I'm testing each aspect of this sample purpose statement to see if it holds together: Our purpose is to know Jesus Christ, see ourselves as He sees us, live as He intended, and effectively share the same with others.

When we say, it is our purpose to see ourselves as He sees us, we are expressing determination to step outside of our biased opinion of ourselves, based upon whatever earthly sources have given us noteworthy feedback, and see ourselves from Christ’s perspective. Ultimately, a life lived with distinction must have clarity regarding individual meaning.

What does it mean to be me? Who am I? Why do I matter, and why am I valuable?

There are any number of opinions about how to answer these questions, and all of us have listened to hosts of advisors expound their ideas concerning us. Yet this renders anything but clarity.

Most of us invest inordinate effort trying to please others, being people we are not, and grasping at illusive solutions to meaning while in pursuit of dreams not our own. The world, and all it offers, simply does not possess the capacity to define personal meaning in adequate fashion to satisfy the longing in our souls.

This being the case, it is our purpose to discover what God thinks of us and vow to see ourselves as He sees us. Anything short of this ideal falls short of grace.

Purpose is not only granted to us by God, but it belongs to us as His children and colleagues. To whom much is given, much is required, so the Good Book expounds. And just what is required of us endowed with divine purpose? That's next.