How we choose to live our lives has a huge impact on our purpose. It affects our emotions, our level of success, our relationships, our morals, and standards. Lifestyle is defined as the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level., that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group. If I had to guess I would think the three most talked about lifestyle decisions are religion, career, and sex. Today I’m going to touch on career.
Growing up it was an unspoken expectation that in order for me to be successful I had to go to college and work for a company that pays me top dollar. There was never a thought to do anything else after high school except go to college. I graduated from high school in 2004. Directly after I traveled hundreds of miles away to continue my education. I was an 18-year-old freshman who like many had no idea what I wanted my major to be. So I tried a few. Social Work, Nursing, English, Cosmetology, and Sociology to name a few. I finally completed my degree in Business Administration Human Resource Concentration 14 years after my initial stent out of high school. Don’t judge. Lol. There was a 10-year life gap in-between high school, and me deciding to go back to school to finish my degree. My graduation day was really special to me. I finally completed something that I was expected to complete well over 10 years ago, and even though it took me so long I did it. No one could take that away from me. My family was proud. I was proud. It even inspired my Mother to go back to school to finish her degree.
Post-graduation there wasn’t a smooth transition into my degree field. I’m still not working in my degree field. I know that this is something that many people deal with after graduating from college. I know some people with Master degrees that are not in their field of study. So I had to have a conversation with Jesus. He led me to something that ultimately answered my questions. The response was so profound to me that it completely changed the trajectory of how I choose to live my life now, as well as, what I will be doing in my purpose. Below are a few tips to think about when it comes to being intentional about what you will be doing for the rest of your life.
- Seek the Lord. Be relentless in your pursuit.
The bible says, “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.” Jeremiah 29:11. He already has the plans for your future. I wonder how many of us would have saved so much time had we just pursued the one who had the blueprint for our lives. The more I sought after my relationship with Christ. The more He began to reveal to me the plans He had for my life. I had to underline the last couple of sentences because you need to understand that this is the benefit to a relationship. Jesus says,” you come close to me and I’ll come close to you.” Don’t get me wrong He loves us regardless even when we haphazardly pursue Him. However, there is something about our willingness to be obedient to Him that opens up doors to our purpose. Continue seeking Him, and follow the blueprint. (Tip: Make sure your plans are the same plans that the Lord has for you.)
2. Understand the difference between a career and your purpose.
Career is defined as an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress. Purpose is defined as the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
I don’t know about you, but my spirit got excited when I finally made a distinction between my career path versus the path that was purposed for me. I was raised to give life to a career, and not my purpose. The Lord literally showed me that I was living to work for someone else’s vision. Not that I couldn’t be impactful in that atmosphere, but that it was not something that should be taking up a significant period of my life. He purposed me to own a business that connects biblical principle and self-care. He revealed to me that in order to be the best version of His creation I had to understand that as it is natural it is also spiritual. That self-care happens from the inside to the outside, and that he had purposed me to help others to make the distinction so that they can be their best in the kingdom. When he showed me that I made a decision to no longer follow a career, but to breathe life into what I was created to do. My purpose is the very reason why I exist. It’s my contribution to the kingdom, and it was made just for me. (Tip: NEVER compare your purpose to someone else’s. Even if they’re in the same industry as you. God made you unlike anyone else, and your portion is just as significant to the kingdom as your brothers/sisters in Christ)
3. Work your PASSION. Faith without works is DEAD.
Now that you’ve sought the Lord. (Tip: Don’t stop seeking Him after he takes you to a new place. Keep seeking Him intentionally. Never stopping.) He’s revealed to you what your purpose consists of; it’s time to Work Your PASSION. One definition of passion is “intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction.” When people try to figure out what they will be doing for the rest of their life you will often hear people ask them “what are passionate about?” They’re looking for the thing or act that drives you to continue to master it or grow in it. For some their passion may be to sing, write, build, play video games, repair credit, motivate others. Whatever area you thrive in naturally is worth you going to God in prayer to seek counsel to confirm if this is where you find purpose. If He’s already shown you your purpose then it’s time to put in work for you’re passion. You know the difference between doing something you’re passionate about vs something you’re not. Your level of desire to still pursue it when obstacles come your way. When you’re not passionate about something, and obstacles come your way. You’re fighting to overcome those obstacles isn’t as impactful as it would be if it were something that you were drawn to be connected too. Have faith in God in your passion, and work it. (Tip: Continually perfect your craft. Breathe life into it. Seek God first. He knows your next step in the blueprint.)
Find your purpose. Allow Jesus to be your first decision when journeying towards your purpose. Stop living for someone else’s vision, and live for the vision God has given you. Father God under the sound of my voice I decree that the blueprint for everyone who’s reading this post vision will manifest itself. I pray that as they live intentionally for you that you will transform their lifestyle. I pray that they will willingly surrender everything and everyone that combats who and what you’ve purposed them to do. I pray that you will open doors no man can open, and close doors no man can close. I pray that their plans begin to come into alignment with your plans for their lives. I pray that they will fall out of agreement with their flesh. I pray that their lifestyle will be one that is pleasing to you. Lord, you’re able to do it. In faith, it’s already done. In Jesus name, Amen.
Live on purpose people of God. Blessings.
Mindful of Me 