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| Pastor J. O. Oluwasanmi |
By Boluwatife Oparinde
The Coordinator, Christ Apostolic Church Youth Fellowship (CACYOF), Ibadan Land, and Minister-in-charge, CAC Adamasigba DCC English Assembly, Pastor J. O. Oluwasanmi has shared insights on discovering God's purpose, relating that "God wants us to be purpose-driven people, driven by His purpose and through His plans for our lives."
Pastor Oluwasanmi, who is also the Chairman, National Media Committee for Christ Apostolic Church Youth Fellowship (CACYOF), Nigeria and Overseas, shared these insights on Thursday, 4th July, 2022, while speaking on the topic, "Apostolic Youths: Purpose Driven Youths" at the ongoing CACYOF 2022 International Youth Conference of Babajide Region (comprising of Kwara and Kogi States) at Odo-Owa, Kwara State.
The CACYOF Ibadanland Coordinator, harped that, "Nothing matters more than knowing God's purposes for your life, and nothing can compensate for not knowing them not success, wealth, fame, or pleasure. Without a purpose, life is a motion without meaning. activity without direction, and events without reason. Without a purpose, life is trivial, petty. and pointless. Rick Warren says that, the greatest tragedy is not death. but life without purpose."
According to him, "It is in the discovery of this divine purpose that your life pleases and glorifies God and that makes you useful to God and humanity. which will, in turn, bring meaning, significance and satisfaction to you."
The clergyman who cited scriptures to prove that Jesus Christ was a purpose-driven person, challenged the youths that, as Apostolic youths, we must be purpose driven like Jesus.
He further described Apostolic youths as ones who "are recreated in Christ Jesus to discover and do the pre-determined work (Ephesians 2:10-12). The consciousness of the purpose of God restrains them from sin and drives them into deep fellowship with God in prayers and His word. They are passionate ambassadors of Christ to influence wherever they are as salt and light in order to bring glory to God and establish His kingdom in the hearts of people and on the earth (Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 6:10)."
"Now that you are young is the best time to discover the purpose of God for you and become a purpose-driven Apostolic Youth," he added.
Pastor Oluwasanmi who addressed that another way to look at something is to look at what that thing is not, told the youths to avoid the following as purpose in themselves alone, "The Future - purpose is not something that you can go and get in the future. Purpose is in you. It exists before you and will be after you. Passion - your passion is not the purpose of God for you. Your godly passion could be the indicator of the purpose of God. Success - it is possible to be successful and not purposeful. Myles Munroe said, The greatest tragedy is to be successful in a wrong assignment. Popularity: Being known for something is not necessarily purpose. Someone may be popular and be against God. Saul of Tarsus was an example."
"Prosperity - while genuinely fulfilling purpose can bring financial or material blessings, it should not be seen as a way of economic survival, but rather as a means to an end. Profession: Your profession is a means to fulfil your purpose, not your purpose in itself. Purpose is not what you do easily. At most what you do easily could be a pointer to divine purpose. Purpose statement - an intelligently crafted personal desire, agenda or ambition. For such to be a driving force, it must be discovered by revelation from God and not merely decided by self," he continued.
In defining purpose, the National Media coordinator for CACYOF said, "The reason for which something is done or created; the reason for its existence. The pre-determined will, intention, assignment or call of God upon a person's life. Your portion in the redemptive and global plan of God in your generation. Purpose is the solution from God to human problems coded in an individual. The Purpose of God for you must be discovered, developed and deployed, otherwise your significance and usefulness to God and humanity will be limited."
"The Purpose of God for a child of God is broadly revealed in two categories; General and Specific purposes. The general purpose is largely revealed in the Scriptures, while the specific purpose can be revealed by searching the scriptures, specific instructions, spiritual gifts, special abilities, personality types, experiences and ultimately by the Holy Spirit. This specific purpose of God makes an individual unique," he explained.
Expositing how purpose is discovered, the cleric harped that there is no almighty formula to discovering purpose anywhere, adding that, you only need to do the following things consistently and religiously, some of which are, obeying God's instruction; being God-centered; having a God-driven passion; selfless Service; and prophecy upon your life.
He urged the youths to "serve where you are now. Everybody who was given a divine purpose were on service. The Bible says whatever your hands finds to do, you must doi it consistently. It is there you discover your purpose."
He also counselled that, "after this conference, go to your parents. Let them tell you something about you - prophecies about your life. That will give you direction."
The clergyman who categorically stated that, the God you don't know cannot show you His will, plan and purpose for you, described the various lifestyles that characterizes a purpose driven lifestyle, to include, God-conscious lifestyle, God's will conscious lifestyle, timeliness lifestyle, kingdom lifestyle, I can do more mindset, Holy Spirit guided lifestyle, and finishing strong mindset.
In his conclusion, Pastor Oluwasanmi expressed that, "God has a plan and purpose for every man (Jeremiah 1:5; 29:11). No child is an accident, even those born out of wedlock. To discover the purpose of God for your life, re-creation in Christ, and taking responsibility to have a conscious, committed and consistent relationship with God through the Holy Spirit is not negotiable. His plans are pathways to fulfilling His purpose; you need to be sensitive enough to align yourself with Him. You cannot walk with God and go wrong in life. God has a permanent purpose, not a permanent person, therefore, be purpose-driven, as a steward who must give account."