DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE AND DESTINY

Be in Your Element! Discover Your Purpose and Destiny
by Oluwapelumi Adediran
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of
himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to
every man the measure of faith...Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given
to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us
use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who
gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."
Romans 12:3, 6-8
Element is used to describe the place where things we love to do and things we are good at come
together. Each one of us must find our element. Have you ever heard the saying, "He is in his
element"? It's that place where everything you do well and beautifully is enhanced and expressed
without hindrance because of the perfect environment you're in. Water is the element of fish for
instance.
You've also possibly heard the saying, "He's like a fish out of water." Well, that simply means you
are "out of your element." Many people suffer unnecessarily because they are forced to operate out
of their element, and when this happens there is a pressure on them to be something that they're
not.
This is one huge positive in terms of a prophetic gift. My belief is that a prophetic voice places a
person in their element by releasing a word to them, that, in turn, forces them to seek an
environment conducive or favorable for their gift. My goal and aspiration in life is to create
environments for all whom I am privileged to be in contact with—where each one of them is inspired
to grow creatively.
King David was in his element in the wild, on the hills and mountains with his harp in one hand and
his sling in the other. He was chosen as king, but the environment that was afforded him was not
favorable for his existence. Once he got into the polished, marble and gold palace, he felt like a fish
out of water. He ended up with another man's wife and killing his best friend.
Eventually, King David built a mountain, a rough mountain, and called it Zion. On that mountain he
placed a tent, and in the tent, the Ark of the Covenant. He called this place, "The City of David." He
created an environment where he was inspired and "at home." He was in his element. People need to
have the chance to do what they should be doing and to discover their element in their own way.
What is Your Purpose? What is Your Destiny?
The fact is that there is a difference between your purpose and your destiny. Your destiny is your
ultimate election. Your purpose is your present call. What did God choose you to do ultimately on
this earth? What is your ultimate election? What were you elected to do before you were born? That's
what your destiny is. What is your purpose? Your purpose is whatever you are called to do right now
at this very moment.
Again, let me mention King David. David was one of those guys that was in his element when he
was in the field, with his harp and with his slingshot, when he was killing bears and lions and singing
songs to God. One day the prophet Samuel came to him and said, "You are anointed to be the King
of Israel." And from that point onward, destiny was released in David. David already had an election
before he was born, but destiny was released. It was stagnant until the prophetic word came to
David.
The same applies to you—there is something inside of you that has not yet been unlocked. There is a
destiny inside of you that you don't even know about, that you were elected for long before you
were born, and suddenly, the Spirit breathes on you and immediately that destiny inside of you is
released, it's unlocked, and you suddenly become more aware of it.
Once Samuel had prophesied and laid his hands upon David and said, "You are the King of Isr
did David become the king immediately?