SECTION 3: Module 3: The Anchors of Purpose
The Nature of A Thing
Your nature and design is yet another piece of evidence for what you were designed to do. Your nature reveals to you your relevant capabilities. This means that you have characteristics and qualities which are predictors of your calling. Your instincts, characteristics and gifts all reveal your nature.
The Nature of a Thing:
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Is the particular combination of qualities belonging to a person, animal, thing, or class by birth, origin, or constitution
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[Are] the instincts or inherent tendencies that direct its conduct.
The Nature of Purpose:
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Purpose predicts the nature of something => nature is that which a product [person] inherently is
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From birth, each of us is endowed with unique qualities and characteristics, seemingly designed to fulfill a specific purpose. This unique value offering defines the scope of our potential contributions to the world.
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To remove your purpose would be to significantly change who you are, because your purpose both informs and reveals your nature and your responsibilities.
Right v Good
Purpose calls for doing what is right and purposeful for your life more than what is good. For example, it may be “good” to get a law degree but if that degree does not set you on the path to your purpose then it is not the “right” thing. This is a very common misconception. What you were born to do is more important than what you were trained to do!
Examples:
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Many people seek “good” jobs → to receive “good” pay
—instead of—-
The right work is what you were born to do which brings fulfillment
The Multiplicity of Purpose in People
While purpose is specific to a particular individual or product, that purpose may also be varied and numerous. Each of us is born with a purpose that is multifaceted. Our overarching purpose is composed of various smaller objectives or milestones, each with its own purpose contributing to the fulfillment of our greater life goals.
Natural Gifts & Skills of Moses:
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Israelite by birth, raised as an Egyptian
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Prince of Egypt with military & leadership training
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Shepherd of Sheep (In the land of Midian)
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Natural deliverance instinct
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The Purposes of Moses:
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Spokesman for God to the Pharaoh of Egypt
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Warrior of God (who by his uplifted hands brought victory over the Amalekites)
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Ambassador of God (who mediated between God and His people)
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Shepherd of People (who lead the Israelities out of Egypt)
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Lawgiver of God (who authored the first five books of the Bible)
Greater/ Overall Purpose of Moses: A Leader & Deliverer of God's people
Natural Gifts & Skills of Nelson Mandela:
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Orator
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Legal expertise and sharp intellect.
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Charismatic leadership and profound resilience.
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Deep commitment to justice and equality.
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Strategic political thinker and negotiator.
The Purposes of Nelson Mandela:
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Anti-apartheid revolutionary.
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President of South Africa, fostering national reconciliation.
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Global advocate for human rights.
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Symbol of peace and perseverance against oppression.
Greater/Overall Purpose of Nelson Mandela: A Leader and Liberator for equality and human dignity.
Understanding the Nature & Function of Principles
Everything in life was created for a purpose, with potential to operate by a principle.
Principles are the key to life and effective living. Remember everything in life was created for a purpose, with potential to operate by a principle. Therefore, learning how to operate a thing can help you better understand and discover that thing.
The Definition of Principle: An accepted or professed rule of action or conduct; a fundamental, primary, or general law or truth from which others are derived; or a fundamental doctrine.
The Seven Principles of Purpose
Principles in Practice
These key elements of principle are fundamental in your understanding of the nature and function of principles in practice. These inherent truths of principles are what set principles apart and make them an essential factor of purpose. Purpose legitimizes power, and power without principle is dangerous. Principles are fundamental truths with universal application.
Review Activity
