This is an excerpt from Tim Tebow’s recently released book called Mission Possible. I think he has created so much enlightenment in his writing for those who are trying to figure out God’s purpose for their lives. His words of wisdom bring more clarity for those on their journey to figuring out their vocation or calling in life.
” Lately, I’ve
heard a lot of questions like, “What is God’s will for my life?” Or some-
times it’s phrased differently, like, “How can I find my calling?” or “What
is my purpose?”
I’ve often wondered what those words even mean when we use them
like that. I know what Merriam and Webster have decided, but how
often have you heard those words dropped as a cliché in conversation?
What do they really mean? When people ask these kinds of questions,
what kind of answer are they looking for? Are they hoping for a general
answer: “to love and serve God and others”? Or a specific answer about
career: “You should become a doctor”? Or just an answer about making
a difference: “helping the poor or those who are underprivileged”? Or
are they looking for something more glamorous, like becoming a best-
selling author or winning an Emmy?
Am I asking too many questions when you’re hoping to find some
answers?
All these questions about purpose remind me of a comedic conver-
sation in The Hobbit. After finishing his breakfast, Bilbo Baggins is stand-
ing by his front door, when none other than Gandalf comes waltzing by.
Bilbo nods at the old wizard and says, “Good morning” It’s a typical early-day greeting that requires nothing more than a nod and a smile.
But Gandalf is too deep for that.
He says to Bilbo, “Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is
a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this
morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?”1
I suppose we each have a little Gandalf in us. We can get hung up on
questions or confused by semantics instead of taking action, even just
one little step. “
I love how transparent Tebow is being here – we all ask these questions and on one hand we may know what we’re talking about, and on the other hand, we may also have a vague idea of what “calling” is referring to. Is it our jobs? Our roles as parents or spouses? Our contribution to charities? Our contribution to our local church? Our impact on others? We may all have a different perception of what a calling is. Are we overcomplicating and overthinking this just like Gandalf was overthinking the phrase “good morning”? As we read on, Tebow reminds us how clear the Bible is on what our (a beleiver’s) calling is.
” Scripture gives us one shared and big-picture purpose: to glorify
God. As believers, we honor and serve Him with our lives, our natural
gifts, our resources, our bodies, our worship, and our decisions. The list
is vast, but the goal is clear. In His last instructions to His disciples, Jesus
commanded them to “go, therefore, and make disciples of all the na-
tions, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20) Now, this scriptural charge doesn’t mean that you have to become a missionary or plant yourself on the other side of the world. Nor does it
mean that you have to sing worship songs during every waking hour
(though if you feel a tug on your heart to do that, go for it!). But it does
mean that your big-picture purpose is to bring glory to God wherever
you are.
After, and only after, you latch on to that God-given, big-picture purpose, there’s a way to identify what your personal purpose might be.
Within that greater purpose of glorifying God, you find your purpose in what you do every day. Simply put, purpose is about being mission driven in your ordinary life.”
It’s hard to live mission possible when we don’t fully believe that we are made in God’s image, hand-chosen by Him and fully equipped to carry out works of eternal significance. It’s actually impossible. You will never come to believe that your life counts if you think you are here by accident or you’re stuck in a space where you’re just going through the motions.
God has designed you so that you don’t have to bumble your way
Tim Tebow
through life. I believe He wants you to find your purpose. There are times we’re already walking in our purpose and we might not even know it! Sometimes God makes it clear, and sometimes it might not feel that way. That’s why it’s called living by faith, not by sight.
Don’t live with the goal of just getting by. Live with a greater significance
than achievements, accolades, or an impressive bio. With purpose, your
life overflows with meaning. You are alive because you are connected to
the source of all creation. God has a plan for you to love and care for
people. You honor Him through that mission.
