Why Walking in Purpose Feels Like a Hike (Guest Post):

By: Joy Osahon (Author, Empowerment Speaker, Faith Blogger)

Walking in your purpose is an exciting journey that positions you in spaces and grants you the opportunities that you probably would not have imagined. It is a refreshing journey that can produce invaluable fruits in your life but oftentimes the journey itself can feel more like a hike. Typically, when you go on a hike, you are excited and pumped up at the beginning but that changes once you find yourself tripping over the rocks, losing your balance, here and there, and your body becoming overly tired after putting in several miles. Similar to an actual hike, walking in your purpose can feel the same way. It does feel the same way and what many people do not discuss is that similar feelings experienced are not always a sign for you to throw in the towel. In reality, the reason why walking in your purpose can often feel like a hike is because it is meant to produce the following 3 things:

Character / Resiliency/Greater Impact
Walking in purpose feels like a hike. It is not meant to destroy you but to build you up despite how cliché’ that may sound. Character building is essential when it comes to your purpose. So, when your character is filled with arrogance, pride, and hate, your purpose will not
operate to its fullest potential. It is important to add that character building is not always caused by doing something wrong. God may need you to become wiser in certain areas and sometimes the best way for that to happen is to put you under pressure. No matter how tough things may be or feel, God’s promise found in Jeremiah 29:11 is a strong reminder of that:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm
you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

All of which is meant to build up your resiliency. Hence why walking in your purpose is not for the faint of heart. Becoming resilient is not an easy process and it can be very painful and draining. Thankfully, it is not an experience that lasts forever. In the end, you can become wiser, stronger, and more faithful with what God has called you to do; if you choose to stay the course. Even though hiking in your purpose can be difficult, there is still hope that can be found once you tap into God for the power and strength that you need to keep going. 2 Corinthians 12:9 is a great reminder of what it means to be weak in God’s eyes:

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me”. (NIV)

Not only is the “hike” in your purpose shaping your character and making you more resilient; it is positioning you to be of a greater impact to many. I have a personal philosophy that I came up with and live by and that is, “Everything you are going through is someone’s ‘How-To’ Book”. The only way to be a person’s “How-To” book is to get from point A to point Z or in other words, overcoming something. If walking in your purpose was just a smooth or problem-free walk, your journey will not benefit anyone else other than yourself.

Since purpose is not about you and more about how someone can positively benefit from your gift(s), it is essential that you understand that the hardships you have faced or currently are facing are not in vain. It is really in the hiking of your purpose that invaluable lessons are learned, books are being birthed, webinars are created, businesses are being launched, passions are being ignited, ideas are being curated, and individuals are genuinely being served and appropriately loved in a healthy manner. As you can see, having knowledge of your purpose and just casually walking in it is not enough. It is really in the “hiking” experience that a wiser, more knowledgeable, resilient, and influential you is being created. So, embrace the hike.

This Is Not Your “Typical Finding Your Purpose” Book mission is to challenge and shift the conversation and perspective around purpose and the reality of it. So, if you are ready to view purpose from a lense that will transform you into the person that God has called you to be, then take a plunge into this book. Book can be purchased on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jIJ8fa