Out of our pain, our purpose is born. I’ve used that phase each time I’ve had the opportunity to speak in the last ten years. It speaks of redemption to me.

In the midst of pain, it’s difficult to see or feel anything except for pain. As you find relief from your past and you begin to look back, it becomes crystal clear that your pain has impacted and even changed your life.

What nearly destroyed you can become the very thing that gives you purpose to help others find hope.
I truly believe that if I hadn’t faced the situations and challenges in my life, I would have never been able to help as many people as we have. Our pain led us to places we never knew existed, both good and bad. It gave us a passion to help others and compassion to meet people where they are. Our pain impacted us in terrible ways, but because of it, we’ve been able to impact others in incredible ways.

Each of us has a specific purpose for an opportune time with an eternal purpose. Attach your purpose to everything you do. Don’t worry about how bad the world is, instead be a light with your purpose and use it to make an impact.

Finding Your Purpose
Recently we had the opportunity to attend church in Birmingham, Alabama with our friends Mark and Rosetta. The message was about the importance of purpose and understanding that you’re not one in a million, you’re one of a kind. I love this because it speaks to our uniqueness and the role that only we can play in our lifetime.

I’m often asked how I discovered my purpose but the truth is, it discovered me after years of experiencing pain, blame, and shame.  Regardless, you don’t have to experience what we did to discover your purpose. The Pastor in Alabama presented three points that Sunday about finding your purpose:

1. Your purpose is found in your gifts and passions.
2. Your Purpose is found in your life’s experience.
3. There is a purpose in your pain.

I couldn’t say it more succinct than that. To discover your purpose, you have to explore all three. Someone in those three points, you will discover your purpose (or maybe it will discover you.) I believe when you do, you’ll see the truth that you’re one of a kind and you have a job to do that is unique to you. I hope you discover your purpose and experience the joy-filled life that comes as a result.

Have you discovered your purpose? What is it?