Living with Purpose: Embracing God's Intentional Design

So often, life can feel like a series of accidents, distractions, and missed opportunities, leaving us wondering if our lives truly matter or have any real purpose. Yet, God’s Word assures us that we are not here by accident or coincidence. Each of us is an intentional creation, placed in this moment and season by God’s sovereign design. He has orchestrated every detail, not just for our own sake, but for something eternal and far greater than we can imagine. Our lives are not random; we are called to live with purpose, on purpose, and for a purpose that outlasts our assignments, roles, or titles.

It’s easy to shrink our stories, to believe that our contributions are too small or insignificant to matter. But just as a puzzle is incomplete without every single piece, God’s plan is not complete without your unique part. The temptation to compare ourselves to others or to measure our worth by worldly standards only leads us away from our true calling. Instead, we are invited to embrace the unique purpose God has for us, recognizing that our calling is to know Jesus, grow in Him, and show Him to others—regardless of our specific assignments in life.

Paul’s example in Acts and Philippians reminds us to set a straight course, to press on toward the upward call of God, undeterred by distractions, setbacks, or even suffering. Our calling is not defined by our current job, position, or season of life; those are merely assignments that change over time. The calling itself—to live for Christ and make Him known—remains constant and eternal. Even when we feel like we’ve failed, missed our chance, or had something taken from us, God is able to restore and repurpose us for His glory, as seen in the story of Samson.

Living on purpose means being intentional with every day, every word, and every opportunity, knowing that our legacy is shaped not by accident but by deliberate pursuit of God’s will. Whether our assignment is public or hidden, glamorous or humble, God can use it for eternal impact—just as He did with Florence Nightingale, who changed the world by simply saying yes to God’s call, even when it cost her everything. The invitation is to surrender our lives afresh, to let go of distractions, and to say yes to God’s purpose, trusting that He will fit our piece perfectly into His grand design.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. You Are Not an Accident—You Are God’s Intentional Creation Life may feel random or accidental, but God has placed you here, now, with a distinct and eternal purpose. You are not a product of chance or a cosmic experiment; you are a vital part of God’s sovereign plan, crafted for significance beyond what you can see. Embracing this truth shifts your perspective from insignificance to divine appointment. [53:49]
• 2. Don’t Shrink Your Story—Your Role Is Irreplaceable It’s tempting to believe that your contribution is too small to matter, but in God’s puzzle, every piece is essential. Without your obedience and participation, the picture is incomplete. Refuse to let comparison or feelings of inadequacy rob you of your place in God’s story; your faithfulness, however ordinary it seems, is eternally significant. [63:14]
• 3. Distinguish Between Calling and Assignment Your calling—to know, grow in, and show Jesus—remains constant, while your assignments (jobs, roles, seasons) will change. Confusing the two leads to identity crises when circumstances shift. Root your sense of purpose in your unchanging calling, not in temporary assignments, so that transitions become opportunities for greater impact rather than sources of loss. [77:10]
• 4. Press On, Even After Failure or Loss Past mistakes, missed opportunities, or even the actions of others cannot disqualify you from God’s purpose. Like Samson, God can restore and use you again if you are willing to say, “Lord, strengthen me one more time.” The measure of your legacy is not perfection, but your willingness to keep pressing forward, forgetting what is behind and reaching for what lies ahead. [88:45]
• 5. Living on Purpose Requires Daily Surrender and Intentionality Purpose is not a concept to stumble upon, but a reality to be lived out with intention. Whether your assignment is celebrated or unseen, offer it to God as worship, knowing that He can use even the smallest acts for eternal good. Say yes to God’s call, surrender distractions, and trust that your obedience will have ripple effects far beyond your imagination. [103:56]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [48:52] - Introduction and Personal Stories
• [51:58] - Wrestling with Purpose and Meaning
• [53:49] - God’s Intentional Design for Your Life
• [55:42] - Living Beyond Accidents: Embracing Purpose
• [57:34] - Don’t Shrink Your Story
• [61:21] - The Power of Perspective and Small Offerings
• [63:14] - The Puzzle Piece: Your Irreplaceable Role
• [65:10] - Setting a Straight Course: Paul’s Example
• [69:36] - The Danger of Distraction and Comparison
• [72:43] - Known Will vs. Unknown Will of God
• [76:30] - Calling vs. Assignment
• [84:46] - Overcoming Distraction and the Enemy’s Tactics
• [86:45] - Pressing On After Failure
• [92:37] - Living on Purpose, Not by Accident
• [96:58] - Purpose in Every Assignment
• [98:09] - The Story of Florence Nightingale
• [103:56] - Surrendering to God’s Purpose
• [105:10] - Responding to God’s Call
• [108:17] - Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Acts 21:1, 13 (ESV) — > 1 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
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> 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV) — > 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
> 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
> 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:23 (ESV) — > 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Observation Questions

1. In Acts 21:1, what does it mean that Paul and his companions “set sail running a straight course”? How does the sermon connect this to living with purpose? ([01:04:31])
2. According to Philippians 3:13-14, what is Paul’s attitude toward his past and his future? What does he say he is pressing toward? ([01:26:45])
3. The sermon uses the image of a puzzle piece. What point is the pastor making with this illustration? ([01:03:14])
4. In Colossians 3:23, what is the motivation given for how we should approach our work or assignments? ([01:36:58])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “You are not an accident—You are God’s intentional creation.” How does this truth challenge the way people often view their own lives and worth? ([53:49])
2. Why does the pastor warn against “shrinking your story” or thinking your role is insignificant? What are the dangers of this mindset for both the individual and the church? ([01:03:14])
3. The difference between “calling” and “assignment” is emphasized. Why is it important to distinguish between the two, and what problems can arise if we confuse them? ([01:17:10])
4. How does Paul’s example of pressing on after failure or loss (Philippians 3) encourage believers who feel like they have missed their chance or made mistakes? ([01:28:45])

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared about times when he felt his contribution was too small to matter, like giving a dollar in the offering. Have you ever felt like your efforts or gifts were insignificant? How did you respond, and how might God want you to see those moments differently? ([01:00:01])
2. The sermon warns about the temptation to compare ourselves to others. What is one area of your life where you struggle with comparison, and how does it affect your sense of purpose? What would it look like to embrace your unique calling this week? ([01:12:07])
3. Think about your current “assignment” (job, family role, season of life). How can you live out your unchanging calling to know, grow in, and show Jesus in this assignment, even if it feels ordinary or hidden? ([01:17:10])
4. The story of Samson was used to show that God can restore and repurpose us after failure. Is there an area of your life where you need to pray, “Lord, strengthen me one more time”? What would it look like to take a step forward in that area? ([01:28:45])
5. The pastor described living “on purpose” as being intentional with every day, word, and opportunity. What is one practical way you can be more intentional in your daily routine this week? ([01:36:58])
6. Florence Nightingale’s story was shared as an example of someone who said “yes” to God’s call, even when it cost her everything. Is there something you sense God is asking you to surrender or say “yes” to, even if it’s difficult? What is holding you back? ([01:43:56])
7. The sermon ended with an invitation to surrender distractions and say “yes” to God’s purpose. What is one distraction you need to let go of in order to pursue God’s purpose more fully? How can your group support you in this? ([01:43:56])