Purpose? What's that? Do I have a purpose?
All Things New: A Sanctuary Girl Retreat.
Raise your hand if you have no idea what your purpose is. I know I am not the only one that was clueless in this area. I also am willing to bet that you know at least one person who eats, sleeps, and breathes their purpose. That person that everyone who knows them, knows what their purpose is. I’m willing to bet that you may have been jealous of them, at least on one occasion, just wishing that you could be like them, and know…. like, really know, what your purpose is.
Here’s the good news: If you are alive, you have a purpose. You may not have discovered it yet, and that is totally ok, but trust me when I say that you have a purpose. What’s even more neat, is that you may be living out your purpose, and not have any idea. That was me.
This past spring, I went to a women’s faith based retreat with Sanctuary Girl (time out… click this link and go give this page a like, I promise you will not regret it). Here is part of the description of this retreat:
This retreat is for women who are ready to explore the patterns of thinking that have kept them from truly walking out their purpose on planet Earth. We will dig deep into what it is we really think we are here for, explore what we believe are our passions, and pull out the strengths to make them happen.
I was so excited to attend this retreat, and hopeful to find out what my purpose was, or if I even had one. I never imagined to be smacked in the face with what felt like a mack truck regarding what I believe my purpose to be.
Sanctuary Girl Retreat: Los Angeles, CA March 2018
Utilizing the Spiritual Gifts Test to
Discover your Purpose.
One activity that we utilized on this retreat was the Spiritual Gifts Test. Allot yourself some time, without distractions, to take this test. I’m going to be honest, when I took it, I wanted to melt into my chair and disappear. I was very new into re-engaging in my faith during this retreat, and to be quite honest, I didn’t know how to answer a lot of the questions. I remember, at one moment, panicking and thinking to myself “this is going to come back that I have no gifts”.
Imagine to my surprise that my top three gifts described me perfectly! Not just that, but my number one gift, was what I did for a living! After you take the test, you’ll be able to click on the link Spiritual Gifts-definitions and descriptions, and read all about yours.
My top gift was Mercy, which is described as “concern for those that are hurting”, “great empathy for others”, “feel the need to be there for others” and “THE HANDS AND THE FEET OF GOD TO THE AFFLICTED”. You will see that expression come up numerous times throughout this blog, because it’s a phrase that continues to appear in my life. I have learned that I may not have the bible memorized, or attend church every Sunday, I can’t recite scripture to you, but I am the hands and the feet, and I am out there caring for the afflicted, day in and day out. And I continue to find ways to do that, further learning about my true purpose, all while following my passion.
I’d love if you would take the test, and share your results (if you are comfortable) or feedback in the comments below. It was such an eye opening experience for me, and a defining moment in discovering my purpose.