Understanding and fulfilling your life’s purpose

Emmanuel Mbakwe
Jul 24, 2017 · 3 min read

Reading: Genesis 42:1–45:27

I and many others have said this more than I can remember: every human being has a purpose why God has placed him or her on this earth. There is a reason why each has been created. Put another way: God has a purpose for your life. Our task is to discover what that purpose is, align ourselves with it and live accordingly. Understanding and accepting one’s life’s purpose is the first step in its fulfillment.

One of the greatest examples of a man who understand, embraced and successfully lived out his purpose is a man called Joseph. If the prevailing tradition of the day was followed, one would not expect Joseph to have been the one given such a privilege and huge responsibility; as he was the eleventh of his father’s twelve sons. But such is the nature of grace. He was specially chosen and positioned to lead by God, for the benefit of his brothers.

So, we ask, what was the purpose of Joseph’s life? It was the preservation of God’s heritage. His reason for being was to be the instrument through which the children of Israel would be preserved in Egypt through the years of famine. When we consider his early years, his life purpose was not so evident. The first key indicator of his life that we see is his two recorded dreams, the meaning of which put him in a position of prominence and headship, not only above his brothers but also his parents. No one, not even Joseph himself could have foreseen the challenging road he had to travel towards the fulfillment of God’s purpose for his life.

The first major practical shift in Joseph’s journey towards his life’s purpose is when he was sold into slavery by his brothers and his arrival in the house of Potiphar, his Egyptian master. After some time, we see another twist in the narrative arc; false accusation of rape and imprisonment. His rise into leadership and interpretation of dreams for Pharaoh’s two servants; a baker and a wine taster, did not seem to make any difference.

It was not until his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream and emergence as Prime Minister, do we begin to see the arrival of a man into a place of power and authority. God had positioned him for the fulfillment of his life’s purpose; which materialized during the years of famine, when his brothers came to Egypt to buy grain.

In the process of self-disclosure to his brothers, Joseph’s summarized to his brothers why he was born (Genesis 45:4). Having found out who was standing before them, Joseph’s brothers were afraid. Seeing their obvious distress, he distilled his life purpose in these words, ‘It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.’ Joseph’s life purpose is the preservation.

After his father died, his brothers were again afraid. They wondered what Joseph would do with them. Again he reassured them, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done; the saving of many lives.’

Joseph understood his life’s purpose. He embraced it with all the pain that it entailed. He accomplished it because in period of severe famine God used him to save his father and his entire household; seventy two people in total. The nation of Israel came into being through him and his eleven brothers.

Emmanuel Mbakwe

Written by

Pastor, apostolic leader, business advisor, leadership coach, mentor and published author. Most importantly husband and father.

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