Forward Article 
We all want our lives to count. A meaningless life is the ultimate failure. Paul noted that David "served God's purpose in his own generation" (Acts 13:36 NIV). To take this seriously, it is a pursuit that warrants careful discernment and active effort.
Achieving this goal is to pursue clarity of an overarching purpose to align your time, energy and resources with the reason God has placed you here on Earth. To align with God's purpose for your life, ask yourself some simple questions and be honest in your answers.
Where has God designed you to have an influence?
There are probably areas of your life where you tend to seek out jobs or responsibilities. These activities normally bring joy and satisfaction to your soul.
Pay careful attention to where you sense you are naturally bent or equipped to make a difference. Most of us can do many things, but the greatest difference is made when we do fewer things very well. I often see people frustrated because they feel they must serve in areas that are deemed "more spiritual" even though it poorly aligns with their personal design.
Just as a doctor is gifted to practice medicine, so you should find your giftedness.
What matters most to you?
Perhaps you're fulfilled by working with teenagers, feeding the hungry, working in the nursery, teaching a foreign language, evangelizing, loving the outcast, or planting a new business.
Aligning with God's purpose doesn't necessarily mean you'll have to quit your job. God may allow you to be the most effective through your work for a lifetime.
Or, he may use your work for a season as a means of helping others and then call you into new places of service. Such was the case with Raymond Harris, a personal friend and great example, whose story is featured in the article "The blessings of obedience" in this newsletter.
As Raymond was faithful to operate his business according to biblical principles, God expanded his business, allowed him to concentrate his service toward the welfare of his employees and customers, and led him to give increasing amounts to ministry.
Then, at age 52, Raymond took a major step by selling his company. He is not "going into ministry" now. He has been aligned with God's purpose for his life for many years. He simply has a great passion to serve others, especially the poor and hurting.
He's pursuing that particular place where God wants him to serve—the place where he was designed to make the greatest difference using his gifts and his passion.
Raymond's search for alignment with God's purpose led him to attend a poverty summit in which Crown was a participant.
Then, he traveled to Africa and saw the needs firsthand. There, God revealed more to him about the service He wants him to do in order to fulfill God's purpose for his life.
So, be sure you have asked, "What matters most to me?" Start the process of discovering and pursing your life purpose by seeking to answer this key question.
I recommend that you search your heart, read God's Word, pray, and spend time in the area of service that you most care about. If you still lack clarity, ask a few trusted friends for their input.
What do you desire your life to count for?
Few people are ever remembered for more than two or three significant areas where they made a lasting difference. It is so helpful to know what those areas are for you and to get laser focused on them.
That's why I encourage you to consider another key question: "How do I want to be remembered?" Through the things you do—even the routine things—your attitude and outlook on life can have lasting spiritual, as well as physical, results.
View your life purpose from an eternal perspective. Then, ask God to make your life count, not only in familiar things but in new ways that you never could have imagined.
At Larry Burkett's memorial service, I was struck by the words of those who shared about his impact on their lives.
Although Larry had touched millions through his biblical wisdom and financial teachings, he was most remembered for his love and kindness to everyone he met. He was thought of as an exemplary servant of God.
How does God's purpose for my life relate to others?
As you seek to determine God's purpose for your own life, consider how that purpose relates to God, to family and friends, and to others. God's purpose for your life never omits bringing Him glory or caring for others.
God's purpose for Raymond's life was advanced when he followed the Bible's teaching on removing encumbrances. As a result, he incurred no debt and limited his business leases to three years.
He involved his family by teaching his children to handle money God's way, and he touched others by taking greater care of his employees and offering his architectural skills to help design an orphan village in Africa.
The apostle Paul noted that God had appointed him "to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles" (Romans 15:16 NASB).
This was specific to how Paul fulfilled God's purpose for his life, and in his passion to fulfill that purpose, the world was eternally changed.
Take time to write down your life purpose and express how it relates to God, family and friends, and others.
On the Crown Money Map™ we've provided a special section for you to do this, and if you haven't obtained a copy of the map, I encourage you to order one by calling us (1-800-722-1976) or visiting our Web site today.
Before this new year is too far gone, make discovering and pursuing your life purpose a priority. Then, seek God's will concerning how to make the most of that purpose in the days ahead. We'll be here to help you in your journey.
ChuckBentley@crown.org
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