Isn’t it amazing how when we are focused on a task how we align everything up to reach the intended end.

One example comes to mind with the athlete- the NFL draft has just concluded a few weeks ago and athletes from all over were competing to get a shot at the ultimate level of play. For years, these players have disciplined themselves to be able to get to this level we call professional football. And it has cost them all something. When I say it cost them something I am talking about discipline and diligence. These two qualities are key,  just like the athlete whose coach gives him a curfew the night before the big game because he understands the importance of discipline. He does not want him to be fatigued, causing him to not be able to play at his best. And the diligence to make the right decision.

Staying purpose driven means that we must think beyond the short term.  Thinking just for the now will cause us to miss the bigger picture.  How many of us as adults have thought if we would have just stuck with a hobby, a talent and developed it-what could have been the outcome? We never know what could happen when you think only for the short term.  My mother when I was growing up, used to always talk about “delayed gratification” and the importance of thinking outside of the short term. The significance of  “delayed gratification” is having the ability to discipline oneself to be able to hold out because there is something more.

Don’t lose sight because you are going through a hard time right now but know that you have to stay purpose driven.  Some have gone through loss after loss- in love, in career, in finances but stay purpose driven.

Staying purpose driven means that we must keep the goal in the forefront. You may be asking why the forefront? Lets define “forefront,” it is the foremost point or place.  If your goal is not clear you don’t know which way you should go. So we must define by asking the Lord to make our way clear and give us concise direction on which way to go. If there is no set direction before you (vision) how do you know which way you are traveling and if it is the correct path? Back to my example of the young  athletes trying to make it to the NFL and how they always keep this goal before them. This dictates there behavior, their attitude, what decisions they will make along the way – because they recognize that which is before them.  1 Corinthians 9:26-27 reads, ” So I run with purpose in every step. I discipline my body like an athlete training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” Keep the goal in the forefront friend. The writer states “run with purpose with every step.” Everything counts with Christ, everything. The race is not in vain but there is a reward that we are striving for that cannot be obtained in the natural realm but there are many benefits to doing things Christ way, which is always purpose driven.

This leads to my last thought, be prepared for the reward.  Oftentimes, we can find ourselves wondering Lord where are you? I have been being faithful and disciplined in this walk and it seems that nothing is changing. Well friend, don’t lose hope and just be encouraged in the fact that the reward is coming.  Galatians 6:9 tells us, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Now that is encouraging, continue doing as you have been doing. Keep praying, keep studying, keep working on your character, keep being kind- don’t stop doing the work. God sees you and is checking your heart condition friend, and he is seeing the motive behind what we do. He desires to see the drive and the love we have for Him and that being the main motivation for what we do. Staying purpose driven it must be a lifestyle that we are willing to put on. We must run in such a manner that we are striving to be the best we can be with the right motive before us. Don’t give up and you will see the rewards of staying the course and being purpose driven.

God bless.