After eight decades of watching how people live, I have noticed something steady and unmistakable. There is a quiet difference between a person who understands why they are here and a person who is simply trying to get through the day. You can see it in how they handle pressure. You can hear it in the way they talk about their future. You can feel it in how they carry themselves.

One lives with intention.
The other lives in survival mode, even if no one else can see it.

That idea came up again during my conversation with Justin on the Multiverse Technology podcast. We were not talking about theory. We were talking about everyday life. The kind of days when you wake up tired, move from one task to another, and feel like nothing is connecting. The seasons when you feel busy but not fulfilled. The moments when you quietly ask yourself if you are truly living or simply existing.

Purpose is not vague. It touches your habits, your decisions, your relationships, and the way you respond to difficult seasons. When a person understands why God placed them here, something inside them settles. The noise quiets down. A sense of direction replaces confusion. You begin to move through life instead of being pushed around by it.

In my talk with Justin, we explored how that shift takes place. What follows is my reflection on the themes we discussed and the story of how purpose became real in my own life.

A turn I did not expect

My story began in a small town in western Colorado after World War II. I loved theater, speech, and debate from an early age. I thought I would spend my life on a stage. For years I prepared to head toward New York or Hollywood. That was my plan.

Then something changed. I noticed my classmates in the theater department were acting all the time. The craft had become a mask. They could not turn it off, and I realized I was slowly moving in the same direction. That thought forced me to pause and ask myself who I was trying to be.

Around that time, I met a group of engineering students who had something very different. They were not performers. They were authentic. They had a joy and a personal faith that felt real. I found myself drawn to that. It opened my eyes to the idea that maybe the path I had chosen was not the one I was meant to follow.

Looking back, that was the beginning of my journey toward purpose. I did not see it clearly at the time, but God was guiding me away from performance and toward something far more meaningful.

Religion is not the same as relationship

I was raised in a religious home, but for years my faith was more routine than relationship. I knew the words. I knew the songs. I knew how to appear committed. Yet inside, something felt empty.

There is a difference between religion and a personal faith. Religion is man trying to reach God through performance. A real relationship is God reaching toward man and inviting him into something deeper. Once I saw that difference, everything changed.

There is a quote from Blaise Pascal that has always resonated with me. He said there is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every person. That vacuum can only be filled by Jesus Christ. When people try to fill it with achievement, success, pleasure, or addiction, the emptiness always returns. Only God fills it completely.

That realization was a turning point in my life and the foundation of everything I eventually taught.

The freedom to fail

Purpose does not mean life becomes easy. It does not mean all your decisions are perfect. One of the most important lessons I received early in my career was from a mentor who told me, “Larry, you have the freedom to fail.”

That sentence changed my life.

Most people are terrified of failure. They wait for perfect clarity, which never arrives. They hesitate, stall, or retreat. When you accept that you have the freedom to fail, you stop fearing the learning process. Every attempt becomes a step forward, even if it needs refining.

Failure is one of God’s greatest teachers. It reveals your strengths, your limits, and the adjustments you need to grow. The only real failure is refusing to move.

Why writing matters

Another principle that shaped me is simple. If something is not in writing, it does not exist. People tell themselves all kinds of things in their head, but thoughts drift. Writing brings clarity. It forces you to slow down, reflect, and take ownership.

I keep five daily commitments on my phone as a reminder. I make my bed every morning because it gives me one small accomplishment before I leave the room. These habits may seem simple, but they are anchors that help me live with intention.

A purposeful life is built on small, steady choices.

You are a steward, not an owner

A central theme in my book, Intentional Living and Giving, is stewardship. Many people think stewardship refers only to giving money, but it is much broader.

Scripture teaches that God owns everything. What we call “ours” is something He has placed in our care. We are responsible for how we use our time, our resources, our gifts, our influence, and the people He puts in our life.

A steward is someone who manages something that does not belong to them. When you see your life through that lens, your priorities shift. You begin to ask different questions. Who can I serve today. Who needs encouragement. What resources should I share. How can I help someone move forward.

I call this becoming an authorized wealth distributor. God provides. We distribute. It is simple, practical, and deeply fulfilling.

Hard seasons are not wasted

No one gets through life without hardship. I lost my spouse ten years ago. I have walked through seasons of uncertainty and pain. Yet I can see now that those experiences prepared me for the work I do today. Nothing is wasted when it is placed in God’s hands.

A young man I am mentoring recently went through eight weeks of closed doors and discouragement. He thought he was stuck. In reality, God was shaping him for something greater. Hard seasons can do that. They clarify. They strengthen. They reveal what truly matters.

Purpose is for every person

You are not an accident. You are not here to drift or survive. You were created with purpose, and God has placed people and opportunities in your path for a reason. When that truth becomes real, everything changes. Life gains meaning. Decisions gain weight. Ordinary days feel different.

If you are unsure where to begin, I created a simple tool called the Personal Stewardship Inventory. It can help you see where you are and what steps to take next.

Purpose is not complicated. It begins with small choices, honest reflection, and a willingness to let God guide your steps. Once you take that path, you move from existing to truly living.