“God’s writing my story!”  This is what I would hold on to when the journey of life and the pursuit to fulfill the call of God on my life did not appear to yield in any fruit in certain seasons of my life. I was called to the ministry at the age of 16.  I remembered telling my father that I wanted to go to Bible College and skip going to “regular” College. 

I remember his wise words to me, “perhaps you can get your undergraduate degree, then go to Bible college.”  I looked back in hindsight… three academic degrees, and several ministry entrepreneurial endeavors later, I see that God was writing my purpose story along the way.  All of which have converged into the establishing of the King’s Collective Network.  It was a 14-year story in the making! 

Never devalue or disregard your story. Themes from your story are key indicators of your life purpose. I am reminded of Psalm 139: 16-17:

16 Your eyes have seen my formless substance; And in Your book were written All the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God! How vast is the sum of them! (NASB)

As the Psalmist put together this song, there is a reflection on the ways of God and how God knows the Psalmist intricately and intimately. This is a continuing theme in scripture (See Psalm 56:8; Jeremiah 1:5).   God is familiar with your unfolding story and has a purpose in your story.

 This means that you must become intentional in reflecting on your story and asking the question, “what does my story tell me about my purpose?”

Here are 7 things you can glean from your story to help you clarify your purpose:

1. You are an image-bearer of God; therefore, your life is significant (Psalm 8) and your story matters.  Your story reveals the mosaic art that God is painting as you partner with Him (God, the Author).
2. You story can reveal how your skills you were using in the background helped to shape the trajectory of your life (See how David sharpened his skills as a warrior and how it prepared him for the battle that shifted him into his purpose (1 Samuel 17:34-36) (Skill).
3. Your story can reveal your passion to be a problem solver and a catalyst for change. Look at Moses and how he emerged as a deliverer and a Lawgiver of Israel (Exodus 2) (Passion).
4. Your story can reveal how you overcome setbacks, disappointment, and pain like Job (Grit).
5. Your story can reveal the values that have helped to shape your life that help you not to compromise like Daniel in Babylon (Values). 
6. Your story can reveal how you overcame self-doubt and developed courage to make impact like Gideon (Confidence)
7.  Your story can reveal how you were looked upon in a negative way in society, but God used you in an unlikely way like Rahab, the prostitute (Joshua 2) (Courage).

What stories about your life can you recall that have been the most impactful? How have these stories shaped your understanding of your purpose?