Finding Your Purpose

Jentezen Franklin in his book, “Believe You Can” relates the following story. “One winter day in Biloxi, Mississippi, a twenty-five-year-old woman decided to kill herself. She couldn't take it anymore and she wanted her life to be over. She went to a bridge over the Mississippi River. The water was frigid, and the bridge was high. She climbed over the railing and threw herself over. She hit the water with a terrible smack and started sinking. Unbeknownst to her, a man on the bank of the river saw her jump. When he did not see her surface, he jumped in to rescue her. She was sinking deeper when she heard him dive in. And then she started to hear this poor man flailing around. When he jumped in, he had forgotten that he didn't know how to swim! This heroic idiot was splashing and screaming, "Help! Help!" So the woman who was trying to kill herself swam to him and pulled him out onto the bank. He was choking, so she gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Somebody called 911, and both of them were taken to the hospital. Both of them survived.” Franklin continues by saying, “I read about this in a news article, and the journalist who wrote up the story ended it with these words:” ‘That night, it wasn't the man who saved her life. It was purpose that saved her life.’ Her purpose was to save the drowning man. Instantly, she had a mission. And having a mission saved her own life.” I wonder how many people are thrashing around in those same waters. Purpose is must for all of us and most often we try to find it while being focused upon ourselves. However, it is not found by hopelessly jumping into the abyss of our own personal struggles. Rather, we discover it as we concentrate on pulling others out of theirs. This truth was solidified by the critique of those observing the crucifixion of Jesus. Little did they know their words, “He saved others; let him save himself” was the prescription for lifelong purpose. Even greater was their failure in realizing Jesus’ action on the cross was accomplishing the very thing they were suggesting. He in fact was “saving himself by saving others.” Jesus fulfilled his purpose, have you found yours?