Be Clear Why You're Here

Jack Canfield's Success Principle #2

Everywhere I go, I tell people that the most important thing they can figure out is why God sent them here to this planet at this particular time. I am amazed by how many people have no clue about their purpose.

Without purpose, we are all like ships adrift on wild waves of the ocean. The storms of life can leave us with a toppled mast, torn sails, and a broken rudder. If we're in a close relationship with someone who has no direction, our life together can feel aimless.

(1) Jack Canfield tells us that our inner GPS system can be relied upon to keep us on track with God's purpose. He believes that whenever we feel joy, we are doing what God has called us to.

I think joy is a good place to start, but I believe we experience far more when we are in sync with God's plan for us. The Bible puts it this way: The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Gal. 5:22) When we are doing the one thing that we love, all of these feelings fill our hearts.

(2) Make a list of the times in your life when you felt the most joy.
My list includes writing, sewing, playing the piano, and helping women and children who have been abused. Doing these things makes me feel energized, and I lose track of time. They are the activities I am willing to do without pay, because they fulfill me.

(3) Complete Jack's Life Purpose Exercise, as follows:

-List two of your unique personal qualities;
-List one or two ways that you enjoy putting those qualities to work for other people;
-Describe a perfect world, as you see it; and
-Combine these first three concepts into a single statement.

The book, What Color is Your Parachute?, asks readers to complete this same task. The author directs us to think about our greatest skills, the audience for those skills, and the outcome that we would achieve if we put our skills together with the people we feel most passionate about.

You can use either one of these methods to come up with your purpose. Here's mine:

My purpose is to use my gifts of writing, sewing, and healing to teach women new life skills so that they can learn how to thrive.

Today's Challenge:
Of all the Success Principles we will discuss, this one is the most important. Nail down your purpose, and the rest is easy. If you're having trouble figuring it out, just sit in a quiet place and ask God to tell you. He knows where you're going, and I'm sure he would be happy to guide you. All you have to do is listen.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."