I Am Clear on My Purpose: A Morning Meditation Series by Bwfwoman

Scriptures: Isaiah 54:17, Ephesians 3:20, Luke 21:19, Joshua 1:8

Distraction. It’s the number one reason so many aren’t living our full purpose daily. 

We’re faced with distractions daily, from going shopping for paper towels and returning home with an entire outfit (what happened to just getting paper towels?) to more serious instances of realizing the entire day went by without an intentional connection with God. It happens to us all! 

Distraction works to move you continually and erratically from place to place in your thought life, preventing you from becoming concentrated. Fulfilling your purpose correlates with your ability to focus and become concentrated. Over these ten days, we’ll move away from distraction and deeper into purpose by focusing on God. Your purpose is a primary reason God created you. 

By understanding what God intended when He created you, you know yourself better, and you’ll learn the ability to fulfill your purpose is within you. The distractions around you may have limited your focus on your purpose in the past—but beginning today, you can decide to be intentional over these ten days, finish this plan, and walk deeper into your purpose and fulfillment! 

After going through a devastating divorce and losing everything—including my material possessions and my self-worth—God brought me (and continues to bring me) deeper into a concentrated purpose through the two simple steps below. He caused my purpose to blossom, restored my sense of well-being, created this beautiful community we enjoy, and continues to provide exceedingly and abundantly above all I can ask or think. 

The two steps below have become foundational to everything I now share with others. 

What’s the best way to show up daily? With Christ in the center. To do this, decide today to adopt these two transformational steps: 

• Step 1: Clear space. You must start by making room for yourself. This means creating healthy boundaries with people and delegating responsibilities to others who can help themselves. Realize that it’s not your job to fix everything and everyone. You deserve a space of time each morning to dedicate to God and yourself. 
• Step 2: Fill that space with God. Begin to take greater control over your time, even if it means getting up 30 minutes earlier in the morning. Find a quiet place in your home, get a journal and a pen, and welcome God’s presence through praise. Quiet yourself and your mind. Ask God, “What would you like me to know today?” Write down what you hear, feel and think. Remember, God will always confirm His Word, so you should also see and find confirmation for what you hear in the Bible. Remember that prayer is talking to God, but meditation (Joshua 1:8) is listening to God and His words. You need both talking and listening in any healthy relationship. 

These steps may sound simple, but many people miss them due to distraction. As a result, most aren’t maximizing the profoundly intimate closeness available with our Savior or going deeper into their purpose. We’ll go deeper into your purpose tomorrow, but for now, know that God’s desire is for you to prosper through His tender loving kindness in your life. Take the step to keep moving towards Him. It will change your life! 

Today’s Affirmation:

Today, I am seeing God more clearly. The distractions are fading, and the desire to experience God’s presence grows stronger. I can feel a pull towards God in my heart. His grace and mercy are following me, and He has gone before me to prepare my way today. I receive wisdom to create healthy boundaries. I embrace the fact that God wants me to spend time with Him so that He can bless me, reviving my spirit again and again. I am refreshed and renewed! 

Question of the Day:

How can I rearrange my morning to spend more time with God? How (and to whom) can I delegate tasks that consume my morning? How can I listen more deeply?

Scriptures: Jeremiah 1:5, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Matthew 5:16, Genesis 12:2-3, Deuteronomy 8:18

Purpose is defined as the reason something exists. How often have you heard someone say, “I wish I could find my purpose!” Here’s the good news—you don’t have to find your purpose because it was never lost. The purpose was assigned to you when God created you. 

For a long time, I searched for my purpose. I thought I would find it in the college I chose to attend, my marriage, the words my mentor spoke, and many other places outside me. 

Through God’s revelation gained during my morning devotional time, I learned that God planted purpose inside of all of us when He created us. While there is a serving opportunity and ways to experience your purpose in external places, the source of your purpose is inside you. 

Today, we’ll touch on our shared Kingdom Purpose, and tomorrow we’ll dive deeper into your Specific Purpose. 

Our Kingdom Purpose
As Believers, we all share the same Kingdom Purpose. God created humanity for a purpose in His Kingdom and placed us in our particular time and place with intention so we could fulfill that purpose. The Bible tells us our Kingdom Purpose, which has three parts: 

1. To glorify God. Our primary Kingdom Purpose is to bring glory to God in all we do every day. God created us with free will, and when we use that will to live the way He desires, giving credit to Him for the blessings in our lives, and pointing others to Him instead of taking the credit for successes ourselves, it brings Him glory. 

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 

2. To be a blessing to all the families of the earth. God also established us with a purpose to bless others. This is a part of a healthy spiritual ecosystem of giving and receiving, both of which are necessary and result in you being blessed AND blessing others. If you don’t feel blessed, my question is, “Where are you giving?” 

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2–3 

3. To establish God’s kingdom on earth, confirming His covenant. Part of our responsibility as believers is to help spread the truth of God’s Word in this world. If you’ve ever opened a curtain in a dark room, you’ve noticed how even a small opening illuminates the room to a degree. Where you couldn’t see anything, you now can see something. Our work as believers is to open the “curtain” so God’s love can come in, illuminating everything and causing others to see Him as the truth. We do this by being loving, like our Father, until a dark place becomes illuminated, and when it is, we use the wealth God has given us through our resources—our time, money, and energy—to share more about Him, pointing others His way. 

“But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” Deuteronomy 8:18 

If all you did daily was to find ways to glorify God, bless others, and help share the truth about God with someone, you would be living in your purpose. Commit to incorporating these three elements of purpose in your life, and your emotional, mental, and spiritual health will immediately increase. You’ll feel better every day because you’re living in your purpose. 

Today’s Affirmation:

I am a part of God’s family, and, as a result, He has gifted me with purpose today! I am enlightened, I am elevated, and I am enriched! I choose to bring glory to God with my thoughts and actions. I know that God is pleased when I glorify Him. I receive the light of God in my life today as I look for ways to bless others. I give, and I receive, which allows me to give even more. I am blessed and empowered to create wealth—more time, money, and energy to help point others to Him so they can be blessed too. 

Question of the Day:

Which of the three areas of purpose do you have the greatest opportunity to improve? How will you begin today?

Scriptures: 1 Peter 4:10, Proverbs 18:16, Philippians 4:11, Genesis 13:14-17

When was the last time someone complimented you on something you always do well, and you shrugged it off because it didn’t seem like a big deal? Maybe you are a great administrator; you sing well; you excel at bringing people together; you organize things easily, or you are a creative who makes beautiful things that bring others happiness. 

Your ability to do things easily and well is a gift from God. You’ve been supernaturally blessed to perform in that area, and it’s a BIG DEAL. It’s a key insight into your specific purpose. 

However, your gift, by itself, isn’t the full picture of your specific purpose. God has allowed you to overcome some specific challenges as well. These challenges have created empathy in your heart for others who have gone through the same thing. You know what that challenge was like, and because you overcame it, you have insight into how those experiencing it can overcome it. This empathy is a portal to God’s love. 

The Definition of Your Specific Purpose

Your specific purpose is discovered at the intersection of your gifts and the challenges you’ve overcome. Let me say it another way—you’ve been supernaturally blessed to perform easily in an area you have empathy for, creating space for God’s love to bring healing, restoration, and joy. 

After you read and internalize this truth, I pray that when someone compliments you on your gift, you’ll smile, recognizing your blessing. When you look back at the challenges you overcame, I pray you’ll cherish the portal God created in your heart for His love to shine through, healing others. Lord, let us not take our gifts for granted or despise our challenges—they have led us into our purpose! 

Discovering Your Specific Purpose:

Now, what is it that you’re naturally good at? These are the qualities about you that others seem to notice often. This is your gifting. 

Take some time to list your gifts in your journal. 

Next, what are the challenges you overcame, the obstacles you’ve surmounted, and the situations that used to cause you pain? What difficulty did you overcome so that it no longer controls you? 

Take some time to list the challenges you’ve overcome in your journal. 

Use your devotion and meditation time to ask God about the unique combination of your gifts and challenges—how they’re meant to give Him glory, bless others and share His love and kindness in the world. You’ll discover what you were meant to do, your unique and divine specific purpose. 

Remember, our goal now is to discover your purpose rather than knowing how it will unfold in your life. The HOW will reveal itself as you strategically step into the WHAT. The goal is to see your purpose clearly and allow God to do the rest. As God told Abraham, “… as far as you can see, I’ll give it to you.” 

Today’s Affirmation:

I am experiencing clarity on another level. I am seeing and experiencing God in ways I never knew possible! I understand more and more every day. I am learning to see God throughout my day. I am embracing His revelation as He shows me my specific purpose. He is birthing a beautiful revelation in my heart and mind today. I am grateful! I go out today in joy, with anticipation. I know God will continue to show me exactly what I need to see and hear today. 

Question of the Day:

How can my gifts and challenges work together to create a purpose I’m passionate about and have empathy for?

Scriptures: Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 14:22-23, Ephesians 3:20

Now that you’ve learned more about our shared Kingdom purpose and moved forward with clarity on your specific purpose let’s understand why living out your purpose is so important to God. 

God has positioned us as believers as the light of the world. In Matthew 5:14–16, we learn that we are the light of the world, and our purpose is to shine God’s light in other people’s lives so they, too, can give Him glory. Now you can see why not living your purpose every day feels unfulfilling. 

You have a specific place where you fit, and it feels like something is missing when you’re not there. You are shaped specifically for a purpose, and when you realize it and begin to fit into that place, it is a place of blessing for you. You are enough, and you are specifically designed for an important purpose. 

God called and qualified you to perform a specific use, and He has given you your light for an ultimate purpose: so that others can SEE you achieve life through him and glorify God. Remember, glorifying God is primary in the Kingdom purpose we all share. Jesus commands us to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven,…” We’ve clarified that this means interacting with others, embodying His love in all you do, and showing empathy to others you’re called to, pointing them to Him when the opportunity arises. 

Living Your Purpose

When you live your purpose, reach your highest and best use in the Kingdom, position your life to be blessed, and continue to receive more so that you can give more. Resources come your way because you’ve demonstrated that you aren’t interested in your glory; you’re prioritizing God’s glory instead. It is a blessed life! 

God intends for your life to be THAT blessed life! But remember, it all starts with being drawn deeper into your relationship with Jesus. Being drawn to Jesus results in miracles! This is demonstrated in Matthew 14:22–33, when Peter is so drawn to Jesus that he gets out of the boat and walks on the water. 

Walking on water—or any miracle—comes from having a dedicated focus on Jesus. Peter is so focused on Jesus in this story that he looks directly at Him. However, Peter begins to sink as soon as he takes His eyes off Jesus. Further complicating matters, the sea was being tossed by waves. 

You may wonder what miracles are available to you now because you’ve recently been dealing with some waves. When it storms in life, waves tend to crash against our “boats.” Even during what may appear to be waves crashing in your life, God has given you a light to share with others; He wants to strengthen you so that you WALK on WATER—accomplishing miraculous results that you know He’s given to you as your purpose. You’ll get there by turning your focus back to Him. 

You can and will accomplish that thing that even you didn’t believe was possible at one time. And that miracle will cause others to worship and glorify God, as they did in verse 33, after witnessing Peter walk on water. Ask God to show you the next step; then, when He does, trust Him enough to focus on Him, get out of your boat, and walk on the water. 

Today’s Affirmation:

Today, I am focusing on God. He is my provider and my source, and I depend on Him. My focus sharpens as I perceive that everything becomes lighter in my life when I’m concentrating on God. It’s becoming more natural for me to consider God first in all my decisions. God guides me. I am made radiant through God. I am expanding through God. I am settled in God. I feel myself growing closer to God. 

Question of the Day:

What miracle do you need God to perform in your life right now? List three ways you can prioritize focusing on God in that area.

Scriptures: Psalms 37:4, Psalms 121:1-2, James 4:3, Ephesians 2:10, James 1:22

On Day 1 of this plan, we discussed the need to be concentrated. I recently started grinding my coffee beans for my morning coffee. The flavor of freshly ground coffee is so rich! Anything that is concentrated is potent, strong, and richly flavored. When consumed, it can be deeply satisfying. Walking in your concentrated purpose is potent, strong, richly flavored, and brings deep satisfaction to your soul. 

The need to be concentrated goes hand in hand with what we discussed yesterday, which is the power of focus. When you combine the two lessons, you realize you can live a powerful life if you can become focused on God and concentrate on your purpose. 

This means avoiding dilution through distraction. Even if you’re focused on something “good,” if you prioritize it in your thoughts above God, your purpose will become diluted. I’ll take God over good any day! 

One common “good” distraction is your heart’s desire. Everyone has a “heart’s desire” that is tied to an image of the life they would like to live. Maybe it’s a desire for a child, a job, a husband, a community of Godly women with whom you can walk through life, healing in your body, or a provision. When you focus on Christ, your purpose inspires your heart’s desire, helping you to see it more clearly. 

It seems ironic that simply by focusing on Christ, we can see our purpose more clearly. It doesn’t make sense until you understand that His lens is greater. When you look at your life through God’s lens, you can see the greater perspective, the greater angle, the greater joy, the greater peace, and the greater solutions available. 

It can be easy to accept the imitation of your heart’s desire instead of the real thing when you are so focused on it. When your thoughts are anxious or consumed with anything outside of God, that’s an indication that it’s time to step back from that for a moment … refocus on Him. Set your mind, heart, and thoughts on this question: “God, what do you want me to focus on today?” Then follow the gentle promptings that God places in your spirit, which you should see confirmed in the Word of God. These promptings, received through prioritizing God, will help you recognize your true heart’s desire when it arrives. 

It takes a greater faith and hope to believe that you’ll see something different when you lift your eyes to God. When you do, His love will rush in, flooding your heart with light and molding your hope to match His. How many know that just one touch from God can change everything? Amen! 

Today, you can decide to change what you are focusing on and start to see solutions just by looking to Christ. 

Today’s Affirmation:

As I abide in God, He abides in me today, wrapping me with His love. I am at peace. I am calm, I am clear, and I am focused. My heart is assured that He will bring me the desires I need at the right time, just like that. He will cause them to come to pass. I will see it and know that it was a miracle that God performed for me—because He is faithful to His Word. I trust in God. He is the Author and Finisher of my faith and will prove His good will in my life! 

Question of the Day:

List your top three heart desires. Rate on a scale of 1–10 how focused you are on them, with 10 being the highest focus. Decide what you need to reprioritize to focus on God and His purpose for your life.

Scriptures: John 10:10, Psalms 138:8, Isaiah 59:19, Proverbs 3:5-6, Revelation 3:8

When I was a little girl, my mother would press my hair for special occasions. I was so excited because this didn’t happen often, and I would immediately run to the mirror, admiring her work. If I stood there too long, she would lovingly chide me by singing a song with the following lyrics: “You think that this song is about you, don’t you, don’t you?” It was my signal to stop focusing on myself and how I looked and to do something productive. 

We can become too focused on ourselves and our feelings when seeking our purpose. A hyper-focus on yourself is one of the ways the enemy distracts you, winning his war against your purpose. The enemy wants to cause you to think more of yourself, your goals, and your desires than is healthy. He sends thoughts the way that entices you to worry, to overthink, and to spend time wondering instead of waiting. This hyper-focus on self desensitizes you to the gentle nudges God sends you throughout your day that help you remain aware of in-the-moment opportunities to flow in your purpose. 

Let’s take our power back and refuse to allow these thoughts to consume us! If we understand how God works, we also understand that God has already worked out all the things that cause us to worry and impatience. 

God receives the greatest glory when we mature spiritually to see beyond ourselves and serve Him with our purpose. You can handle your responsibilities while still giving God those things that concern you throughout the day, refusing to allow them to consume your thought life. This type of disposition says, “There are things that concern me, Lord, but I know you already have a solution to them. I’ll rest in your will until I see your purpose fulfilled in my life!” Release your concerns to God. When you let go, all that God needs to handle for you fall out of your hands into His. Because your hands are open now, He fills them with purpose. 

We are filled with purpose when we relax and release all that we have into God’s loving hands. God is a miracle maker; He takes your little and multiplies it, making it more than you could have imagined. He moves simultaneously outside and within time, moving your life into divine order. He will cause your purpose to blossom when you decide to release the need to be perfect and open your hands. 

This level of trust is spiritual maturity. It may not seem significant because you can’t see it the way you can see other goals happening in your life, like weight loss or a growing savings account. If you could see yourself in the spirit, you would see a significant loss of fear; a decline in the effectiveness of the enemy’s distraction in your mind, and spiritual growth in patience, obedience, and trust in God. 

Begin to allow your mind to relax into the truth that what God has for you is for you. No person can close the doors God has already opened for you, and only what is approved can pass that threshold. 

Today’s Affirmation:

I am ready. With open hands, I willingly release all that I am to God. He is taking my all and multiplying my purpose for effectiveness. I feel lighter, and I feel free. I am becoming all that God intended while resting in His hands. My purpose is strengthened through spiritual maturity. I make one choice at a time, each sourced from my heart. I am centered on God. I choose to love. I choose to live. I choose to flourish. 

Question of the Day:

What can you release to God today? If you could choose to release it, share or journal how you would feel.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 2:9, Genesis 28:15, Psalms 121:7, Psalms 121:3

Looking back over your life, can you identify the times when you know God kept you? I don’t know about you, but there were times when I thought the “right” decision was not the BEST decision for me! How many of us can say, “Thank you, Jesus” right now, at this moment, because God kept us, despite the decisions we made? 

Despite my decisions, God stepped into my situation and showed me there was better for me than what I was choosing at that moment. I learned how to develop a concentrated focus on Him, starting with my morning devotion and meditation on His Word, which helped me begin to see Him and His view of my life more clearly. 

How about you? Can you remember when, despite your best efforts, what you were pursuing didn’t work out? Is there a person you once thought you could not live without but now realize could never have been suitable for you? Can you remember a situation that you got into that God had to get you out of? With each instance, every single time, if you kept moving forward in purpose and didn’t give up, you discovered that God had more for you. 

In every moment, He kept you.

Praise be to God—because, despite these missteps, God used them to develop more depth in you. That “more” could have included raising your level of expectation, becoming more disciplined, or increasing awareness of your worth and value in His Kingdom. Maybe God was directing you to increase your level of belief or obedience. He may have even been urging you to get more rest and to say no to the good so that you could achieve the great. God was showing you, the entire time, what He has for you! He has better for you; He has a purpose for you; therefore, He has abundance for you to experience! 

The Word confirms this in 1 Corinthians 2:9, which says, “…no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him.” 

When your focus and love are on God, and your purpose is aligned with God’s will for your life, elevation is natural. Instead of adopting a pattern of thinking that makes everything rely on you, consider structuring your life around a pattern of reliance on God. 

When you release your hopes to Him, choose to be concentrated on your purpose, and commit to doing the work set before you. He will take your natural and add His super, creating supernatural results. This makes the difference, accelerating you faster and more effectively in your purpose. He saved you for a reason, pulling you back from destruction and reclaiming you as HIS—and your assignment and purpose are significant parts of that reason. 

“So now, what?” you ask. It’s time to look for ways to implement your purpose. Consider your first step: finding a mentor, taking a class on a topic you need to master to start, attending an educational event or conference, or even reaching out via direct message to someone you admire on social media, asking for advice. There are so many actions you can take today. Decide to take another step towards that purpose and set a goal to complete that step before this plan ends. 

Today’s Affirmation:

The hand of God is supporting you today, lifting you higher, loving you deeper into your destiny and His purpose for your life. Feel it in your body and your mind. Commit it to God in prayer, and see His confirmation give you a purposeful awareness of who He is in your life. Allow Him to show you more and more. The more closely you look, the more apparent it is that God is a GOOD God, that He loves you, and that He has a plan for you. He absolutely will complete the good work He started in you. He is doing exceedingly, abundantly, above all that you can ask or think! 

Question of the Day:

When in your life has God kept you? How is that experience related to your Kingdom or Specific Purpose?

Scriptures: Isaiah 51:3, Exodus 16:4-5, Matthew 5:14, Isaiah 41:13

I have an important question for you today: what if one of the most challenging experiences of your life was the very thing that propelled you into your greatest potential? Often, we tend to look at our past with regret or judgment. We become wrapped up in a train of thought that questions why we had to go through a difficult experience, why it lasted so long, or even why it may seem like the person who wronged us appears to be winning. 

It’s easy to look at what you went through and judge it negatively, but consider this: if you’re still here, that means you went through it. Did you hear what I just said? You went THROUGH it. You are still alive and breathing; if you’re still alive and breathing, the story isn’t over! Amen? 

God has a beautiful story being woven into your life today. The challenges you went through are simply seasoning for your future. They are critical ingredients in making your purpose rich, savory, and the perfect example someone else needs to experience. They are what make you relatable, authentic, and real. They are what has brought you a measure of humility and empathy for those who are going through experiences that you have made it through. 

Look, it doesn’t matter if you made it through glowing—or if you barely made it through, looking like you barely made it through! God is picking up the broken pieces, forming you carefully into a beautiful vessel He can use, and ensuring that each time He uses you, it blesses someone. It’s an opulent cycle that only God could have designed. It’s time to trade the old perspective for the new; after all, Isaiah 61:3 says, “He will give you beauty for your ashes.”

Intentionally joyful women know that a rich purpose is a gift born out of challenges.

We move forward not despite our past but because God has used our history to give us a rich purpose in the present. It is deep inside everything that we experience. Today, we decide to count every experience in our past for God’s glory. We’re starting with what we know today, trusting that God will provide our daily bread tomorrow. Become passionately focused on your purpose and on using your life. Vow that you’ll have NOTHING left at the end. Promise that you’ll pour out your purpose completely on your family, your ministry, and the specific area of the world that you have a destiny to impact. 

Today’s Affirmation:

I am a rich woman. God beautifully restored me with a unique purpose that fulfills a unique need. I feel purposeful. I feel directed. I feel solid. I am SURE. I have adopted a perspective on my past that allows me to let go, trusting God. I set my focus on Him, believing that He will provide for me every day from His riches in Heaven. Because of this focus, I am assured that my purpose carries potency, fulfilling a significant need in this world. 

Question of the Day:

What beauty has God already given you for your ashes? What do you see that has been restored, even if only over the last seven days?

Scriptures: Jeremiah 1:5, Genesis 9:1, Exodus 3:16-17, 1 Samuel 1:15-19, John 11:41-44, Romans 10:13

It’s Day 8, and the beauty of God’s plan for purpose is resonating deeply. We now see that our purpose is not just for us but also for others that God will bring into our lives. When God created you, He was not only thinking about you but all the people He would set in your path to be touched through your purpose. When God crafted you in your mother’s womb, He literally “set you apart” for your purpose, with the intent that you would bless others through it. 

This understanding reveals another one of God’s patterns—His pattern for purpose.

God’s pattern for purpose is that He uses people to bless people, which, in turn, blesses the giver and receiver. In many instances in the Word, God called on a person and then used that person to lead people, save others, or even prevent disaster—ultimately drawing them closer to Him. Noah, Hannah, Lazarus, and even Jesus, to name a few: all of their lives reflect God’s pattern for purpose. 

God’s Pattern Provides Restoration

In each of these cases, we can see how these people were challenged, how they gave through their purpose, and how they were restored to God’s best. Just as their challenge and giving served a purpose, their restoration did as well—it proved God’s promises. Each was challenged, but God’s pattern for their purpose and willingness to walk with God through the challenge brought them to a place of restoration. They were blessed through their restoration, and the people around them were blessed too! 

• Noah’s restoration ushered in a new civilization of people. 
• Hannah’s restoration blessed the temple and the people with her son, Samuel. 
• Lazarus’ restoration caused the people to believe. 
• Jesus’ restoration provides an eternal blessing to everyone who accepts Him as their Savior. 

In each case, their purpose led to restoration, which, in turn, led to an even greater purpose. If you’ve followed me for any period, you’ve probably heard me say that every round goes higher and higher! God purposed you, but His pattern didn’t stop with His first touch. His pattern continues, with restoration designed for you, again, taking you higher and higher into your purpose. 

Trusting God in His Pattern 

There’s one more takeaway in each of these lives that God restored. They each experienced a moment when they had to trust God, listening to Him despite what others thought or said—and this action is what set up their restoration. 

• Noah built an ark when no one had ever seen rain; he did what he did because he had listened to God. 
• Hannah prayed at the altar for a child, to the point that the priests thought she had gone mad; she did what she did because she had listened to God. 
• Lazarus came out of the grave after everyone knew he was dead; he did what he did because he had listened to God. 
• Jesus gave His life against all odds and through His great love for us; he did what he did because he listened to God. 

Just as God works in patterns, we too can follow a pattern that produces a reliable result every time—that pattern is listening to God and following His instruction. When we listen to God and are obedient in implementing what He tells us, we will be led to give to others, leading to a season of restoration. 

Listen to God, and He will show you His purpose for you. Whenever God has a plan for you, He will reveal your next steps when you listen. 

When you listen to God, you’ll see Him work out His purpose AND His restoration for you. The key to your restoration is found in God’s presence—in spending time in your prayer and meditation practice. 

When you choose to flow with God’s pattern, you’ll enjoy a feeling of deep satisfaction and fulfillment and understand how critical your worth is to the world and God’s kingdom. 

Today’s Affirmation:

I find beauty in God’s presence, and there is a gentle unfolding of His truth in my life. His light illuminates my mind. I am peaceful and present. I am beholding His beauty. I am relaxed, restored, and rejuvenated by His love. I have found the secret key, which is simply listening to God. I create space for God to guide me. I have safety in Him. I am secure. I am experiencing a joyful freedom today! 

Question of the Day:

What has God been showing you or telling you what you need to act on? Pray, ask God for strength, courage, and peace, and move forward, listening to God.

Scriptures: Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 13:5, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 55:11

This might be Day 10, but it’s only the beginning of another level of opportunity for us! 

Thank God for His infinite wisdom and the unfolding of His plan. He knows to become fully concentrated, time and process are necessary. We can also thank God for His encouragement along the way, restoring us as we go. As your peace grows, your joy grows, and your spirit grows, you’ll be solidly rooted in the truth that God restores, and He will complete the good work He started in you. 

As we go into our “next,” here are a few of God’s promises to hold onto through the process of your purpose. When you hold fast to God’s promises, you remain in the process—and when you remain in your process, you experience restoration. 

Three of God’s promises:

• God was with you in the beginning, and He will be with you through the end. 

“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 

• God will strengthen you to make it through the middle. 

“…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 

• What God has spoken and released in your life MUST occur. 

“…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 

There’s a common theme between the three scriptures above: they all demonstrate that God is the Author and Finisher concerning us, regardless of any “messy middle” we might have experienced. He’s been with you from the beginning and will never leave you; He will renew your strength to make it through, and the Word He has spoken over your life will manifest in your life, perfectly and completely. What God started, God will finish! 

Growing up in church, I always heard the Word of God but didn’t always know how to apply it to my life practically. I knew I was supposed to believe in God but didn’t know how to overcome the doubtful thoughts running through my mind daily. I knew I was supposed to have faith that things would happen in God’s timing, but I couldn’t control my impatience. 

Through His grace, God lovingly revealed the practical application of the spiritual, showing me what I was responsible for and relieving me of the things that only He could do. The relief was palpable, and I was finally able to relax. 

So, what’s left for us to do? What should you and I do now that we are committed to our purpose and understand our role? There are three practical actions for you to take while God directs the spiritual in your life: 

1. Praise God. All blessings flow from God, and when you praise Him, the Bible says that your praise invites the Spirit of God into your life. Choose to practice appreciation and gratitude, giving the glory and praise to God. Practice giving thanks, even for the small things—especially for the small things! 

2. Practice Obedience. Obedience opens the door for God to manifest the blessings of your purpose in your life. The manifestation of a thing is always richer in reality than in your imagination. Ask God to show you any area in your life where you need increased obedience. Decide today to be obedient to God’s Word. Obedience gives you the discipline necessary to maintain the blessing when it arrives. 

3. Be still. Be still before God. Know that He IS God and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Seeking God will give you the peace and the patience you need for the wait, as well as for your necessary development. Our whispered prayer is for a fully developed purpose, one that is ready and able to be a blessing. 

Today, look beyond yourself, any “messy middle,” beyond your past and even your dreams, and see God’s amazing present and future for you, His peace for you, His joy, and His love for you. Choose Him. Become even more passionate about your purpose. Embrace His truth concerning you and enjoy fulfilling your God-gifted purpose. 

Today’s Affirmation:

I am experiencing a fresh anointing from God today; my God is moving, and I am aware. I am fulfilling my purpose through Christ, who strengthens me. My Heavenly Father has released a powerful gift in me, elevating me into my purpose, and I’m standing on His promises. I will see God’s goodness in my life today and every day of my life. I give God the glory right now because He is worthy. I experience overwhelming gratefulness for the beauty I enjoy; it is all because of the graciousness of my God. I am blessed. 

Question of the Day:

In what area do I need to increase my obedience to develop the discipline to manage my purpose effectively?