It didn’t take me long to realize that when God calls you into purpose, it’s not just about passion, prayer, and positive vibes. Purpose is a building project, and like any grand construction, it requires specific players and resources. Without these in place, you’ll be spinning in circles, wondering why the vision feels stuck in the dream stage.
I’ve come to understand that every God-ordained purpose needs four essential pillars:
1. The Vision Giver: God, the Creative Architect
First things first—you can’t build without a blueprint. God, in His infinite creativity, is the Vision Giver. He doesn’t just randomly hand you dreams and desires. No, He sketches the design, down to the finest detail.
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that He knows the plans He has for us—plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give us hope and a future. Notice it says He knows the plans, not we know the plans. God sees the end from the beginning, but He often reveals the vision in phases, like puzzle pieces handed out over time.
Think of Noah. God gave him the vision of the ark long before rain was even a concept. But Noah had to trust the Vision Giver and build faithfully, plank by plank, without fully understanding the why.
2. The Vision Planner: You, the Chosen Executor
Once God deposits the vision, it’s on you to steward it. You are the Vision Planner—the one chosen to turn divine revelation into practical steps.
Habakkuk 2:2 puts it plainly: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.” Writing it down does two things: it clarifies your understanding and keeps you accountable. A vision floating in your head will never manifest—it needs structure.
But planning requires faith and discipline. It’s asking:
What does obedience look like today?
Who do I need to connect with?
What skills should I develop?
What distractions must I eliminate?
Here’s the hard truth: many God-given dreams die in the planning stage because we confuse waiting on God with neglecting responsibility. Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). You can pray all day, but until you take action, the vision remains dormant.
3. The Vision Builder: You (or Your Successor)
Now comes the heavy lifting. Sometimes, you are both the Planner and the Builder. Other times, like David, your role is to prepare the way while someone else executes.
David had the vision to build God’s temple, but because he was a man of war, the task was passed to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:3). Yet, David didn’t sulk. He gathered resources—gold, cedar, skilled laborers—so Solomon could build with ease.
This raises an important question: Are you called to build, or are you called to prepare the way? Both roles are vital. Moses led the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land, but Joshua took them in. Elijah performed miracles, but Elisha carried the mantle further.
If you’re building, brace yourself—this stage requires resilience. Opposition will come. Doubt will creep in. Resources might dry up. But Philippians 1:6 assures us: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
4. The Tools & Resources: People, Funds, and Divine Timing
Even the best builder can’t construct without the right tools. Purpose demands resources—skills, finances, partnerships, and, most importantly, divine timing.
God always provides, but provision follows obedience. Sometimes, the resource is wisdom. Sometimes, it’s a divine connection, like Hiram of Tyre, who provided Solomon with cedar and gold (1 Kings 5:1-10). Other times, it’s actual finances. But provision flows where God’s vision leads.
Philippians 4:19 promises, “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” The key word here is needs, not wants. God funds His projects, not ego-driven side quests.
But resources aren’t always material. Sometimes, the greatest tools are people. Who is in your circle? Are they building with you or tearing down? Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls with the help of faithful laborers. Without the right team, even the clearest vision can stall.
Where Do You Stand?
Now, here’s the heart-check moment:
Are you receiving the vision but ignoring the plan? Maybe God’s been speaking, but you’ve been procrastinating, waiting for a “perfect moment” that will never come.
Are you planning but afraid to build? Fear of failure often paralyzes us. Remember, Peter only experienced the miracle of walking on water when he stepped out of the boat.
Are you building without the right tools? Exhaustion often signals a lack of alignment. Are you working in your strength or God's provision?
Or have you mistaken yourself for the Vision Giver? Sometimes, we run ahead of God, building castles He never authorized.
My Personal Journey: Falling, Rising, and Trying Again
When I began this journey two years ago, I didn’t expect it to unfold the way it did. I had dreams, excitement, and what I thought was clarity. But purpose has a way of humbling you.
There were moments I lost hope. Times I gave up completely. Frustration hit when I felt like I could do more but didn’t know how. And sometimes, I just withdrew. I laid down my tools and convinced myself it wasn’t worth the fight.
But here’s what I learned the hard way: the longer you stay down, the more you delay the process. Purpose doesn’t pause because you’re tired. It waits, quietly, until you rise again.
So, I got up. I tried again. And if I’m honest? I’m still trying every single day. But now, I’m walking with a little more wisdom in my backpack—like Dora the Explorer, collecting lessons along the way.
I’ve realized there’s more to come. The path won’t always make sense, but one thing is clear: I need to stay the course and keep my eyes on God. Period. Because in the end, purpose is less about perfection and more about persistence.
Where do you lie in the grand scheme of things? Are you holding the vision, planning, building, or resourcing? Whatever your role, remember this: God equips those He calls. Keep going. Your "Solomon moment" might be closer than you think.
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