For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ – Jeremiah 6:16 NIV

People are designed to know when we are not aligned with our God-given Identity + Purpose in every aspect of our lives.

Whether you call it your sixth sense, a gut feeling, or trusting your inner compass, you know when you are out of alignment with your identity + purpose and drifting off course in your career and life.  

I know because I drifted off course for the first 39 years of my life, and 22 years of my career, before I realized … Purpose is not a side hustle. It’s a full-time, lifelong pursuit.

By 1999, my career was a success, but my life was a mess. Deep down inside there was an emptiness I could not fill, an unquenchable thirst I could not satisfy, and a nagging sense that I was drifting further and further off course in my marriage, role as a father, and career. That’s why I accepted David Sparkman’s invitation to write this blog for Career Crossroads.  I can’t stand the thought of talented, motivated, hard-working people like you drifting further off course in your career and life.

Spoiler Alert: Unless you clearly define your identity + purpose FIRST, you run a real risk of  wasting your time updating your resume, networking and submitting job applications.

But don’t just take my word for it. Please listen to what two wise men learned about trying to live + work without knowing our purpose:

Solomon (935 BC) tells us, “But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless— like chasing after the wind.”  Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

Marcus Aurelius (121 A.D.) said, “People who labor all their lives but have no purpose to direct every thought and impulse toward are wasting their time-even when hard at work.”

If you’re tired of chasing the wind, drifting off course, or not being able to land your dream job, I encourage you to lean into the 3 insights below to begin your journey to experiencing greater personal fulfillment while making a lasting impact in other people’s lives. 

1. Purpose is not a side hustle. You were Made on Purpose to serve a specific purpose at home, at work, and at large. 24/7/lifetime. Ephesians 2:10 Jeremiah 29:11-13
2. You have a built in GPS to navigate your career and life. Turn it on and use it. God’s Word + His Spirit = God’s Positioning System (GPS) Jeremiah 6:16 Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 6:33
3. Your career success and ability to earn income do not depend upon you. You have already been given everything you need to succeed in fulfilling God’s Purpose for your career and life.  Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Matthew 6:33, 2 Peter 1:3-11

To learn more about Joe Colavito and JourneyLIFE’s mission to help more people Live + Work on Purpose visit www.gojourneylife.com