“Being successful and fulfilling your life’s purpose are not at all the same thing; You can reach all your personal goals, become a raving success by the worlds standard and still miss your purpose in this life.” ~ Rick Warren
Why do you do what you do in the way that you do it? By giving thought to this simple question, you can gain valuable insight into how clear your purpose is for all the activity in your life. It really is important that we fully understand “why we do what we do in the way that we do it”. The analogy of a farmer comes to mind when I think of framing my daily activity in the context of a “big picture” purpose. The only way a farmer can stay focused and motivated all year long is by keeping the harvest in mind. The harvest is the “big picture” context for his daily activities of plowing, weeding, fertilizing, and planting seeds. It is very clear to a farmer why he does what he does in the way he does it. All of his daily activity serves a very well defined purpose.
As a Christian leader, you too have a harvest to keep in mind. It is above all else, your “big picture” purpose. Will your activity today best serve God’s great purpose for you and your role as a leader? Jesus addressed this very issue in the Sermon on the Mount.
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:15-16 NLT)
God has given you a “lamp” in your role as a leader. You are uniquely positioned to shine for Him. Your work today must be filled with “good deeds” that cause others to glorify God because of you. “Good deeds” are simply your daily activities performed with your “big picture” purpose in mind. God can use you today to shine as a beacon of hope and salvation to those who are trapped in the darkness of this world. Your simple obedience in doing what you do, in the way that you do it, in order to glorify Him, will turn your daily activity into a harvest.
As a leader, your influence will model for others this purposeful perspective in their daily work. Challenge yourself today to view your work as an act of worship that leads others into the presence of God. Fulfilling this purpose is most fulfilling.
Let your light shine today in such a way that people will glorify God because of your good deeds. Keep the big picture in mind and connect the dots by being purposeful: know why you do what you do in the way that you do it and trust God with the outcome.