While God has destined each person to do something great for His kingdom, many times people forfeit the plan God has for them. They make decisions that derail their purpose. Each and every person has been created with a purpose. David wrote in the Psalms, “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (139:16 NLT). God has already written about the destiny of every baby that will be born. He has already crafted a unique calling for every boy and girl, man and woman. Psalms 139 goes on the say that God’s thoughts and dreams about us are innumerable. Therefore, I want to write briefly about the role you play in either destroying or unlocking your purpose.

Peter is a great example of someone who unlocked his purpose. He goes from being an average fisherman to being a disciple to being an apostle who became a fisher of men. Peter’s life was so transformed that even his shadow began to heal people. What was it that turned Peter’s life around? What happened to him that unlocked his purpose? I believe that answer is found in Matthew 16:13-19.

In this passage Jesus declares Peter’s identity and destiny. He says to him, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven . . .” (16:18, 19a). So what was it that provoked Jesus to make these declarations over Peter? Peter first did the right thing with Jesus.

Jesus and Peter’s conversation begins with Jesus asking, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” After the disciples respond, Jesus then asks, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Because Peter gets the answer right, Jesus then goes on to declare Peter’s destiny. Peter’s ability to do the right thing with Jesus unlocked his purpose. In spite of the opinions of other men, Peter responded appropriately by declaring Jesus to be the Son of God and by giving his life to Him. This is the only way that we can unlock our purpose.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” We see in this verse the undeniable truth that God has “prepared beforehand” a purpose for each person. However, the only way we can fulfill that purpose is by being “created in Christ Jesus.” It is only when we respond appropriately to Jesus that our purpose is released and we walk in the calling of God.

Today, simplify your life. Realize that you don’t find purpose by taking career and personality tests or by jockeying for positions. You find purpose when you simply do the right thing with Jesus. You find purpose when you see Jesus as more than a moral teacher or a great philosopher, but as the Son of God who is worthy of your entire life. Today, do the right thing with Jesus, and unlock your purpose.

-Micah