it’s no mistake
photo credit: Victoria Volkova @victoriavolkova
“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16).
Do you believe you are here, at this moment in time, in the world right now, for a specific purpose that only you can fulfill?
Do you believe this for your children and your grandchildren too?
If you do, that’s great! You are ahead of most in our world today. I mean this with all sincerity, count your blessings, because knowing that is foundational to living a life of meaning and with purpose, and it’s critical for encouraging and building up this next generation or two.
If you don’t believe this as an adult, then how can we expect the younger generations to believe this truth?
I’m not trying to shame anyone who doesn’t. In fact, I would be hard pressed to believe we all don’t question our purpose from time to time.
However, overall, if you don’t know and believe this truth deep down in the fabric of your being, then I would like to encourage you to know and believe the following truths from God’s word about you.
You were created by God.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
If God knew you before He formed you then He has a purpose for you.
You are a creation of the creator!
· For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. – Psalm 139:13
· For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10
photo credit: Josh Bean @jtbean
You were created to live with purpose.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – (Jeremiah 29:11)
The fact that God saw a place specifically for YOU when He created this world indicates that he plans for you to not only survive, but to thrive.
You are here to make an impact in this generation you were born into. The world needs your gifts, your words of wisdom and encouragement.
God chose you. So, your God-given purpose is secure.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”– (John 15:16)
This is where today’s world and it’s misdirected definition of purpose can wreak havoc on us. Social media compels us to get wrapped up in the comparison game.
Comparison is a trick of our enemy Satan. Comparison makes us believe that God created everyone else BUT us with a purpose.
Comparison tells us that we have nothing to offer. We aren’t unique enough, that we have zero gifts or talents to offer this world.
God’s word says you are chosen and equipped. You have all you need to walk in purpose.
Your purpose will bear fruit.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
When you are secure in God’s truths that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and indeed have a specific purpose, you can be confident your purpose will bear fruit.
This confidence allows you the confidence to step out boldly and walk in your purpose.
You glorify God by living with purpose.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)
Everything we do should point to Jesus. Lean into God and His strength to achieve your dreams, remembering He created you for such a time as this and He will be faithful to establish His plans through you.
photo credit: Gift Habeshaw @gift_habeshaw
Some key suggestions to finding God’s purpose in your life…
Ø Believe you have a purpose.
Ø Be still. Get quiet before the Lord and listen for His voice.
Ø Be mindful. Walking with purpose does not exclude fellowship with God. They are not mutually exclusive.
Ø Be intentional. Living with purpose is an intentional choice. It’s a declaration that God is not a god of coincidence, but rather an intentional God with a well thought out plan for your life.
Ø Be present. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and his conviction. God’s timing is perfect.
Ø Be patient don’t run ahead but see God in the now
Folks, we have a generation or two coming up behind us that DESPARATELY need people they know to believe that none of us are a mistake.
They need us to love and to lead them, but we cannot lead them if we don’t know this truth ourselves.
We must believe we are no mistake, and that God intentionally designed and created each and every single one of us.
God has a purpose for us right here, right now in this generation, and in this specific time.
According to several studies, today’s youth are not aware of, or at best, unsure of their reason for being here.
Many cannot understand and see no specific reason or purpose why they were born right now in this specific time or generation.
But the GREAT NEWS, is that they are curious and open, and they are searching for answers. They are inquisitive and not apathetic.
I’ve said this many times throughout various blogs.
God is NOT a god of coincidence!
Read scripture. Time and time again God reveals that He is a methodical creator.
His every act is intentional.
Our children and our grandchildren, the youth of today are here for a God given reason, and we need to encourage them and support them as they search for their purpose.
photo credit: Yannis H @yansphotobook
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to beEverybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to~Whitney Houston
The children are our future, and I for one believe in my children and our grandchildren to bring about a revival in this land.
I have faith that God has very specific purposes for each of them, and as the generation ahead of them, it is my job to pray over, to lead, to mentor, and to be a part of their lives and their world.
My child rearing days might “officially” be over, but God never tells the older generations they are done once their children are raised.
“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” (Titus 2:1-5)
photo credit: Paolo Bendandi @paolobendandi
I am called upon by God, as part of my purpose, to step up to the plate because if I don’t often times they will be led astray by the wrong kind of influencers.
As I researched this and thought about my role, I combined some of my personal ideas with some I found on-line, and I created a list I thought might start as a springboard for you too.
Five ways to encourage our youth, to try help them see…
it’s no mistake! They were born for such a time as this!
1. Prayer! Prayer! And more Prayer! Pray over them. Pray with them. Pray for them.
2. Share scriptures with them that will encourage them and give them hope. Point them to multiple places in scripture where God uses “the least of these” to do great things.
Debunk the lies that this world has told them that they have to be sensational in this world to be of value. God and who he chooses to use defies all of that. Show them.
3. Help them uncover, appreciate, believe in, and nurture their God given gifts and strengths.
4. Guide them in determining their passions. Determining your passions often helps you figure out what God has called you to do. It’s often said that God works at the intersection of our gifts and our passions. Where do your gifts meet your passions? That just might be where you find your purpose!
5. Accountability and guidance is key! Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
In other words, God will often help us find our purpose through others.
photo credit: leah hetteberg @leahhetteberg
“God has shaped and prepared you, [our children, and our grandchildren] to play a unique role in each step of your story. You have a destiny that will bring glory to God, share the grace of God, and extend the reign of God. Understanding your unique destiny starts with understanding what the Bible says about your purpose as one of God’s people.”
Clarifying what the Bible says about your purpose helps you in three important ways:
·It declares why you exist. It captures the heart of why you are on this earth and why Jesus died for you.
·It defines your life—not in terms of what you think but what God thinks. It anchors your life in the character and call of God.
· It clarifies the non-negotiables. It identifies what never changes about who you are, regardless of circumstances.
(From,, what-does-the-bible-say-about-your-purpose)Something to Consider: Do you know and believe in your own value and worth? If not, what will you do to change this? Do you have a negative attitude around the youth of today? Will you pray for God to change your heart and give you the desire to step up and into the lives of those who need you? Have you considered mentoring? Don’t you want to be a positive influence in the lives of this generation of kids?
I believe the children are our future! We are called to teach them well so they can one day lead well.
(Some of the five ways to encourage…are paraphrased from, Cornerstone blog-what-is-gods-purpose...)
(Parts of this blog are paraphrased from undoubted grace)
