myself a Christian. But those words woke me up to the realisation that I was unique and God had a plan and purpose for my life

“Now, I just need to find it,” I remember saying to myself. Here are some lessons I’ve learned along the way that I believe might help you

• The overarching word ‘purpose’ is usually a combination of broken down, smaller tasks and ventures and are sometimes dependent on seasons

• We’re hardly given the full picture. It’s usually a lamp-unto-my-feet-and-a-light-unto-my-path type of scenario. So your faith plays a massive role here

• All you need to fulfil His purpose for your life, God has provided. And it’s either within you or within reach

• Did I mention it’s a faith walk? Like a blind person (which we mostly are anyway) you have to trust that God will lead you. You need to just  keep putting one foot in front of the other

• If you can afford not to find and fulfil purpose, chances are you will

Now with those ideas humming an un-intrusive tune at the back of your mind, here are 5 ways I believe will ensure you find and fulfil God’s plan and purpose for your life.

There are probably much more so I hope these ones light a spark in your soul to get you digging

1. Start with what you know, believe or think: 

The point here is you don’t have to be crystal clear on where you’re going. As I said, this is pretty much a faith walk. If we all had the full picture we wouldn’t need faith now, would we? As Paul said, we know in part and we understand in part. Plus, there’s a reason we’ve been instructed to not lean on our own understanding. Whatever the case, 

Just. Start!

Even if it’s just an inkling or a slight, almost unnoticeable quickening in your heart- start heading in the direction of the ‘call’, trusting more of the path will be revealed as you make progress

 

2. Keep obeying the last command

 

The military understands this to a T: Until you hear otherwise, you keep heading down the direction of the last command you received. I’ve heard folks say ‘I don’t know what God wants me to do in the future” and my response is “What did He ask you to do before?” 

And if you’re anything like me, you probably haven’t received guidance for the next course of action because you didn’t obey the previous one. 

 

3. Delight yourself in the Lord

 

“…and He’ll grant you the desires of your heart.”. I’ve always viewed this verse as God expressing His rather cheeky side. I mean, we all know if you delight yourself in the Lord, the ‘desires of your heart’ will actually be His desires, no? 

The first time I heard of David being referred to as a ‘man after God’s own heart’, I thought it meant he was a favourite of God. And while that may very well be true, I believe its meaning stretches to include David pursuing the heart of God. Heart = Desires. Simply put, fulfilling God’s desire was his delight!

God’s purpose for you may very well include some distant obscure accomplishment but it’s also the little, everyday things: 

How we relate to God; 

How we relate to people; 

How we relate to money or material things, and even 

How we relate to our enemies. 

His purpose for those things can be found in scripture and when you do as He has instructed, guess what? You’re fulfilling purpose!

 

4. Focus on helping people

 

This is particularly for those folks who say they don’t know what their purpose is (well, so was the last point actually). One thing’s for sure: Your purpose in some way or the other will be connected to helping/serving people. I heard this story from Joyce Meyer a long time ago: This young lady came across a beggar on the street and was torn between whether to give the beggar some money or walk on as she wasn’t convinced it was God’s will.

Joyce told her she was 100% certain that giving to someone in need wouldn’t make God mad!

 As long as we’re on this side of eternity, God’s greatest love, His greatest heart desire is for people- especially those who don’t know Him. So instead of simply folding your arms and waiting for a ‘Road to Damasus’ encounter, why not give yourself a head start by serving people in whatever capacity you can. It doesn’t have to be something grand or news-worthy but I can assure you God will not only notice it, but He’ll also bless it.

 

5. Keep an open mind and a sensitive heart

 

God is constantly guiding and directing us through His Holy Spirit. But sometimes we struggle to pick up the ‘vibes’. I’m convinced that it’s either because we don’t want to follow His direction (disobedience) or we are so focused on following one path we totally miss His prompts to follow another. 

Other times, it’s because we don’t expect it. Do you remember our first pointer to becoming the best version of yourself? It was being self-aware. If you worked that muscle, it’ll so come in handy here! Also, remember the purpose He’s called us to, He’s equipped us with. We just need to be sensitive and open to His leading.

So there it is! We’ve covered a lot in the last 4 weeks. I sure hope you found it useful and helpful on your journey to becoming the best version of yourself. You owe it to yourself never, ever to settle for anything less.