Pursuing Your PurposeSample

Occasionally I get the opportunity to talk with a young adult about life. They sometimes seek my advice about which college to attend, marriage, finances, or about life in general. I’m not an expert, but they sometimes want an older adult to speak into the decisions they are facing. 

I always give them one piece of advice: Whatever you do, keep the future in mind. Don’t make hasty decisions based solely on what feels good now. Don’t postpone your education. Go to school; learn all you can while you can. Procrastination is your enemy, not your friend. Don’t spend all your money; save some for unexpected expenses and for retirement. Don’t allow your emotions to cause you to sin. If you do, you will live a life of regrets. Decisions have consequences, and often the ones we make emotionally have the worst effect.

Joy, according to Paul, occurs when you realize God made you for a purpose and is working all the affairs of your life to complete that purpose. No, that doesn’t mean God made the bad things happen, prompted people to hurt you, or orchestrated natural disasters to punish you. It does mean that God wants to use all the experiences of your life to make you like Jesus and to help you fulfill His purpose for you.

That is why Paul wrote with confidence that he was sure of one thing: “that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

I have a friend who runs in marathons. Regardless of how much he trains, the race is tiring and painful. Most runners quit before they finish. I asked him what his secret was to completing a race.

He said, “Before the race starts, I visit the finish line and stare at it. And I keep that mental image in my mind constantly as I am running.” Then he added, “So, when I think about quitting, I keep remembering that with every step I am one step closer to winning.”

That was Paul’s secret in life. Keep what is ahead in mind. Keep heaven in your thoughts and remember that God is working in you and through you until then.

- 

We hope you enjoyed this plan! To read more from Phil Waldrep, check out his new book Stop Chasing Happy, available here .