Many people struggle to identify the area in life that they are called to impact.  One survey suggests that 51% of college students are unclear about their career path when they enter college.[1] I also think that the COVID-19 pandemic has also revealed how uncertainty around career paths and goals can create a crisis for people who were unsure or unclear about their purpose and assignment in the first place.

This article from McKinsey & Company states, “Nearly two-thirds of US-based employees we surveyed said that COVID-19 has caused them to reflect on their purpose in life. And nearly half said that they are reconsidering the kind of work they do because of the pandemic. Millennials were three times more likely than others to say that they were reevaluating work”. [2] In addition, the survey from Mckinsey & Company suggests that 70% of employees indicated that their sense of purpose is defined by their work. [3]

All these statistics and findings reaffirm that finding purpose is mission-critical for living a fulfilling life and making an impact.

So, it begs the question, how can you identify your life assignment?  You will need to develop your S.I.G.H.T.

SCAN: Begin to ask the Lord to open your eyes toward your surroundings. Work to figure out what is impacting or driving change in your surroundings that is causing you significant concern, pain, worry, or passion to change.  

I like what the scripture says about the men of Issachar: “Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command” (1 Chronicles 12:32, NASB).

Many times, when you are passionate to see something change, this is often a key indicator that there lies your assignment. God will begin to give you strategies to make an impact.

INTERROGATE: Ask yourself what are the threats and opportunities that exist in the area that you have a burden to change. How are you currently structured to make changes to move forward to make an impact? Do you have the passion, skills, and expertise? Are you willing to develop what is needed to rise to the occasion and be the change?

GOALS: As you discern threats and opportunities begin to think strategically and set and execute goals to deal with these threats and opportunities.

HORIZON: Keep the vision (horizon) before you as it relates to your goals. What do you think the area of change would look like when the Kingdom of God is manifested there?

TRACK: Keep measuring the progress you’re making in that area of change.

What area do you feel God is calling you to impact? How would you use the S.I.G.H.T. to get clear on your assignment?

[1] Business Wire. (2019, October 14). Business Wire. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191014005009/en/New-Survey-Student-Confusion-Selecting-Majors-Increases-Higher-Education-Cost-and-Time-to-Earn-Degree

[2]Dhingra, N., Samo, A., Schaninger, B., & Schrimper, M. (2021, June 3). Help your employees find purpose—or watch them leave. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/help-your-employees-find-purpose-or-watch-them-leave

[3] Ibid.