You’ve probably heard the term “the gift of life” at one time or another. Usually it’s used in the context of how precious our allotment of time on earth can be. And certainly this is true.
Today, however I’d like you to see things from a slightly different perspective. The combined expression of who you are…your passions, personality, skill, talent, experience, etc. is a gift that was meant to be presented to your world. You are the gift.
In essence, that’s what purpose is…the contribution of your life in a way that expresses God’s goodness to others.
But I say this at the risk of knowing that some people might misinterpret what I’m saying. I’m not trying to lay a guilt trip on you for not doing more with your life. In fact, I know that some of you have given to the point of exhaustion.
The point is not to expend more of yourself, but to focus on the expenditure of the right gift. The more you learn to focus your life energies toward the right contributions, the more powerful the influence of your life will become.
Let me explain what I mean…
It would be nice if we all had crystal clarity in terms of who we are. My experience however is that most people define themselves in terms of their perceived value to others. This creates pressure to perform according the expectations that are placed upon us.
So we run harder and faster and spread ourselves in all kinds of directions. We can give ourselves in so many ways, to the point of wearing ourselves out.
Ironically, these vicious cycles of performance often prevent us from understanding our true value to God. When we strive for the affection and approval of others, we miss the extraordinary greatness of who we already are. It’s like adding more and more to ourselves in order to look better when God simply says, “Let me remove the wrapping paper so the world can see the value of who you already are!”
God will never love you any more or any less than He does at this very moment. He wants to share His love to the world through the true expression of who He made you to be.
So rather than striving to have more, be more, do more…why don’t you take a risk…
Let God remove the wrapping paper. Don’t give yourself to please people. Believe in the value of who you already are. Serve from this position.
You are one of a kind and amazing. Stop wrestling to be more of who you are not. Focus on the extraordinary value of who you are. The world is waiting and the more you present them with the real you, the more powerful your influence will be! Blessings…R.P.P.
Randall Paul Pipes is a life development specialist helping people
discover and develop God’s unique purpose for their lives through
coaching, seminars, public speaking and resources. Visit him at www.lifepurposetips.com or contact him at randall_paul@lifepurposetips.com.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS. Your feedback is very important to me. Please leave your thoughts, ideas, questions or comments using the form below.
FEEL FREE TO POST AND SHARE. If you are blessed by what you read feel free to post this article on your website or blog. Please include my signature information with the article. I’d also appreciate it if you would use the share or tweet buttons to help spread the word to others.
SIGN UP FOR R.S.S. DELIVERIES. Do you like the content of this blog? If you would like to receive automatic email notices whenever I update this blog, please click here.
Thank you! R.P.P.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes this is great and goes to strengths psychology – enhance what you are best at and literally ignore the rest.
This is the exact OPPOSITE of 98% of people’s philosophy and the worlds education systems.
One example is of I think a Canadian girl who had a nice talent (and passion) for painting.
Her parents took her out of primary school, and home schooled her around building on those strengths.
By the time she was 11 or 12 she was creating paintings that were the most beautiful i have ever seen (and also selling them for a large amount of money I may add!).
This is NOT yoru traditional path but it certainly worked in this case!…
Hi Randy,
I enjoyed reading your post. I am a life purpose coach as well, and your short article helps to clarify some of the key elements of unwrapping ones life purpose. I will share it with my clients and on my blog.
Thanks,
John Curran
http://www.coachcurran.com/blog
Finding your purpose is something that can feel like a second job, maybe even a third! I’m finding that the more I put my energies into the small, obedient areas of seemingly insignificance, God shows up with a surprise immediately. Too many times, people convince themselves that if they aren’t doing something “big”, they haven’t “discovered” themselves. Actually, it’s the complete opposite. Like I always say, there is no such thing as a “Big” thing in life. “Big” is only a name- given to a collection of a whole bunch of little things….. keep up the good work Pastor R……. this is really helping. Timing could not possibly have been better