
Purpose as defined by Webster is the reason for something being done, or the reason for somethings existence it’s purpose. Purpose is not what you do, it is a part of who you are.
The movie 42 is not just about Jackie Robinson’s baseball career, It’s actually about the impact the two men had on Major League Baseball.
Both men started out with a simple purpose Jackie’s was to play Major League Baseball and Mr. Rickey was to make money. That’s what they did.
But there was something deeper in both of them that they would come to realize as they started on this journey.
For many of us our purpose is wrapped up in what we do isn’t it? I’m a carpenter, I’m a musician, I’m a lawyer, I’m a doctor - But that isn’t purpose, your reason for existence is not so that you can be a lawyer, or even a doctor as noble as that is. Your existence is deeper than that, it is greater than that.
Ephesians 4:1 NLT
“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling (purpose) for you have been called by God.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A1&version=NLT
Paul isn’t talking about our jobs, he isn’t talking about what we do - he is talking about the Gospel he is talking about the very thing that defines who we are.
You see your abilities don’t define your purpose, God’s view of you, His image in you defines your purpose and your value.
Philippians 4:11–13 NLT
for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians4:11-13
God cares far less about what you do, than who you are while you do it. That is what Paul is talking about, regardless of your circumstance you are called to live a life of trust in Christ.
Philippians 4:8–9 NLT
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204:8–9
It is in those moments when we are to fix our thoughts that word means to obsess. And while we do that, we are to live out a life worthy of the calling and in those moments.
We can focus Jesus and allow our faith that we have in him to fuel the feet in our purpose.
And at that moment when things are unfair, when things are hurtful, it is our ability to stand in the face of that and react differently than the world reacts. To speak and to live beyond ourselves to the greater purpose which is to live the Gospel.
We are called to a different kind of life - when God wants to make a significant impact in the world He doesn’t send tanks, He doesn’t send guns, He doesn’t send the strong to overcome the weak, He sends the meek, the humble, the servant, those who are brave enough, strong enough to not meet the world at its own low ground. It is in that moment that we must live out the sermon.
In the same way God say in his good creation something had gone wrong, His medicine was Jesus who took all of the insults, all of the shame, all of the beatings and ultimately paid the price so that God could redeem, heal, make whole what He loved so much.
That is a part of your purpose to live out that reality to the world.
Hebrews 12:1–3 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;[c] then you won’t become weary and give up.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:1–3