To be Purposeful is to be Intentional. It requires one’s thoughts, words and actions to be aligned. The aim is to be in a continuous state of presentness while working towards a particular outcome and enjoying the process of getting there, all the while constantly learning from the past.
What we need to understand about the Purposeful Man is that this is more than just psychology, personal effort, stoicism or what we often term as ‘self-help’. Those aspects are important but in order to conquer self, there needs to be a Higher Power. That Power is Jesus Christ.
GENESIS 1:26-28 TELLS US:
26Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”[1]
From the Biblical point of reference, we understand that every human-being finds their identity – their purpose – in God, for He is the Creator. The only way that we can truly begin to understand ourselves is by going back to the beginning, to the foundation of where it all began.
And who best to turn to when trying to understand the master-piece than the Master Himself.
Sadly, because of the influence of sin, we as humans lost our sense of being and sense of self. Did we lose our image? No. But our vision of who we are and who we’re meant to be is impaired. Corrupted. But not unredeemable.
Thanks to the incarnation, living testimony, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The concept and makeup of Manhood is complex.
While we as humans, men especially, have gone to various lengths both theoretically and practically to understand ourselves, the fact remains that unless we intentionally go back to basics, back to the beginning – back to the Creator, we won’t truly understand ourselves, much less the reason as to why we are here.
That’s where Purpose comes in.
PURPOSE INTERPRETED
Purpose. According to the Ancient Greeks, the word purpose has a few definitions:
- Σκοπός – (pronounced as Skopos) This refers to a particular goal, aim or objective.
- Πρόθεση – (pronounced as Prothesi) Meaning intention, design or purposeful plan.
- Τέλος – (pronounced as Telos) A philosophical term that stoics used to describe the ultimate-aim, end-goal or true meaning/main reason for something’s existence.
- Προορισμός (pronounced as Proorismos) which refers to the destination, destiny or pre-ordained purpose.
Those are some loaded interpretations of the meaning of Purpose!
In my own words, I would describe Purpose as that which drives us to wake up each day and keep on living.
It is that which keeps us up late at night as it gnaws at our minds. It keeps us unsettled yet brings so much meaning and significance when we tap into it and live it.
It is the intangible, unseen thing which leaves a visible, lasting impact that is both felt and understood, yet keeps on growing and expanding.
It cannot be contained, nor can it truly be described and yet its absence and presence are both noticeable.
Now let us look at another ancient language and see if we can grasp a deeper meaning and understanding of the word Purpose. In the Hebrew, Purpose is described as:
- מטרה (Matara) – a specific, measurable goal, objective or target.
- תכלית (Tachlit) – this is a grander, philosophical term used to dissect the understanding of existence (e.g., the meaning/purpose of life).
- ייעוד (Yi’ud) – A divine calling, mission or destiny.
- כוונה (Kavanah) – This looks at the “intention” or the direction of the heart behind the action.
- בכוונה (Be’kavana) – Meaning “on purpose” or intentionally (e.g., doing something deliberately).
When we begin to reflect on these words that our forefathers have used to describe the feelings that we experience, the direction and significance of the past, present and future path of our lives and life as a whole that influences humanity whether we acknowledge it or not, we can safely come to the conclusion that we cannot measure the true meaning of our existence and yet, ironically, we often spend our entire lives in the pursuit of seeking to understand it.
Different ideologies and worldviews, both religious and scientific, have come about over centuries as men have battled with this deep question that for every answer, seems to lead to even more questions…
I, myself, do not have the answer to this question either. And yet, when one really thinks about it, we basically have one of two options.
Before I share the options that we have, the question that men have battled with for millennia is “What is the Meaning of Life?”
The two options that we have are simple. Either we acknowledge the existence of an All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Ever-Present and Eternal God as the Creator of Life or we don’t.
I’m not going to get into the different aspects of God or the various views about Him because the reality is that we wouldn’t be fixated on the purpose of anything if the conversation of God wasn’t a factor…
There would be no purpose to speak about purpose because what would be the point/(purpose)?!
Therefore; my conclusion is this:
God = Purpose
No God = No Purpose
We need to understand that Purpose is not greater than God, nor does Purpose = God. Purpose is subject to God and it flows FROM GOD. In order words, meaning comes from God. Order comes from God. Direction comes from God. Purpose COMES from God.
Furthermore, a lack of purpose does not mean that there is no God. Rather, in order for purpose to be found, God must be sought after. This is the essence of Purposeful Manhood.
ROMANS 8:28 REMINDS US:
28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”[2]
There are many pastors and scholars who have exegeted and preached on this text, some have even written books, articles and commentaries on it. If there is one application that I would like to assert as we strive to not only understand ourselves but to also apply ourselves, especially as men, its that until we get to a breaking point in our personal lives, where we have no where else to turn to but God, our existence will be meaningless.
God allows all things to happen in this life so that we can seek even more after Him. All we know about God is all that He has already revealed about Himself to us.
If we want to know Him more then we need to seek Him more. Its important for us to accept that we can never fully understand God. For a god who is fully understood ceases to be God.
Nor can we replace Him. There are many things that compete for our attention in this life that often come at the expense to our relationship with Him. We sometimes intentionally or unintentionally replace Him. Yet the fact remains that we do.
Purposeful Manhood is a reminder to all men to seek after God amidst the other facets of life that both demand and deserve our attention.
Facets such as our Physical Health. Our Mental and Emotional Health. Our Relationships with our loved ones. Our Finances and our Careers. Our Education and Skills. Our Hobbies and Habits. Our Societal Involvement. Our various Leadership roles and Legacy building plans…
Without God, dear Brother… I’ve come to the realisation that all of this means nothing.
[1] The Holy Bible Genesis 1:26-28 New International Version.
[2] Holy Bible Romans 8:28 New American Standard Bible.