Purpose Driven People

Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson and Elon Musk are billionaire entrepreneurs who have entered the modern space race. But while Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson have set their sights on the tangible and immediate promises of the space tourism industry, Elon Musk is looking further ahead with his company SpaceX, setting his sights on the future of the human race -a goal reaching far beyond space tourism. In fact, all Musk's ventures seem to be aiming towards a common vision for the future, not least of which includes Tesla, the company that kick-started the modern electric car industry.

While working on Tesla's big breakthrough, Musk put in 120 hours a week and even slept on the factory floor on many occasions. In an interview about his work with Tesla, he said “If you have anyone who can do a better job, please let me know. They can have the job. Is there someone who can do the job better? They can have the reins right now.” It's evident in Musk's actions and words that Musk lives his life as if he was personally chosen for it (and few would argue that there is anyone better suited to what he does). In short, he is purpose-driven.

The Bible is full of purpose-driven examples, not least of which is Paul, whose life and ministry is detailed in the book of Acts. Paul was God's 'chosen instrument to minister to the gentiles', that is anybody who was not Jewish at a time when it was thought that only Jewish people could receive the holy spirit and become Christians. Paul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus was the first step in Paul living his life according to his purpose. Meeting with Jesus was enough to spur him to start preaching the gospel throughout Damascus and the surrounding areas and even go on to bring this message of hope and salvation to the edges of the known world. And eventually to us, many years later.

God couldn't have chosen a better instrument for this purpose, from his upbringing (Roman Citizen, well educated, a protégé of a prominent Jewish Rabbi) to his personality (extremely zealous for God, industrious with an entrepreneurial mindset), Paul was through and through the right man for the job and 100% up to the task.

Nate Kulasingham