Living Life On Purpose!

Rev. Brent La Prince Edwards, Senior Pastor, St. James AME Church

By Rev. Brent La Prince Edwards

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

Today we live in a society and world where people are hungry for answers and for a deeper meaning and interpretation of life.

Thus, many today are searching, searching, searching for answers that make sense and hopefully scratch the sometimes annoying itch that screams, “Why am I on this planet and what is my life supposed to be about?” And when the answer to such an age-old question can’t be found, sometimes it sends the seeker on a relentless search of probing, experimenting, searching, and trying this or trying that until the seeker finally finds a shoe that fits his or her size! Sometimes this can be to one’s betterment and other times to one’s endangerment.

However, the truth of the matter is that regardless of life’s varying circumstances, none of us lives by accident—we are all born with a purpose! Nevertheless, when we don’t understand our purpose it places us in the danger of going through life aimlessly as nomads sometimes wandering in cycles that seem perpetual and infinite!

Dr. Miles Monroe, a renowned scholar, author, and speaker, once defined
purpose this way. “Purpose is the original intent for which a thing was
created. When one does not understand the purpose of a thing he or she
is subject to abuse it or waste time.” Wow!

For example, suppose I need to hang up a picture in my living room and a
child hands me a microphone instead of a hammer. I will seriously have a
most difficult time getting the job done—and look at the time I may
lose during the whole process! Why? Because the purpose of a microphone
is to amplify one’s voice. Hammers, not microphones, were created to
drive nails into hard and difficult places.

The same principle applies in our discussion on purpose. When we don’t
understand why we exist and what our assignments are in life, it can be
very frustrating. However, here are three keys of encouragement to
finding our purpose.

1. Go back to the manufacturer—the One who created us.

Every artist can explain why he or she created his or her masterpiece.
If I go to a department store and purchase an item and am unclear about
its function or how to put it together, the manufacturer holds the
answers and instructions! Most products have help numbers to call when
consumers get in such ruts. In Psalms 90 the writer found himself in one
of those spots so he went back to God.

2. When purpose is discovered, cultivate it!

To cultivate something is to develop it until it reaches its full
potential. Sometimes in search of purpose we find it in small increments
at “seed” level. That means tiny. This means we may not have all the
answers yet but we’ve got enough to work with and get us started. So
don’t worry about the size! Take care, nurture, get information and
develop what’s in front of you: it will simply amaze you how a tiny seed
can become a bountiful harvest!

3. When steps 1 and 2 are completed, make every moment count.

In other words, live life to the fullest and live life on purpose with
clear direction and focus. When your focus is clear you will know when
to say yes and when to say no! That’s the power of purpose! No more
wasting time in the wrong areas.
Moses, who wrote the 90th Psalm, realized that we’re only on this planet
for a set amount of time. Therefore, understanding the power of purpose
he asked GOD to “teach him to number his days,” or make each day count
so that he may make the best decisions cherishing each moment. Let us
glean from his example and live.

Remember, live life on purpose because your best is yet to come! Celebrate!