Dear Friend,

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WashingtonIrving, born in 1783, the first American to make a full time living as a writer, said:

“Great minds have purposes, others have wishes.”

To which I would add, “great minds have great purposes.”

I love the story of Nehemiah whose purpose was to rebuild the walls of the city ofJerusalem.

“Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:12*

Nehemiah had a great purpose. He made plans to accomplish that purpose.

A purpose without a plan is only a wish.

“Then I [Nehemiah] said to them, ‘You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall ofJerusalem that we may no longer be a reproach.’" Nehemiah 2:17

 Nehemiah accomplished his purpose by working with others.

  A purpose without a team is only a wish.

Nehemiah was not a man of wishes. Like him, you, also, may be a person of purpose.

My own life purpose is captured in Galatians 4:19, “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you.”

What is yours?

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With joy -- E.Stanley Ott

© Copyright2019 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the ESV

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1. Do you have a life-purpose - something that shapes all you do? If so, what is it.

2. If thinking in terms of a total life-purpose seems too much to consider at the moment, name any purpose in your life. It may involves others. it may involve tasks. It may be something you can fulfill in a day, a month or a lifetime.

3. Read Nehemiah 1-2. How did he learn of his purpose? What did he do?

4. What plans to fulfill your purpose do you have? A purpose without a plan is only a wish. And who will you involve with you? A purpose without a team is also only a wish.

5. Ask your Lord to clarify your purpose, plans and the people with you - that you may become a person of clear purpose with the people and the plans to make it so.

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