Why do Christians need to live a life full of intention and purpose?

Because God placed each one of us on this earth for a special reason.

You have a specific mission that only you can complete.

God has given each of us unique dreams, desires, and ideas to help us to fulfill our unique purpose in life (Philippians 2:13). He designed us in His image with the ability to create, visualize, and bring things into existence (Genesis 1:27). Your goal is to determine what God wants you to do with your life – and do it.

To truly be successful in life, our personal goals must line up with God’s goals and plans for our life. God blesses, leads, and guides us only when we choose the path He has chosen for us. If we choose to go our own way, God is not obligated to bless decisions we make without Him.

When setting short-term and long-term goals, seek God to discover who He has created you to be and what He wants you to do (Matthew 7:7-8). Purpose-filled Godly goals should incorporate every part of you – your gifts, skills, knowledge, talent, ideas, and experiences – to help accomplish His Will for your life.

God has given each one of us unique gifts and talents to fulfill the purpose He has pre-destined for our life.

When seeking God’s individual plan for our lives, where do we begin? It helps to know what God thinks concerning your life. When you know God is with you, leading you, and guiding you, you will be more confident to move forward toward your future. Whenever I need a reminder of what God thinks of me, I search the scriptures and recall the many precious promises God has made to His children. In His Word, God has made promises to those who belong to Him, such as:

• He will fight for us (Exodus 14:14)
• He will give us strength when we put our hope in Him (Isaiah 40:31)
• He is with us and He will help us (Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 43:2)
• He will forgive us and purify us (1 John 1:9)
• He has a plan for our future (Jeremiah 29:11)

My future will not happen automatically. I have to pursue God and follow His instructions for my life if I want to receive all that He has for me.

One goal God has for each of us is to help build His Kingdom here on Earth. What gifts, talents, knowledge, and skills do you have that can allow God to be glorified through your life? Remember, He designed you just the way you are for a specific reason. God wants you to use all of your unique God-given attributes to fulfill your purpose and His plan (Ephesians 2:10). For example:

• If you have a love for children, look for volunteer opportunities to help kids in your community.
• If you are skilled at baking, deliver handmade goods to put a smile on someone’s face.
• If you are knowledgeable in a specific topic, teach those who may need help in that area.

God has plans for each of us to succeed in everything we do (Jeremiah 29:11). Therefore, we must be good stewards of our God-given purpose by developing clear action plans for each area of our lives.

As children of God, we are to live in expectation for God to move on our behalf. As you start to pray for your specific goals, be prepared for His favor, prosperity, and blessings to reach every area of your life (Psalm 5:12, Psalm 23:6).

Developing a Godly Plan for Your Future

To begin planning your future in purpose, choose any area of your life and begin to set actionable goals on how to make that area of your life better. For example, if your life goal is to become a doctor, one of your first education goals should be to enroll in college. A financial goal may be to start saving money to go to college.

Life Categories to Consider:

• Prayer/Devotion/Spirituality
• Family/Relationships/Community
• Health/Physical/Fitness
• Finances/Investments/Wealth
• Education/Career/Skills Personal

Having a clear vision of your future will help to keep you focused and on the right track as you pursue after purpose. As you step out in faith and work to fulfill God’s plan, He works alongside you to help you accomplish what you have set out to do (Romans 8:28). Knowing God’s purpose for your life will also strengthen you and give you the confidence to push through and not give up – even in the hardest of times (2 Chronicles 15:7, Galatians 6:9).

Having a clear plan for the future will help you to stay on track.

After God reveals His plan to us, He instructs us to “write the vision” (Habakkuk 2:2-3). Don’t hold back when mapping out and developing your plans. Remember, there is no plan too big or too small for God – and there is nothing that He can’t handle (Jeremiah 32:27).

After you have written all of your plans on paper:

1. Revisit your notes daily.
2. Pray for your guidance, and ask the Lord to continuously give you strength to accomplish all that He has called you to do.
3. Find scriptures that align with your vision board, and meditate on them day and night (Joshua 1:8).
4. As you meditate on the Word, believe by faith that what you have asked of Him will come to past (1 John 5:15).
5. In prayer, thank God in advance for all He has done and will do.
6. Take small action steps each day to begin to reach your goals.