Walking Purposefully in a Distracted World

Ian Miller | 02/28/2025

We live in a more distracted world than ever before. Perhaps the greatest problem is that there are so many good things that we could do that we don’t know which ones to prioritize. Multiply this times 10 if you find yourself in leadership. Perhaps this is one of the reasons more leaders than ever find themselves on the brink of burnout. 

Because we aren’t able to discern between what to say “yes” to and what to say “no” to. And then we find ourselves spread so thin that our impact is greatly reduced. 

And the scariest thing of all is that we find ourselves disconnected from The One we are supposedly doing it for. 

So how do discern where to invest? How do we know what God is calling us to right now?

I think it all comes down to seeing your life as a story. A story that is part of The Big Story. 

First, let’s start with your story.

Everything in your past is part of a narrative that is being written. Seeming coincidences become meaningful when seeing it in the greater storyline. Even the greatest pain and loss has meaning. Your part is not to write the story but to discover what God is doing in your story. 

What you can do: 

• Take time to reflect on your story 

• Reflect on significant relationships 

• Reflect on the life-changing milestones 

• Ideally, write it out and as you write pay attention to the themes and threads woven through throughout

Your life story is the canvas on which to start defining your life purpose. 

Your life story provides the context for asking God, "Why am I here?" "What is the impact you want to make on the world around me through my story here on earth?" Where we get this wrong is when the story is me-centered. Finding my life purpose can quickly become about my visions and dreams. It can become about crafting a platform on which to promote the great self. 

That is what happens when we see our story through too small a lens. When we recognize that our story is simply a blip on the timeline of eternity, merely a thread in the greater story that God is weaving, it sets us free from the pressure to change the world. It releases us into a life-giving relationship with Him and with other people. It alleviates the burden to somehow leave a legacy. Because life is about His purpose for my life, not my own. 

What you can do:

• Take time to ask yourself the following questions. Bring them before the Lord and prayer. Involve those who know you well in answering these questions.

• Why am I here? Vision

• What am I to do? Mission

• How then should I live? Values

• What are my filters for decision-making? Strategic anchors

As you ask yourselves these key questions and take them to the Lord in prayer, start writing down what you're sensing and hearing. Call it what you will. I call it a strategic plan. A plan that you hold with open hands before the Lord. A set of activities and commitments that will move you forward towards the purpose that you sense God is calling you to be a part of. It is the day to day steps that connect the dots of your life story.  

Don't do it alone. Get a mentor or coach to help you develop this. Establish regular rhythms to review, update and evaluate how you are doing. 

What you can do:

• Do a SWOT analysis to evaluate where you’re at

• Develop a strategic dashboard and review on a monthly basis with a mentor or coach

• Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What are the relationships that are most important to me? How can I ensure that I am prioritizing needs relationships? Most importantly, how can I stay connected to the vine in everything that I am doing? 

  • What are the practices or rhythms in life that I need to help me stay on track?

Maybe by now your eyes are glazing over. Perhaps the thought of going through this process makes you feel even more burned out than you already are. 

I want to extend a ray of hope to you. You don’t need to do this on your own. Take it to the Lord in prayer. And take the next step.