| Career and Life's Purpose
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Portraits by Jocelyn M. Artistic Photography © 2007
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By no means am I proclaiming to be an expert. All I can do is be transparent to you so that you glean some wisdom from my journey.
I’ve started many companies. In the beginning, I did not seek God first when making decisions. I conceived the success and notoriety with a spiritual swagger, even though God did not give me permission to do it. I was gaining the world by losing my soul and nearly missed my destiny. Success can be taught, but the sign of real life is peace. That is what was missing from my world.
I knew I had to make a bold and radical change. It was time for me to get what I needed to learn from the “season” and move on. I was told that when my life was in alignment, my blessings would flow. I had to stop trying to finish what God already started in my life. God had dried up resources to get me to move on.
God interrupted my life in order for me to be fulfilled.
I was driving one morning listening to the radio after dropping my boys off at school. CeCe Winans was on the Yolanda Adams Morning Show discussing her latest album, speaking about one of the songs she wrote. I don’t remember exactly what she said, but I came away from the interview with the revelation that my life was not about me, it is about me helping others.
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I am valuable, important, and essential to the plans of God.
I officially tied up all loose ends with my business. I started the admission process for Regent University’s Master of Divinity program. While I did not know exactly what to do next, I knew that I needed to wait on God to give me further instructions. I have overcome the need to be affirmed by people, and the fear about what people will feel and say about me. Quite often, I would try to answer life’s problems through natural means when they need to be answered through spiritual means. I would pray daily for guidance and obedience. Meanwhile, I would try to revisit my past mistakes and figure out what exactly I needed to learn from them.
In order to go further with God’s election, I had to learn to forgive myself. My Bishop says that a person who cannot see the ultimate becomes a slave to the immediate. In other words, if I couldn’t see the big picture, I would become a slave to where I am now.
During one of our Bible studies at church, Elder Bernice King led us in corporate prayer. I was released from the shame I was carrying. I suddenly realized that God allowed the expensive business mistakes to happen to me. There was a lesson I needed to learn before he could elevate me to the next level.
While life tragedies may kill our dreams, they are God’s adjustments to our destiny. Failure does not disqualify what God has pre-qualified. By separating myself from my worldly desires and ambitions, I was showing God signs of maturity.
I know that I am more than a conqueror in Jesus Christ. I am a walking manifestation for the invisible God. I am called to have influence in the lives of nations.
I am not worried about how I will earn money, what my job title will be, or what I will do next. I know that as long as I am obedient, God will answer my prayers. I am giving myself permission to receive what I believe.
Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by it’s deceitful desires; to be made new in attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
I pray that you too, will find your purpose and receive all that God has in store for you.
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| Let's Talk about Career and Life's Purpose
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As a person, why is it that we often fall short on fulfilling our purpose?
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DeShawn Snow
New Member
Posts:4
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| 09 Aug 2008 05:57 PM |
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Every other living organism knows its purpose; a dog knows to bark, a tree knows to grow, a fish knows to swim in water.
As a person, why is it that we often fall short on fulfilling our purpose?
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P. RENE
New Member
Posts:3
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| 26 Sep 2008 01:24 AM |
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You know, when starting out on any "purpose driven" missions, I feel that most of us have great intentions UNTIL something or someone goes terribly wrong. Then, our mission changes, unfortunately. Too, I have heard directly from God on a few things and have shared it with someone close to my heart and he discounted it and in turn, I second guessed a mandate or calling. Crazy, I know and feel... I know my Daddi will make it clear for me again, in every way, shape & form and I will be ready! |
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Michelle
New Member
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| 27 Sep 2008 06:27 AM |
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We often fall short on fullfilling our purpose because we allow society and people to determine our purpose and worth, not GOD. |
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ajike1
New Member
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| 27 Sep 2008 07:30 PM |
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For me, it took a long time to first even realize that I have a 'purpose' and now realized hopefully there will be no 'falling short'! |
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JDomonique
New Member
Posts:1
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| 29 Sep 2008 12:35 AM |
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I totally agree with what has already been said. We often fall short on fulfilling our purpose because we become so dependent on what other's think, i.e. family members, friends, etc. We listen to the opinions of other's rather than relying on that inner voice within us all and continuing to pray to our God seeking out the guidance.
This is something at 29, I have struggled with for quite some time and working to figure out now. I relocated to Alpharetta, GA a year ago to get married and that went sour. So now, I'm living in an area with no family and very little friends understanding my purpose in remaining here. All I have been doing is praying to find those answers.
Peace & Blessings,
JDomonique |
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MBADIVA
New Member
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| 30 Sep 2008 07:33 PM |
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Ladies.. I agree totally with what each one of you guys are saying.. I will say from a personall stand point that the reason I have fallen short on fulfilling my purpose in the past was because I allowed what other thought of me to hinder my thought process,and as much as I hate to admit fear.. I know that God has NOT given us a spirit of fear..But I find myself being afraid to think out side the box. Iam a 30 year old single woman who lives a very private decent life here in the DFW area(Dallas,Texas) I just received my Masters Degree in June and had started the MBA program in July,but after much prayer and thought I withdrew from school last week.. and Iam going back and taking tackling my purpose that I have here in life. Iam destined to be an Attorney.. I long to be an advocate for people especially abused children, and the poor. I want to be that voice speaking for them def in the senate. so that is my reason as to why I had fallen short.. But NO MORE!!! Iam getting what is mines through hard work and dedication and believing in my self at all times. |
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destin4grtness
New Member
Posts:2
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| 10 Oct 2008 01:18 AM |
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I think we often fall short because we don't know who we are, especially women. We tend to look to every available outside force to validate us. I know this had been true for me for many many years. But thank God for His grace and mercy. I think the worse things in life to be live without a purpose. There's definitely nothing wrong with wanting the best clothes, homes, etc. but it's all meaningless if you have no clue of who you are without all of those things. Who are you when the lights are out, when the party is over, when all of your friends are gone? What would you say to someone if they asked "Who are you?" Not what you do, where you live, who you're married to , but WHO ARE YOU? Also, there's a lack of preparation and guidance. I grew up just feeling my way just taking information from here and there. Much of it was no good for me. In 2008 there's no need for young people (or anyone for that matter) to be just feeling their way through life. There is too much information available to them. It just has to presented in a positive and practical way. I feel that my life purpose is the help girls and young women to not make some of the same mistakes that I've made. We must teach them to value themselves and to learn who they are in Christ Jesus. <img src=/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/_default/emoticons/tongue.gif width=20 height=20> |
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YVETTE
New Member
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| 15 Oct 2008 03:59 AM |
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I think a lot of times we fall short. I s because we have allow our self to fall short when we should not have. We see things but we ingore it over and over again.As well as allowing people to help make the mistake of falling short. which is amd excuess. But we do. I agree with the last comment we look for people to validate us. I thank God for being First in my life. And not care what people think or say. As woman we hate on eachother. |
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tamstyles
New Member
Posts:1
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| 15 Oct 2008 06:52 AM |
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I just turned 30. I am still trying to figure it out. I am glad I found this site. I wrote a note to my family today telling them that mama/wife was on strike. I feel so overwhelmed at times in my own head. My husband is the best man I know. But I want take pressure off of him and put it on me so that he doesnt have to worry about things. But then when I get to much on my plate I am mad at the house! I just dont know "today". |
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Fierce07
New Member
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| 15 Oct 2008 07:45 AM |
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Recently, I've been at a point were i just dont know what i thought i wanted or whats next for me...I know I've great passion but being a recent grad its been very difficult to capture what I've always had and demostrated in myself. So im not sure if its my environment but my willingness is at heart its just taking me a little longer to receive or notice the breakthrough that's in store for me! |
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Kellie
New Member
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| 15 Oct 2008 02:39 PM |
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I believe that as human beings, due to our human nature,we are distracted by various circumstances and temptations that other creatures do not have. For example, I had a strong desire to help those who are less fortunate and I have built my career around this principle. Along the way, I have been distracted by divorced and I became a single parent. During that time, I suffered from anxiety and depression which deterred me from being useful to others......including my son. I did not know how to let go of feelings of resentment, anger and bitterness until I rededicated myself to the Lord.
I turned to the Bible and read every scripture that I could find and even though I struggled along the way, it led me to a place of peace which eventually led me to realize my purpose in life which is helping those who are less fortunate with financial empowerment. This need is EXTREMELY relevant now due to our nation's economic crisis because the poor and the working class poor have fallen through the cracks.
Thank you for providing this online forum to share ideas and to encourage one another. I really appreciate it and have a blessed day!
- Kellie |
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SisterGirl
New Member
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| 15 Oct 2008 04:33 PM |
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I just would like to take the time to thank you Mrs. Snow and all of you ladies for your comments. I can relate to alot of what you all have said. I am one who loves to assist people, young, old, white, black it doesn't matter. We are all created equal in my book. But up until I read most of your comments I was letting myself slip into a place of selfishness because I am going through a divorce and it seems as though all he wants is to inflict pain on me by literally using the ones (my children) that matter to me most. But I have to keep being the person that God has guided me to be and not let anyone change who he has lead me to be. So Thank you my sisters for sharing your lives with me and letting me take what I need to make my life continue to flourish. Quanita  |
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Favored
New Member
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| 15 Oct 2008 05:11 PM |
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I believe that everything in life including “purpose” relates to belief in, for me, God. Finding purpose in God will lead to finding purpose in life. I have heard many say: “think of what it is that you like to do and there you may find your purpose”. But how fickle we are as people: we like this, we may not like you, and we want this…..(add TODAY after each statement).
Many live life based on emotion and out of the will of God this could mean missed opportunity that could hinder purpose. As with serving God, PURPOSE should not be based on emotion or feeling but SHOULD be carried out with PASSION. We love God because He first loved us and gave His life to prove it…..PASSION! What provokes passion in you? Finding this will ensure that giving up will not be an option when it gets hard.
To find life’s purpose: Find purpose in God through spending time with Him, get to know Him and the inevitable will happen, YOU’LL WILL GET TO KNOW YOURSELF……sounds so refreshing.
Much could be said but I will stop here. Great question!
CAPITALIZATION = emphasis not yelling
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sunshine
New Member
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| 15 Oct 2008 07:16 PM |
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Ladies, we are more powerful than some of us will ever know. I think that's why from the very beginning the world starts to pounce on us to convince us that we are worth much less than we are. I was abandoned by my husband and left to raise our two daughters alone. I felt so horrible it was beyond words. But in that moment of pain, I cried out to God. And kept seeking Him each day and reading His Word. I soon resolved that I will not be a struggling single mother! I will not work two jobs and leave my kids to fall through the cracks. I HAD to rely on God's help because my entire family abandoned me. And guess what, God came through. Now, I am making over 6 figures without a college degree. I work from home over 50% of the time. And this is ALL God's doing!! So ladies, when we forgive, God can take any mess and turn it into a masterpiece. I am a witness.
Deshawn, thanks for using your platform to Shine the Light of Jesus!!!!!!! |
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MO
New Member
Posts:2
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| 15 Oct 2008 08:08 PM |
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I believe we as people often fall short of our purpose for several reasons. We first do not ask the Lord to speak and reveal what it is in his plan for us to do or we ask and once it is revealed, we are not obedient to it. People often are not focused on the right things to help them serve there purpose and load their lives with distractions, situations and take the long path to a purposeful life. The grace of God allows us to do this all while we fall and get back up repeatedly until we surrender to his will. The good thing about this is that we learn along the way....either willingly or unwillingly. I am now 38 years old and as I look back over my life I thank God for opening my eyes and allowing me to see the mistakes I made, the bad decisions carried out, how I...I repeat I made some things harder than they had to be in my life, sometimes by merely ignoring what God has shown me or choosing to put my own " spin " on it to make myself feel better. I know I have so much more to learn but now I am open to what God has to show me. I am a willing participant in my life now. I used to " live " for my children, now I live for all of us and God whispers to me whenever I sit still to listen and reveals bits and pieces of what my purpose in this world is. My mind and heart was so cluttered with bitterness,unforgiveness, rejection, anger, frustration, self pity and confusion I could never really hear him in the past. Sistahs...I am a work in progress but yet in still I have willingly ( and sometimes just being obedient to his word ) cleared out some of these strongholds and I can hear God much more clearly now. I feel so much stronger now and I know fear is part of people not fulfilling purpose as well. I constantly talk to my children with an immense amount of brutal honesty so they can get that " lightbulb" moment a lot sooner than I did. So what I didn't have anybody to do that for me.....God blessed me with his children and it is my duty to share his word and my experiences as a result of not putting HIM first in the past with them.
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NRB
New Member
Posts:2
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| 15 Oct 2008 10:24 PM |
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My experience has been...I don't know what my purpose is. How can one walk in it, if their unsure? I’m currently on this awesome spiritual journey where I'm taking time out of the day to seek God, read my word and listen to Him re: my Purpose. I know what's in my heart to do re: my career; but I'm not sure if this in my purpose, or if He wants me to pursue this career. I'm moving forward in it b/c I have a peace about it. I guess... that's my assurance. Although, I still would like to now directly from Him, if this is in fact His Will.
FYI - It's good to spk to ppl who LIVE the Word of GOD!
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Destined4Greatness
New Member
Posts:2
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| 16 Oct 2008 04:12 AM |
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DeShawn, I can only speak for myself as it relates to this topic. I personally have felt the void of not knowing what I was purposed for in this life. For many of years I thought my purpose was only to just know God. I do realize that it is important to know him personally, yet I now realize that there is also a higher calling for our lives. Relationship is a very big factor in knowing what our purpose is. I am reminded as you stated how we as people tend to go through life searching for the hand of God rather than seeking Gods face which ultimately brings purpose in our lives b/c it is through the relationship that we build with him that allows us to ultimately live out our purpose. It is when we get into the secret place that God speaks to us. When we spend time alone in his presence, that is when we allow the Holy spirit to dwell therein and to show us the plans that God has for us. Because we are not attentive we tend to miss what he is trying to impart into our spirits. We have become so consumed with the worlds way of thinking and how things are to be done from a worldly mindset that we are missing it. God is speaking as he has always, but because of disobedience and the lack of desire to spend time in his presence this delays the process of one knowing what they are purposed for in life. It's never too late, God is waiting! He loves when we commune with him. He is our Daddy!!!!!!!!
God Bless you DeShawn for having the heart of God! He honors your faithfulness!!!!! Be Blessed my Sister!!!!!
Love Ya,
LMM |
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Wendy
New Member
Posts:2
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| 16 Oct 2008 07:26 PM |
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For me personally as I continuously work on growing closer in my relationship with my father, I think I fall short because of my flesh. I allow things to upset me that should not upset me or I don't always exercise the patience that I should. Then as I have come into a new realm that I've never experienced before which is sacrificing something so that I can hear from God or better known as fasting, the more temptations there are...however, I have been successful in many areas of my life by denouncing the devil and claiming my lord and savior Jesus Christ as the head of my life and everyday of my life I chant throughout the day "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", Phillipians 4:13 All God wants for us is to come to him and give him a try....and why not? We continously seek out worldly ways of doing things and fail, or we may even have a hint of success, but think about if we were to fully commit our lives to God....oh, how awesome!!!!!!!!! Glory, Thank you Jesus...I tell you, what I've been experiencing over the past 30 days is miraculous. If even try God, imagine the doors that are awaiting (they are there, open...just waiting on us to align ourselves). |
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Wendy
New Member
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| 16 Oct 2008 07:33 PM |
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Hello JDomonique...first understand that GOD brought you there not for the marriage that didn't work out...but you are going to have to be still and wait on him to give you the purpose...he will reveal this to you. I too, moved to a strange city for what I thought was love...the silly things flesh makes us do, right...well, I'm in Detroit needless to say and I'm a Georgia girl true and through! But my purpose here is being revealed slowly more and more...as I continue to trust God and obey him, he is revealing my purpose. I had an aunt speak to me about our family and what God told her was that I am the ambassador for our family...I have two uncles and a few cousins here...none of which are super close, but I feel that my uncles who are up in age are my obligation...not only because they are my mother's brothers but I want to bring them closer. I love family and being away from my Georgia family who has always been close knit to coming here and everyone being estranged...has been a struggle for me, but I'm working it day by day. Just hold on...God is going to give you the answers you seek. May God bless you. |
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Patricia
New Member
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| 17 Oct 2008 04:31 AM |
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Well I believe everyone has a purpose, but sometimes things happen to change there path. For example I was in college in 1986 at Delaware State, I didn't finish, but I did go back to technical college to get my LPN diploma and have been a nurse for 11 1/2 years, I have a Georgia license, N.H. license, and I did have a N.J. license but let it expire. But I have been in school for two years taking classes online for my degree in psychology and minor in sociology I will finish in 2010, then I want to further my education. I believe in doesn't matter if you get off your path as long as you find the way back to the path that is for you. Things just happen and as humans we make mistakes but God gives us the wisdom to help us be the people he wants us to be, not what we want to be. May God bless you Deshawn! |
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