One of the clearest ways to discover your purpose is by identifying where you are consistently most effective. Effectiveness is often God's confirmation of the gifts He has placed within you.
God often reveals our purpose by showing us where we consistently produce the greatest results. While many people may possess similar skills, your effectiveness in a particular area can be a strong indication of your God-given calling.
Jesus Himself said, "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20). In the same way, your "fruit", the impact and results of your life, can point you toward your purpose.
Howard Thurman wisely said, "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
While passion is important, passion alone is not enough. True purpose is often found where your passion, your God-given gifts, and your effectiveness come together to serve others and glorify God.
Do not ignore the evidence of your effectiveness. Pay attention to the areas where your work consistently produces fruit, where people are genuinely helped, and where your contribution makes a lasting difference. These are often God's signposts directing you toward your purpose.
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, was born into a wealthy family and could have pursued a comfortable life.
Instead, she discovered that she was exceptionally effective at caring for the sick, organizing hospitals, and improving healthcare systems.
During the Crimean War, while many accepted the poor conditions in military hospitals, Nightingale introduced better sanitation, organisation, and patient care.
Her leadership dramatically reduced death rates and transformed nursing into a respected profession. Her effectiveness introduced her to her greatest calling.
THE 4 Os FOR DISCOVERING PURPOSE THROUGH EFFECTIVENESS
To discover Purpose through Effectiveness, there are four (4) basic principles we have to take into consideration. They will enable us think more about our purpose and know the path God may be leading us.
1. OBSERVE - Observe Where You Consistently Produce Result.
One of the clearest indicators of your purpose through effectiveness is production of results. Pay close attention to the areas where you consistently produce positive results.
While others may perform the same task, your work seems to create greater impact, solve problems, or inspire people in a unique way. This consistent effectiveness is often God's way of revealing the gifts He has placed within you.
Ask yourself:
- Where do I consistently excel?
- What activities produce the greatest results when I do them?
- Where do I seem to make the greatest difference?
Don't focus only on what you enjoy; also pay attention to where you are genuinely productive. Your productivity is often a clue to your purpose. The Bible says, "Ye shall know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:20)
HOW I CHANGED COURSE
When I was about fourteen years old, I played for a local football club in my community. At first, I tried to be the goalkeeper, but almost every time I kept the post, our team was scored.
Thinking I was simply in the wrong position, I moved into defence. Unfortunately, the results were no better. Opponents frequently dribbled past me and scored. I became discouraged and even questioned whether I had any ability in football at all.
However, during that same period, I noticed something completely different. Whenever I was given the opportunity to teach at Sunday School, the lessons were well received, the children were engaged, and lives were impacted.
So, my Sunday School teacher regularly encouraged me and affirmed that I had a gift for teaching in church. Upon further reflection, I came to believe those words. They helped me recognize where I was most productive.
So, I told myself that: "If I can't play football like my friends, I can teach them at church like my Sir." Then, from that time onwards, instead of focusing on the football that I struggled to play, I began developing the area where I realised I was most productive.
As I embraced teaching and preaching, my passion was renewed, gift was sharpened, new opportunities opened, and eventually I was called to teach in adult services. And today, I keep teaching and preaching in churches around the world.
Now, something that started as a little gift was actually a blueprint to a greater purpose God had for me. But I wouldn't have known if I hadn't keenly observed where my productivity lied or my Sunday School teacher hadn't pointed it out to me.
LOUIS BRAILLE
Louis Braille lost his sight as a child. While studying at a school for the blind, he observed that blind people struggled to read and write because the available methods were slow and ineffective.
That observation sparked off a creativity in him. So, instead of accepting the problem, he carefully studied a military code called "night writing" and adapted it into what is now known as Braille.
He realised he was very productive by the results he produced. Eventually, many people were able to use it. And today, millions of blind people around the world read using the Braille system.
Louis Braille discovered his purpose because he paid attention to a problem that affected him and millions of others. By paying attention to it, he also saw how a skill he possessed could bring about a solution that was needed.
Observation is a doorway to purpose. When you pay attention to how productive you are in using your gifts and abilities, you begin to discover where God may be calling you to make a difference.
2. OBTAIN - Obtain Honest Feedback from Others.
Sometimes others can see our gifts more clearly than we can. People who work closely with you often notice your strengths, your influence, and the value you bring.
Honest feedback from trusted mentors, friends, teachers, pastors, or colleagues can help you recognize areas where you are particularly effective.
Just like my Sunday School teacher did for me. Maybe if he wasn't the one who helped me to see that I could teach in church, it would have taken me a long time to discover it. But his honest guidance affirmed my calling.
So, seek feedback with humility. Ask questions such as:
- What do you think I do best?
- Where have you seen me make the greatest impact?
- What strengths do you consistently notice in me?
Do not seek compliments; seek clarity. Constructive feedback can confirm your calling, while honest correction can help you improve. The Bible says, "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14). If you have good people in your life who honestly monitor your productivity, you can easily grow into your purpose.
VINCENT VAN GOGH
Vincent van Gogh is one of the world's greatedt artist. But he tried several careers, which seemed unsuccessful, before becoming an artist. He worked as an art dealer, teacher, and missionary, but none proved to be his life's work.
His brother, Theo van Gogh, consistently encouraged him, gave him honest feedback, and financially supported his artistic development. Theo believed in Vincent's artistic gift even when Vincent doubted himself.
That encouragement helped Vincent continue painting, and although he received little recognition during his lifetime, he became one of history's most influential artists.
There are times when honest encouragement from someone who knows you well can help you recognize a calling you might otherwise overlook. It may be a little gift you are not paying attention to, but listen to those who know you well.
Their honest words of encouragement and direction may be the sunshine that lights on your seed of gift to grow into a great purpose you have no idea about.
WALT DISNEY
Before Walt Disney ever became one of the world's most influential storytellers, he faced repeated setbacks and criticism. Some early employers questioned his abilities, and several of his business ventures struggled.
During these difficult seasons, his older brother, Roy Disney, became one of his most trusted advisers. Roy was honest about the financial and practical challenges of Walt's ideas, but he also recognized Walt's extraordinary creativity and continually encouraged him to develop it rather than abandon it.
Roy's honest feedback did more than offer encouragement, it provided the balance Walt needed. While Walt was a visionary dreamer, Roy helped him make wise decisions, manage resources, and stay focused on his greatest strengths.
Honest feedback is not only about pointing out weaknesses; it is also about helping someone recognize and maximize the gifts they already possess. Roy's confidence in Walt reinforced the direction of his life and helped him persevere through disappointment.
Purpose is often clarified through the voices of trusted people around us. Sometimes, we are too close to our own lives to see our greatest potential clearly.
Honest feedback from mentors, family members, friends, or colleagues can reveal strengths we overlook, correct blind spots, and give us the confidence to pursue the purpose God has placed within us.
Wise counsel does not create your purpose, but it can help you recognize and fulfill it more effectively. When the journey to purpose becomes difficult to identify, talk to trusted people for confirmation. It will help you clarify your focus.
3. OUTPUT - Evaluate the Fruit and Results of Your Work.
Purpose is not measured simply by effort but by fruitfulness. It is possible to work very hard and still not produce meaningful results.
Therefore, regularly evaluate the outcome of what you do. Ask yourself whether your work is making a lasting difference in the lives of others.
Consider questions like:
- Are people benefiting from what I do?
- Are lives being changed?
- Do my efforts consistently solve problems or create value?
- Is my work glorifying God and serving others?
When your work repeatedly bears good fruit, it is a strong indication that you are operating within an area of gifting and purpose. The Bible says, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit..." (John 15:8)
THOMAS EDISON
Thomas Edison did not judge his work by ideas alone, he evaluated it by results. He tested thousands of materials while trying to invent a practical electric light bulb.
Each experiment produced an outcome. Rather than viewing unsuccessful attempts as failures, he studied them to understand what did not work and used that knowledge to improve the next experiment.
As he saw the impact of inventions like the phonograph and the practical incandescent light bulb, it became clear that his greatest purpose was solving practical problems through innovation. His purpose was confirmed by the fruit his work produced.
Evaluate the results of your efforts. The work that consistently creates value, solves problems, and positively impacts others may be pointing you toward your purpose. However, you must also remember that not every worthwhile endeavour produces immediate results.
Some callings require years of learning, perseverance, and refinement before their true value becomes evident. Therefore, a lack of instant success does not necessarily mean you are on the wrong path.
The life of Thomas Alva Edison shows that while he was developing the practical incandescent light bulb, Edison conducted thousands of experiments that did not achieve the desired outcome.
For most of us, we would say Mr. Edision failed at thousands of experiments. And we are right, because he did. They didn't work. But see this: Rather than Edison himself seeing those attempts as failures, he treated them as valuable lessons that brought him closer to success.
His persistence eventually led to one of the most important inventions in history - Incandescent Light Bulb. The lesson here is this: Evaluate your results, but do not judge your purpose solely by immediate outcomes.
Look for progress, growth, lessons learned, and the value you are creating over time. Some purposes are revealed quickly, while others emerge through faithfulness, perseverance, and patience.
Consistent effort, continuous improvement, and many years of patience can often transform today's small results into tomorrow's lasting impact. Just keep believing, and doing.
4. OPTIMIZE - Develop Your Strengths.
Developing your strengths is an important part of discovering and fulfilling your purpose. Many people spend most of their time focusing on their weaknesses while neglecting the abilities, talents, and qualities they already possess.
However, purpose is often hidden inside the things you naturally do well and the areas where you consistently create value. Discovering your effectiveness is only the beginning; you must also develop it.
Gifts grow through learning, practice, discipline, and experience. The more you invest in your strengths, the more effective you become, and the greater your impact.
Read books, attend training programmes, seek mentors, practise consistently, and look for opportunities to improve. Don't neglect your strongest abilities while trying to master everything else.
God expects us to be faithful stewards of the gifts He has entrusted to us. Remember, excellence is developed, not inherited. As you sharpen your strengths, your purpose becomes more evident and your influence expands.
Paul admonished us, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed..." (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV)
MICHAEL JORDAN
Michael Jordan had natural athletic ability, but his success came from intentionally developing his strengths. As a young player, he was not always considered the best, and he experienced setbacks, including being cut from his high school varsity team.
Instead of giving up, he developed his strengths through discipline, training, and relentless practice. He improved his shooting, footwork, defense, and understanding of the game until his talent became exceptional.
Through developing his abilities, he discovered that his strength was not just playing basketball but inspiring excellence, leadership, and determination in others.
OPRAH WINFREY
Oprah Winfrey discovered her strength in communication and connecting with people from an early age. She developed her ability to speak, listen, tell stories, and understand people's experiences.
Through education, experience, and continuous improvement, she transformed her communication skills into a global platform that influenced millions of people.
Her purpose was not discovered simply because she could talk; it was discovered because she developed that ability into a tool for encouragement, storytelling, and impact.
A strength is more than a natural ability. It is a potential that requires development before it can make a lasting impact. Raw talent may attract attention, but refined strength creates value.
The process of learning, practicing, receiving correction, and gaining experience transforms ability into excellence. Yet refinement alone is not enough.
A strength finds its highest purpose when it is used to meet the needs of others. Your knowledge becomes a gift when it teaches. Your leadership becomes a gift when it serves. Your creativity becomes a gift when it inspires. Your compassion becomes a gift when it comforts.
Purpose is not fulfilled merely by possessing strengths, but by stewarding them for the benefit of others. Do not measure your strengths only by what they can do for you. Measure them also by the lives they can improve.
The greatest fulfillment comes when your abilities become instruments of service, growth, and transformation.
CONCLUSION
Purpose is often revealed through effectiveness. As you observe where you consistently produce results, obtain honest feedback from trusted people, evaluate the output and fruit of your work, and continually optimize your strengths, you will gain greater clarity about the purpose God has placed on your life.
God does not call us merely to be busy; He calls us to be fruitful. Your greatest effectiveness is often found where your God-given gifts, faithful service, and God's grace intersect.
Therefore, do not compare your effectiveness with others. Instead, focus on faithfully developing and using the gifts God has entrusted to you. Jesus reminds us, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John 15:8).
Never ignore the places where God consistently enables you to make a difference. Your effectiveness today may be the clearest evidence of your purpose tomorrow. God bless you.
Kind regards,
JOHN ARTHUR.
Author & President.
Check the following links to buy copies of my books.
1. The Friendship Of Samson And Delilah: Why You Should Avoid Bad Friends
2. The Friendship Of David And Jonathan: Why You Should Have True Friends
3. BE YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND: How To Love Yourself And Fulfill Your Purpose
4. Dating And Friendship: A New Model For A Lasting Love Relationship
5. BECOMING TRUE FRIENDS IN A TURBULENT WORLD (Friendship Today - Vol. 1)
6. CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS, DON'T LET YOUR FRIENDS CHOOSE YOU
7. Beware Of Bad Friends