I started yesterday writing about how my golf game has improved. I’ve made progress by means of:

• Purpose
• Practice
• Perseverance
• Performance

Today, let’s talk about purpose.

No one ever got better at anything accidentally. The first step in growth is the decision to pursue growth intentionally. I use “purpose” for alliteration!

Daniel purposed in this heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s food… (Daniel 1.8, NKJV)

After the purpose, Daniel had to figure out how to make that happen, described in the rest of chapter 1, but purpose came first.

I purposed to improve my golf game, and I followed through on that purpose by getting some lessons, investing in some new equipment (just shoes and two new clubs!), and committing to practice (more on that tomorrow).

Do you want to grow as a disciple? We’ve said that Bible knowledge in and of itself is not sufficient, but it’s certainly a start. If you don’t feel competent to hear from God through the scriptures, what are you doing to become competent? How about scripture memory? If you’ve never tried it or want to get back to it, the first step is the decision.

Prayer? A mission-focus? We can grow in any or all of these areas by first deciding to.

Whether or not my golf game improves is trivial. But the act of pursuing it has been very instructive. And it began with purpose.

Now Solomon purposed to build a temple for the name of the LORD, and a royal palace for himself. (2 Chronicles 2.1, ESV)

May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose. (Psalm 20.4, NKJV)