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God has created each of us with a divine and unique purpose. It is for this reason that we have been placed on earth. Unfortunately, many of us never find out what our purpose is, or if we do find out what it is, we never achieve it. Discovering our purpose is the first key to joy and fulfillment in life. Destiny is the fabric of our lives that weaves everything together, so we must answer the question, “What is my destiny and unique purpose?” –Coletta Patterson, “God’s Masterpiece”

Most of us wander aimlessly through life on a road to mediocrity. We never reach our full potential or experience the richness of God’s best. He has a divine plan and path for us to follow, but by our own choosing, we get off course. Distractions are very real—social media, too many friends, a job we were never meant to work, people who mean us no good, good things that rob us from better things, past hurts, and the list goes on. He created you and knows you better than anyone else. So why not ask Him why you are here and what you’re supposed to be doing?

We all have assignments that will bring us fulfillment if we follow God’s road map. Resist the urge to do it your way even if it means getting immediate results that feel good at the time. Don’t give in to the wide road which leads to destruction in the end. I challenge you to discover your purpose—your reason for being here. This is the overarching “theme” in your life. Out of your broad purpose, you will have different assignments that will help you fulfill your purpose. Those assignments change with time and seasons of life, but your purpose and destiny never changes. For example, your purpose may be to help people through counseling. Your assignments may include being a school counselor, counseling couples at your church, or writing a book on how to deal with life’s tough issues. All of those assignments help you fulfill your role of helping people through counseling. Life becomes easier and more fulfilling once you know your purpose and can discern the right assignments for your life.

Discovering Your Purpose:

1. Get to a quiet place.  This means literally going to a place where you are free from distractions which could be a quiet place in your house or outside.  Figuratively, clear your mind of clutter and busyness.  Still your soul (mind, will & emotions).
2. Position yourself to hear from God. Be still in your quiet place.  Forget about the phone.  Leave the homework aside.  Wait for God to speak.  He won’t compete with your distractions.
3. Pray and ask the Lord to speak. He is always speaking, but we have to listen.  Spend some time reading and studying the Word.  The Lord speaks in many ways.  It may come through an idea or thought you can’t get out of your mind.  But this will never go against God’s Word.  It may come through a vivid vision or dream.  It may come through a word spoken from someone else that confirms what you already know to be true or have heard before from the Lord. It may come through a scripture that you’ve read before that really jumps out at you.  Don’t worry about how He speaks, but be ready to listen and receive instruction.
4. Act on what you heard. Put the plan into motion.  Be obedient to what you heard.  The moment the Lord speaks to you, the enemy comes IMMEDIATELY to steal the word or place doubt in your heart.  Resist the urge to run away or to dismiss the plan.  Don’t give in to doubt, fear or unbelief.
5. Continue to walk in it. The results may not be immediate, but keep going.  The race is won by continual forward moving steps.  Adversity and challenges will arise, but keep the end result in mind and you won’t quit.                               *To order God’s Masterpiece: Weaving Together the Pieces of Your Life and learn more about this topic and others that will help you lead a successful life, go to www.redemption-press.com.

~Coletta Jones Patterson