Ecclesiastes 12: 1- 14
Memory Verses: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”. Romans 8:28
Ikigai is a Japanese concept, which means a reason for being. That is having a direction or purpose in life. A purpose which provides you with a sense of fulfillment towards which you may take actions that gives you satisfaction and a sense of meaning.
Ikigai is similar to the French term “raison d’etre”. Which is knowing what your values and goals are, those things motivates, which give you a sense of living and gingers you to always want to be on the go and become an inspiration to others.
Ikigai concept also works wonderfully from a Christian perspective. It could be that you feel like you’re not living the true calling that God has placed on your life and therefore you need to find a reason to achieve or attain it.
When we truly understand who we are, with our different gifts, talents, personal skills and who we could become then we get closer to our reason for being. If what you love intersects with your strengths, then you have found your passion, which is your ikigai. As Christians, we all share the same higher calling. That’s to know, grow and serve the Lord through preaching and expanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. When we are able to attain to these, then we have truly found the highest calling we could ever live for.
In Jeremiah 29:11, we are told of the desire of God for our lives; a desire to give us our ikigai – “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” This according to Romans 8:28, is the end at which “…. all things work together for good, to them that love God and are called according to His purpose
So what is your ikigai? What are your passions with which you are able to serve God and man, thus fulfilling the great commission? This is the Great Commission; “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”. When, through your gifts, talents, personal skills and endowment you are able to fulfil the Great Commission, then you have found your reason for being alive. You will always be on the go for Christ, inspiring and motivating others for the Kingdom of God.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace, now and forevermore. Amen.
Prayer: Lord God, I ask you let me find my ikigai, the purpose for my being alive at this time in the history of mankind and let me go out all the way for you so that I will be able to live the kind of life you have called me into, in Jesus mighty name.
©Bola Olowe, Grace Leadership Foundation. Tuesday 1, June 2021.
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. – When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him .You shall be delivered and saved from every evil this month in Jesus mighty name.