Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” After years of teaching spiritual leadership to college young men, I have found one of the greatest struggles for them is to find their calling and purpose in life. Some of them change majors multiple times and even graduate unsure of what they want to do in life. Unfortunately, I have seen this same lack of purpose and calling in the lives of mature men. I have observed one common trait in most of these men. It is that they were not raised in a home where their father was a strong spiritual leader at home or work and never set an example of purpose and direction in life.

In our verse this week, Paul clearly stated that his ambition was to uncompromisingly follow God’s will for his life. A Christian man must embrace the mandate that his purpose in life is to live a life of purpose whatever career path is taken. He must find his call in life and pursue it with a purpose to honor and glorify God. This is an example of Christian leadership which will directly impact his life, his family and his work. God gifts a man and gives him a passion for what He calls him to do. This does not mean that he will stay in the same job or career for his working lifetime. Most men change jobs or career paths at least six times in their lifetime. However, the calling and purpose should move them to lead their lives and family for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. A man should be able to say what Jesus prayed to His Father at the end of His earthly life in John 17:4,

 “I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.”

The word “work” here means that every area of our lives should have the same purpose and calling to honor and serve our Savior. We will never find our purpose in life until we find God’s purpose in our life.