The Power of Gratitude & Purpose
Why Gratitude & Purpose Go Hand In Hand
The one thing I’ve shared time and time again is that purpose and vision provide clarity and direction. When we live with purpose, we act with intentionality, knowing our existence has meaning and that our unique design, passions, experiences, and calling all come together in ways that impact others. Purpose isn’t only about what we do but how we exist, how we influence, and how we live in alignment with our God-given design. A powerful way to begin understanding our purpose is by asking ourselves, “How is someone’s life improved by my existence?” or “How do I envision making a meaningful impact on their life?”
Yet, when we consider the question of purpose, it’s easy to get sidetracked by life’s demands and dreams—endlessly striving or measuring up to the achievements and trajectories of others. Purpose and mission feel so central to who we are that we might naturally assume they’ll appear as grand, unmistakable moments of calling. But if we limit purpose to something extraordinary or rare, we miss all the ways it shows up daily in the seemingly small and ordinary things.
This is where gratitude plays such a crucial role. Gratitude helps us become present to the blessings, challenges, and growth that exist right here, right now. When we practice gratitude, we’re no longer simply waiting for purpose to arrive someday; we’re acknowledging that purpose and mission often come alive in the small, consistent choices, the seemingly unremarkable days, and the mundane moments that shape our lives and deepen our impact. Gratitude shifts our gaze from what we lack or have yet to accomplish to what we have in our hands now.
As we give thanks for the seemingly small things—an encouraging conversation, contributing to a meaningful project, or simply the opportunity to show up for someone else—our purpose becomes something woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. In these moments, gratitude reveals purpose as more than just a destination or achievement. Instead, purpose becomes an unfolding journey that we nurture daily through mindful appreciation and a sense of mission.
This isn’t to say that living with purpose and mission is always easy. There will be seasons when life feels heavy, and our sense of mission might even feel distant. But here’s the beautiful part: practicing gratitude, even in difficult seasons, can reignite our sense of purpose. As we remember God’s provision, His small, daily graces, and the impact we’re already having, we’re reminded that our mission is far more than a single achievement or destination. It’s a calling to live in alignment with the Great Commission, reflecting His light wherever we are.
So, let’s continue to get after grateful, not just as a habit but as a lifestyle, making purpose and mission more tangible with each passing day. Living gratefully shifts our view of purpose from a future goal to a present reality, one we nurture each day by focusing on what God has placed in front of us. When we cultivate a grateful heart, our purpose and mission become more than what we accomplish; they become the essence of how we exist and connect, leaving a legacy of love, kindness, and impact along the way.
Living gratefully shifts our view of purpose from a future goal to a present reality, one we nurture each day by focusing on what God has placed in front of us.
In order to cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude, you must make it a practice. Join us for the Get After Grateful Challenge. Every day, in the month of November, I will be sharing mini devotions/ reflections along with action steps in our community chat to encourage you to cultivate gratitude, joy, and contentment in your everyday. The challenge is open to both free and paid subscribers, but you must have the Substack app or create an account to participate. Click on the chat below to join us for today’s discussion.
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I know for me it is easy to look at all that is going wrong instead of being grateful for what is going right. I can get side tracked by distractions when it comes to gratitude. I look forward to this month to focus more on being grateful.