What Purpose Is Not

Devotional

Many frustrations come from pursuing the wrong definitions of purpose. The world teaches us to define purpose by success, earnings, fame, talent, or passion—but Scripture teaches otherwise. Purpose is not your means to wealth. It is not built on money, and it does not begin with income. Though purpose may eventually influence your finances, it is never rooted in them. If money becomes the motive, purpose becomes distorted.

Purpose is also not your hobby. What you enjoy doing may contribute to purpose, but it is not automatically purpose. Many preferences come from upbringing, culture, personality, or exposure—not from God. Without God’s approval, an enjoyable activity cannot be labelled purpose.

Furthermore, purpose is not the same as personal ambition. God may allow you to dream, but purpose comes from His intention, not your imagination. Ambitions can be noble, but they are not necessarily divine. You cannot assume that your dreams define who you are in God’s plan.

This is why true purpose must be discovered, not assumed. It requires yielding, praying, listening, and submitting your desires to God. When wrong definitions fall away, your heart becomes free to receive God’s authentic direction. Then purpose becomes a joyful discovery rather than a pressured pursuit.

Prayer

Father, free me from wrong definitions of purpose. Deliver me from selfish ambition and align my heart with Your intentions. Teach me to value Your will above my own desires. Amen.