PRAY: This seems simple enough. Praying for God to reveal His purpose for your life is not for the distracted. This prayer is focused on the goal. This prayer is specific with the future in mind. Although each of us has our own unique way of communicating with God, it is important to pray as if the future is present. This approach is not to help God, but instead to help you. Praying as if the future is present helps us to come from a place of gratitude and expectancy.
Be Open to and Listen to God’s guidance: This part is hard for most of us. There are two things that stop us from being open and listening to God: our own voice and our lack of patience. We pray, yes, but do we stop to listen to God’s response or do we jump into his word? During this time of going to God about our purpose, we must spend quiet time with him. This should include meditation, reading his word and fasting. It is in the quiet times that the Holy Spirit will reveal things to you that will never be revealed when you are busy (physically and mentally). Our lack of patience also keeps us from hearing from God. When we do not see things happening fast enough, we do things that are outside of his will. It is important to be still and listen before we act.
Self-Discovery: Self-discovery is the process of understanding one’s true potential, character and motives (Colin’s dictionary). Through this process, you are able to identify your strengths, weaknesses, passions and potential. You are able to understand your emotions and how you respond to others. When you are doing this work on yourself, you will begin to understand what drives you and why. Understanding your true self will help you to move through the world in a way that exposes you to your purpose. It is a spiritual experience. This should be done with careful consideration as you continue to trust God’s direction for your life.
Listen Out For Confirmation: God has many different ways to confirm a message He may have for you. Yes, he used your quiet time and the Bible to do so, but sometimes he will use other people. Many times he uses complete strangers to tell you something that he has told you before. As you pray, ask the lord to open your spiritual eyes and ears as you listen out for your confirmations.
When Opportunities Come, Say Yes: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrew 11:1
Whether you feel you are ready or not, the opportunities will come for you to start doing something towards your purpose. When that happens, always say yes. Never say you are too busy, or you cannot do it. You should always say yes, even if you feel you cannot do it. It is in saying yes that your faith is activated. It is in saying yes that your purpose will begin to take shape. It is God who creates these wonderful environments for your purpose to grow.
Don’t be discouraged: Sometimes you will feel like giving up. There are times when your mind will tell you that you are not good enough, or that you will fail. In that moment, remember the Future Thinking exercise and keep at it, no matter what.
Be Open to Change: Sometimes you will have to pivot along the way. This means that you will have to change course and do something a little differently. Be open to change, and keep your spiritual ears open for God’s direction.
The above steps can be done in any order. The only three (3) requirements are:
- You start with prayer,
- You do every single step, and
- Get help along the way.
If this goal is important to you, you will need an accountability partner. You will need help from a life coach in self-discovery stage. Get some help if it gets too hard for you.