Purpose and Productivity
To Increase Productivity Clarify Purpose
People like you who want to make the most of their life are interested in being productive. That desire comes from God; it is hardwired into you by the Creator.
“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule…” (Genesis 1:27–28).
The first words God spoke to humans were words of blessing, and those words from God, carrying His power, enable us to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue it, and rule it under His guidance.
Those, my friend, are productivity words. God wants you to accomplish the purposes He designed for you. He wants you to know the joy He Himself experiences in dreaming, designing, and doing.
God created you to succeed in fulfilling your unique purposes.
Purpose Shows You Where to Focus
All influencers (yes that includes you) are to some degree dreaming visionaries. All of us do better when we have a clear vision of what could be in front of us. Vision is so important that God even says without it people perish or just wander in life (Proverbs 29:18).
I have read and heard enough material from non-Christian leaders who encourage us to create our own vision and simply follow our heart. But how sad would it be to invest your whole life in pursuing a dream and find out that it was all a big waste? 1 John 2:17 tells us the only things that will last in eternity are those things done according to the will and purposes of God.
It is very possible to create something that is amazing according to our world’s standards and totally miss what GOD put you here to do.
Your Biggest Purpose and Productivity Step Already Happened
For a Christian, the biggest step in living your purposes has already happened. You are united with Christ, who is eternal life. You have a relationship with God and His life — His eternal, abundant life — is in you.
That enables you to know and fulfill the other purposes He has planned. When you make God’s purposes your purposes, God will guide you. When you delight in him, He will put desires in your heart (Psalm 37:4). So even your desires become a strong indicator of what He wants you to do.
Purpose Energizes
Important work almost always takes time. Buildings, churches, businesses, schools, and skills take periods of time and effort. And one of the biggest reasons great endeavors are not accomplished is because people quit. Or if they don’t quit totally, they lose momentum and hardly make progress.
Unfortunately, this happens all the time.
One of the biggest motivators that keep us moving forward is our purpose vision. Hebrews 12 tells us that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. He looked ahead at what His pain and suffering would accomplish, and it gave Him the strength to endure.
When you have God-imparted purpose and vision, when you can see what your effort, sacrifice, and perseverance can turn into reality, it gives you energy and motivation. It is hard to push through the tough times, to fight the Goliath’s of the world, to keep on going when you’re tired.
But if yo can see at some of the good that will come out of it, fresh strength shows up.
Purpose Will Be Challenged
I have never, not once, heard of a great ministry, business, or individual who did not face daunting hardships on their way to success. Walt Disney mortgaged his home to help raise the money he needed for one of his new projects. For a period of time, he actually ate dogfood because he had so little money. And major lack and suffering are much more common than you think for dream doers.
There are Jesus followers in many nations today who go to prison in order to follow Christ. In some countries their church buildings are burned down and they are considered illegal if they meet to worship Jesus. But they keep going because they have purpose; they have a vision from God to expand His kingdom and help people follow Jesus.
Purpose will be challenged, but when purpose is strongly anchored in your soul, it will make you more productive doing the right things.
If you want more resources in living the Jesus-Centered, Jesus-Empowered Life take a look at www.TruVineMission.com
If you want more training and support in living your God-given purposes go to www.MarkFurlongCoaching.com
