Perfect and Complete

Proverbs 19:21: Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. 

Have you ever taken a hard look at life and wondered about why the things we wanted never came to pass?

At first glance, it’s hard to see past yourself. Tunnel vision only showed me the rejection and magnified the insecurities of why I didn’t get what I wanted. But in that same moment, I was challenged to think differently. To think beyond me and look at these desires from a purpose perspective.

There are particular things – as much as we fight for our standards – that we would find allowances, make exceptions and settle for. Things that seem like they can easily be adjusted into our lives without considering our path towards purpose. And I am grateful that the Lord sees what we don’t.

Once I started to look at things from a purpose perspective, the doors He closes begin to make sense. The more you walk towards purpose the less certain things fit.

We will always hear the consolation, the saying, “man’s rejection is God’s protection” and I never gave it much thought until now. We say it in the tone as God protecting us from a situation that could have happened or that He is holding us out for something better but the reality is, if we weren’t rejected we would have settled. The bottom line is God is just protecting us from ourselves.

Settling: Resolve or reach an agreement about

Purpose: The reason for which something is done or created for which something exists

So, What is Settling on Purpose?

Settling on purpose is not purposely walking down your standards, but setting your standards according to your purpose. It’s to settle yourself on your path of purpose.

The Lord was able to harden the heart of Pharaoh just to show the Israelites that He is God. And I truly believe the Lord will go above and beyond the keep His children on their path towards purpose.

Settling on Purpose is

• Deciding that purpose will be the lens I use to look at disappointments after they are filtered by God.
• Saying that if this one thing can cost me my purpose then it’s not for me.
• Accepting that rejection doesn’t make me less than or better than – it’s just not for me.
• Stop staying in shallow waters when the Lord is clearly calling me to go deeper

The call on your life is too great for you to settle for anything other than what God created you for.