In His priestly prayer toward the end of His mission on earth, Jesus speaks to the Father, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” John 17:4.
Likewise, as disciples of Jesus following His example, we glorify God by completing the work He’s given us to do. God told us in His word that we are His workmanship created to walk in the good works, which He prepared in advance. The question remains for some of us, how do we discover this ultimate purpose, which He prepared in advance for us personally? Or better yet, how do we get there?
Recently, I had the opportunity to listen to a powerful, dynamic teacher, Dr. Lance Wallnau, who has completed a lifetime of research on organizational and personal transformation. He desires to encourage others to find their purpose and fulfill that one thing God has called them to do. Since this relates to what we teach here at Greater Reach Ministries through our Who Do You Think You Are? Class, I’d like to share some highlights of his insightful and articulate teaching.
First, He mentioned a study from Fuller Seminary graduates. The study concluded that 80% of Fuller Seminary graduates, at the peak of their career, had not reached their ultimate purpose. He then defined convergence to be the place where your passion, divine gifting, and divine timing meet. It’s the place where you are at your affinity, your calling and your ultimate purpose for the Kingdom. In convergence, you will experience divine favor. This means that people will be drawn to you because of a quality of God in you. People who are given divine favor are usually those who have “an extraordinary dialogue with heaven”.
First, He mentioned a study from Fuller Seminary graduates. The study concluded that 80% of Fuller Seminary graduates, at the peak of their career, had not reached their ultimate purpose. He then defined convergence to be the place where your passion, divine gifting, and divine timing meet. It’s the place where you are at your affinity, your calling and your ultimate purpose for the Kingdom. In convergence, you will experience divine favor. This means that people will be drawn to you because of a quality of God in you. People who are given divine favor are usually those who have “an extraordinary dialogue with heaven”.
So, how do we reach this place of divine favor and maximizing our gifts and passions? According to Dr. Wallnau, it will be appointed to you by God at the right time. God is the one who puts you into the future. It’s not something you achieve, but it’s something that He does in you and for you. Dr. Wallnau feels that everyone is in a season of “process” until they reach their destiny, where they also may experience many pressures of preparation.
Are you currently in a difficult season, and anxious to arrive at your convergence? He encouraged and exhorted us by reminding us that God shakes our circumstances to refine our gifts for our purpose. You’re also defining your passion. Jesus’ passion was the sheep. He laid down His life for His sheep. In order to lay down your life, there has to be something you love more than your own life. You’re also developing your skills now, and if you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough.
Are you currently in a difficult season, and anxious to arrive at your convergence? He encouraged and exhorted us by reminding us that God shakes our circumstances to refine our gifts for our purpose. You’re also defining your passion. Jesus’ passion was the sheep. He laid down His life for His sheep. In order to lay down your life, there has to be something you love more than your own life. You’re also developing your skills now, and if you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough.
Dr. Wallnau feels that anyone can be happy in their current circumstance if they make a connection between what they are going through now and their ultimate destiny. He shared that most people quit because they don’t understand the process. God is using your current pressures for your own promotion. He can relieve the pressure, and release you from your potential, or he can leave it and see if you crack. He feels that this process involves a stretching of who you are to give you greater identity. Dr. Wallnau provided the example of Joseph’s challenging process, which led Him to His promotion.
Obviously waiting is active, so, what can we do in our walk with God during the process to help us prepare? If, like Joseph, God has given you a vision for the future, during your season of “process”, you can look to that next level. Ask yourself what are the characteristics of those currently at the next level? Who will I have to become that I’ve never been before? You can also ask yourself, who will God have to be for me that He’s never been before once I get there? This is the character you can begin to develop with the Lord during your process. Remember, you are God’s workmanship, and He is working in you to develop you for this next level. It’s in His timing, not our own, that you will arrive. Feel like quitting? Of course, God gives grace and will love you just the same, but you will be missing out on the satisfaction of living a purposeful life for His glory!
--By Alyssa Spitale
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