I love this quote from Andy Stanley, and I believe it came from his book Visioneering. It is so true, and I see it all the time. People who generally live in the camp of life happening to them. Or others who take control and live a life with purpose and intentionality. Both of these have variations and intensity levels, but I believe generally, you can find that people live in either one of these camps. 

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9, drove this point home for us. You see, Paul understood that ending up somewhere on purpose required self-discipline, focus, and vision. 

To start with, Paul knew his calling and vision for his life. His mission was crystal clear, and he was all in. It begins with a vision, our direction, our calling, and purpose. What is yours? Have you defined it, identified it? 

“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” - ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:19-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul lays out to the Corinthians some really practical advice and thinking. Thinking we need to take to the bank and apply in our own lives day in and day out. Look at verse 23, “I do all this for the sake of the gospel...” Paul connected the Corinthians back to the vision, and the why behind his what. Everything about Paul's life was preaching and spreading the Gospel. He was all in, focused, and aligned everything in this direction. #1, Paul knew his vision and calling.

As we read the text above, look at the purpose, and intentionality that Paul brought into his life. “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some...” Think about this for a moment, because we might miss some key learnings in these few words. Do you think this was easy? Think about those groups of people that drive you crazy, and you avoid. Paul entered into their lives, and became one of them, living like them, engaging with them, doing life with them. This is purpose and intentionality at all costs! Paul knows his vision and calling, and he aligns his actions and living accordingly. #2, Paul’s actions and decisions aligned with his vision. 

Simon Sinek, in his classic book, Start with Why drives home the same principals that Paul was preaching about 2000 years earlier. Our Why needs to come before our What. Both are critically important, but the order matters. 

And finally, what stood out to me today was grit and self-discipline. Often vision and purpose aren’t enough. That may sound extreme, but follow me with this. Live is tough, and often things do not go like we think or how we have planned. What do we do then? We need to grind it out, push through and have the self-discipline to keep pressing on. 

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I will not be disqualified for the prize.” - ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:24-27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Athletes don’t quick or stop training when the pain comes. To win requires all-in commitment and grit, especially when the training is hard. Paul said, don’t run aimlessly; don’t shadow box or jack around. Make your body, your mind, all of yourself a slave to the vision. #3, Paul had grit and self-discipline in all areas of his life. 

So, where does this leave you? Do you need God to bring a revelation for your life’s vision and calling? Maybe you need God’s help with your daily actions and decision to align with that vision. Or, is it the grit and self-discipline you lack? Whatever it is, let’s together go before God and seek his mercy and grace and choose today to end up somewhere on purpose.