Section 2: Overcoming Possible Perils of Purpose
Every peril of purpose is an opportunity to deepen your reliance on the Creator. Submission to divine wisdom protects your journey from the distractions of ignorance, despair, and arrogance.
The Six Perils of Purpose are the distinct ways that we could become derailed on our journey to discovering and realizing our purpose. Each of these perils represents the violation of principle, and this violation can destroy your purpose and potential. Remember, principles are meant to safeguard and guide us, ensuring alignment with a higher divinely authored plan.Without these guiding principles, which are meant to be blessings—like power, time, and even life itself—can become distorted into curses. Similarly, without a firm adherence to principles, the benefits of pursuing our purpose can become dangerous pitfalls.
Yet, highlighting these perils are not in place for you to dismay. Instead, they are reminders of ways that you can stay on course, and what to look out for as you commit yourself to the plans of your Manufacturer. Always remember that each of these perils can be counteracted with submitting your heart and mind to your Creator and living in fellowship with The Creator daily.
The Perils of Purpose
The Peril of Ignorance- Ignorance is the number one enemy of life and the most destructive force this world knows. An ignorance of your purpose is having little or no knowledge, education or experience concerning the reason for your existence. It is important to understand that the peril of ignorance is not limited to no knowledge but that a little knowledge can be equally, if not more devastating. Remember, there is a difference between knowledge and understanding, while we may know the general facts we may not have grasped an understanding for the significance of our lives. Knowledge without understanding gives a false sense of security. The fact that you are taking this course is evidence that you will not succumb to the perils of ignorance regarding your purpose.
The Peril of Despair- When we do have knowledge and understanding of the purpose for our lives the most common peril that creeps into our hearts is the peril of despair. Despair manifests in our lives when vision and reality are far apart. Despair is the fruit of impatience. The contrast between the glowing vision of what will manifest one day, and the reality of our repeated ups and downs dampens enthusiasm. This leads to periods when we stumble and falter. Yet, when we embrace the fact that our Creator redeems time and uses ALL things to work together for our good, then we could free ourselves of despair. Once we accept these truths then we can focus our energies on the business of living with purpose.
The Peril of Idolatry- Idolatry is replacing the Creator with something else. Prolonged desperation, despair and/or impatience opens the door for idolatry. When we fail to wait on the Creator’s timetable, we step out of alignment with the synchronic powers of grace. It can be expected on the journey to realizing purpose that there will be the temptation to focus on the temporary struggles of the journey, rather than on the One who calls us to the journey. This can lead to placing other things and/or people above the One who called us to purpose. An example of this is relationships and marriage which were designed by our Creator to be a help and a blessing to our purpose and relationship with Him, yet many tend to idolize these things about Him. Idolatry short circuits our potential and detours our purpose. It also removes us from the intimacy of the vision and direction that The Most High desires for our lives.
The Peril of Arrogance- Arrogance arises when we presume to know how and when the Creator will act, thereby placing limitations on divine wisdom and potentially interfering with the fulfillment of our purpose. This presumption binds the Creator’s hands, hindering or even nullifying the intended plan. As a result of the peril of arrogance we waste time, energy and resources because we are no longer in tune with the direct instructions meant to guide us along the path. While living in a relationship with the Creator does deepen our understanding of divine will, it does not grant us the ability to fully comprehend the Creator's heart and mind. We must acknowledge our limited perspective and resist the urge to assume we know the nature and scope of divine purposes better than the Creator. Embracing humility is essential to remaining aligned with the Creator's guidance and avoiding the peril of arrogance, which can derail our journey and distort our true purpose.
The Peril of Criticism- Another peril of living purposefully is rooted in both arrogance and judgment, and that is the tendency to criticize others when their vision and ours do not much up or align. Given that we can not assume that we know the fullness of the Creator’s heart and mind for us, imagine how much more it is so for the lives of others. We must not assume that others are wasting their lives if their actions and understandings are not the same as ours. What may be doing “good” by the world’s standards, may not be right by Kingdom standards.
The Peril of Deception- Deception becomes a peril when we choose to disregard the Creator and the divinely inspired purposes for our lives, allowing ourselves to be influenced by negative forces. If we fail to recognize and pursue our true purpose, other influences can lead us astray, convincing us to follow a false path. Even when we do know our purpose, these influences can disrupt our progress, pushing us too fast, too slow, or leading us off course. The journey towards fulfilling our purpose includes the risk of deception, which leads to negative consequences. Deception can also manifest when we blame others for our shortcomings or rely too heavily on external sources for direction and purpose, instead of staying true to the guidance of the Creator. Recognizing and guarding against deception is crucial to staying on the path of true purpose and avoiding the destruction that comes from being misled.
Once again, we studied these perils not to be dismayed or discouraged. Rather, the clearest most necessary lesson that we should learn from these perils is that we NEED The Most High. None of these perils survive in the presence of a relationship with your Creator. Therefore, if what you are doing (which you may be calling your purpose) does not require the marvelous works of your Manufacturer and their presence to get it done, then it is not your Manufacturer’s assignment for your life. Therefore, if at this point you have identified your purpose as something that only requires the raw materials of your gifts, talents and personal will to get it done, then it's not your purpose.
Lastly, the fear and intimidation that you feel regarding your purpose is a result of The Creator’s presence, and necessary ongoing presence, in your purpose. Remember, courage is required to realize purpose and courage cannot exist in the absence of fear. To be courageous you must first be afraid.
How To Overcome Fear
Watch Video: 2:23 mins
