“What is my purpose?'' is one of the most common questions asked by man. Innately, within every human being, is a belief that they have been put on Earth for a specific reason; a destiny. This destiny allows them to build and leave a unique legacy in the short time that they have given.
As Christian business leaders, leaving a lasting legacy for the next generation should be our goal. Why then, do so many people depart Earth, still questioning and never truly identifying, their God-given purpose?
Every person is destined for greatness. In fact, the Bible tells us that the steps of righteous men and women are ordered by the Lord (see Psalm 37:23, KJV).
I would propose that the reason we often miss the mark, is because we refuse to pursue our purpose from a position of hunger. Hunger is an unpleasant condition, yet crucial in the process of pulling us from our current situation and thrusting us into all that God has prepared for our lives. Too often, we don’t allow ourselves to get uncomfortable and therefore, we miss the things God has called us to and settle for a far less fruitful life.
Hunger is an unpleasant condition, yet crucial in the process of pulling us from our current situation and thrusting us into all that God has prepared for our lives.
Hunger should be the primary driver for purpose and this is demonstrated through the life of Jesus. Jesus was destined for greatness from the beginning of time, yet there was an obvious moment in His life where He needed to forsake His comfortable life and step into that purpose. Before He performed any miracles, we see Him transitioning into His ultimate purpose by being baptised and committing His life to the service of His father. He then allowed the Holy Spirit to lead Him into the wilderness to be tested. While in the wilderness, Jesus drew close to the Father as He fought off the temptations of Satan. All the while, the Bible says He was “hungry” Matthew 4:2 (NIV).
In preparing for His God-given purpose, Jesus understood the power and importance of physical and spiritual hunger, and embraced the discomfort it caused Him. He knew that it would guide Him to His destiny when the time was right.
Hungry People Do Desperate Things
Extreme natural hunger pushes people to do things that they normally wouldn’t do. In my home, we call this being ‘Hangry’. My wife is usually the most kind and gentle woman, yet when she is hungry, someone else emerges. In that state, there is nothing that will get between her and her food. She will forsake her nature until her hunger has been satisfied!
Just as in the natural, so too in the spiritual. Those who are hungry will be driven to pursue their purpose. The Bible puts it this way:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
The most dangerous place to be is full because when we are in that place, we can surrender to contentment and begin to rely on ourselves. We so easily miss what God is longing to lead us into next. Our life needs to be constantly driven by a relentless hunger for more. God has more, God has destined us and He has promised that He will pour HIS sustenance into us, if we approach Him, hungry.
Those who are spiritually hungry will be driven to pursue their God-given purpose.
I challenge you today, Are you hungry for God to fill you? Do you go to church hungry? Do you go to your small group hungry? Do you walk into your workplace hungry? — Not hungry to succeed in your own strength, of course, but hungry for an opportunity for God to move through you, direct your path and lead you into His ordained purpose.
Pursue Discomfort
Hunger is uncomfortable and contradicts the world’s insatiable pursuit of personal comfort. We are constantly bombarded with the marketing of comfortable cars, comfortable homes, comfortable shoes, comfortable beds and comfortable lifestyles, but the sad reality is that although these things might be enjoyable for a moment, comfort will eventually drive us to mediocrity.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
The only way that we can truly walk into all that God has for us, is to embrace the discomfort of life and celebrate it. Often people go into business in an effort to live comfortably. There’s nothing wrong with that and there’s nothing wrong with success and possessions. However, we will never be fulfilled if personal comfort is our primary goal. Imagine if all that could be said of you at the end of your life was, “He/she retired comfortably”. Would that satisfy the deep longing for purpose within you?
The only way that we can truly walk into all that God has for us, is to embrace the discomfort of life and celebrate it!
You see, before politics, I was pastoring a thriving youth ministry and although we were growing, that place was too comfortable for me. I always knew there may be more for my life, but growing up in the church, I understood that world and I felt comfortable and confident that I could succeed in the role I was in. At the moment when it became very apparent that God had called me into politics, I had a decision to make. Was I going to remain in the comfortable position I was in, or was I going to step out into the scary unknown, trust God and hunger after His purpose for my life?
There was nothing wrong with working in the ministry. I was doing a good thing but God was calling me out of my comfort zone. But it was MY decision as to which direction to go. In Hebrews 11:8, the Bible describes the moment when Abraham stepped out in faith and followed a Word from God, even though he didn’t know where he was going. Not knowing the full picture is uncomfortable, but it tests our faith and develops resilience within us. If we want to break free from mediocrity and pursue all God has for us, we must listen and obey, regardless of how uncomfortable it may feel.
Take a risk!
Business is all about taking a risk. Entrepreneurs are risk-takers. In this sphere of society, risks are not uncommon, however, the reason for the risk varies dramatically between those who desire to leave a lasting impact and those who are content to retire comfortably. What is the primary difference? The hungry pursuit of divine purpose.
As Christians in business, our risk-taking should not be built on the gain of comfort, but instead, risks should be taken so that we might gain impact to change the world. In Hebrews 11:1 (NIV), it says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”. Often we are taught that the opposite of faith is doubt, but I would challenge your thinking today. The opposite of faith is not doubt. It is, in fact, certainty. Certainty of the future is what we crave, but certainty in earthly things removes the need for faith in our lives. Instead of placing our faith in the pursuit of comfort, let’s place our faith in the pursuit of God and His plan for our lives.
Could it be that God so loved your city that He placed YOU there? We cannot be satisfied with mediocrity because there is no purpose to be found there. I chose to follow God’s will and pursue politics because even though it was a risk, I understood that taking a risk on a Word from God was less scary than the risk of disregarding it. I understood that my nation needed to see change and that God was calling me to be an AGENT of that change.
What is it that you are standing for?
Could it be that God so loved your city that He placed you there?
Your decisions will either be about making noise or making a contribution. The hungry pursuit of purpose gives us the courage and faith to step out boldly. Even the wrong actions of a hungry man will have more impact than the non-actions of someone who is comfortable.
Your decisions will either be about making noise or making a contribution. The hungry pursuit of that change, gives courage and faith to step out.
Only 2% of the Church are in full-time ministry. As for the other 98% of us, God has also commissioned us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:17-20, NIV). In the pursuit of purpose, we cannot afford to spectate from a comfortable position. We have to get hungry for the things of God, pursue discomfort and take a risk. Even if all you know is the first step, have faith because you are a seed God has sown into your industry that is destined to see a change in the world!
"Mmusi Maimane - Former Opposition Leader of South Africa"
Key Points
- Being in a position of hunger enables us to thrive in all that God has prepared for us.
- When we embrace the discomfort and celebrate it, we are able to truly walk in all that God has for us.
- It is up to you to ensure that your decisions make a contribution, rather than just noise.
