Authentic Leaders Build Purpose
Define Your Purpose – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Romans 12:3-8

Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:14

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Another critical area for a leader to define in his own life is his God-given gift.  One might look at God’s BIG plan as one big puzzle.  You are a vital piece of the puzzle.  God has given you a purpose to fulfill.  Every believer is given a gift.  The Apostle Paul reminds us in our scripture reading for today that we have different gifts, according to the grace given us (Romans 12:6).

            Authentic leaders learn to draw boundary lines around that gift.  They know that others will try to push them into other jobs.  They learn quickly that life can become “stamping out fires” rather than purposeful living.  If we allow people around us to have their way, we will be running around trying to make everyone happy.  There is truly only One that we must make happy: The Lord Jesus.  We owe our lives to Him, not the people around us.

            It is far from authentic to be saying yes when we want to say no.  It is less than authentic to accept jobs that really have nothing to do with our God-given gifts.  If that job truly needs to be done, God has a gifted follower that needs to be encouraged to step up.  This is not to say we stubbornly refuse to help in areas other than our giftedness, but it does mean we must put our primary energies in our true purpose for living.

Father, thank you for giving me a purpose in this world and a hope for the next.  Grant me courage to stay focused today.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.