How To Succeed in Finding your Purpose Without Really Trying
“And Jesus called (to Him) the throng with His disciples and said to them, ‘If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself (forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests) and take up his cross, and (joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party) follow with Me (continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me.). - Mark 8:34 Amplified Bible
In 1967 a popular Broadway musical comedy, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” became a movie.” It featured a character named J. Pierpont Finch, a lowly window cleaner with dreams of making it big in the business world. After finding a book entitled, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, he applies the tactics in the book to his own life. Soon he is working as a mail room clerk at the Worldwide Wicked Company and quickly fights his way up the corporate ladder.
I believe this amusing story touches something within us that understands that fulfilling our deepest desires often are not attained through the conventional strategy but rather through taking an alternative approach. Haven’t you noticed that in many areas, whether it be a relationship, a job or a sport, that there comes a time when frantic trying is wisely replaced by confident trusting? So how does this all relate to finding our purpose?
First, the definition of “Purpose.” Webster’s Dictionary defines Purpose as “something set up, an object or end to be attained: Intention.” For example, “Sometimes his life seemed to lack purpose or meaning, he just seemed aimless.” In 2023 America, doesn’t this sound familiar? Our culture has indoctrinated us to believe that there is no overall purpose or design to our individual lives. It is up to us to find our own purpose and meaning. This leads to two extremes. Obsession to find our purpose or Concession that there is no purpose to be found.
Jesus teaches us an Alternative Way. Stop trying to find our own purpose and start trusting Him to reveal it to us. When we choose to join with Him, His purpose then becomes our purpose. The Apostle Paul wrote, “He died for everyone so that those who received His new life will no longer live for themselves (seek purpose through their own efforts and pursuits), instead they will live for Christ (not Self), who died and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15 NLT parenthetic statements added.)
J Pierpont Finch found the way to succeed in business “without really trying” through reading AND applying a book. We have a Book we need to read and apply as well. The Bible. This book repeatedly implores us it to turn our trying into trusting. “Our purpose will flow from His design of us and His destiny for us! “For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT emphasis added)
Amen!
Jamie Bohnett
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