The Road to Purpose: The Twists & Turns of God's Positioning System (GPS)

By Ana I. Berdecia, M.Ed. and Certified Coach

You might have an inkling (a tugging) that you are designed to do something extraordinary for the world. This feeling keeps returning to your mind and heart countless times until you figure it out and chart a course to your purpose residency. The Road to Purpose: The Twists and Turns of God's Positioning System (GPS) lays out a framework for you to know your God-given calling and how to own the mysteries of your passion, potential, and purpose to position yourselves for impact in the world. Coach Ana I. Berdecia provides an inspiring road map that allows you to pause, think, plan, and take action to align your heart's desires through a series of self-guided exercises and stories that will challeng you to ascertain your true purpose and how to hold a steady course to fulfill it. God wastes nothing in your past and present to set you up for a glorious future. God chases you intentionally for your purpose. Passion chases you. Potential holds the treasures that need to be developed within you to sustain your journey. Purpose has checkpoints along the way that absolutely confirm to you your true calling. Each chapter of this book holds a key to take you one step closer to your purpose residency. Get your key ring ready to possess what God has placed inside you and the future He desires you to take as your very own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798885402385

Book preview

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In this book, Coach Ana deals with the trifecta of a person’s destiny. By destiny, I mean journey. She craftily lays out a masterful blueprint to discover new pathways to purpose. This is not just another book on the topic of purpose." This is a book that challenges you to unlock the hidden treasures so that not only you can prosper in life, but others may enjoy it as well. Through illustrations, catch phrases, and analogies, Coach Ana brings one through the process of introspection that changes your whole perspective in life. If you feel your life is but a bunch of cold dry firewood or even if you feel that your life is just in embers, this book will help fan the flame, which will ignite your passion, discover your potential, and catapult you into your purpose. I highly recommend and endorse this book, whether you are at the beginning stages of discovering purpose or have been walking in your purpose for some time. There is something for everyone to glean from. Great job.

—Rev. Barry Vazquez, MDiv, DD, and Founder and Senior Pastor of Living by Grace Fellowship, Trenton, New Jersey

"In so many ways, this book articulates the biography of Joshua, the son of Nun. First, he submitted his life to God and to the mentorship of Moses and discovered his passion, potential, and purpose. Then during continued submission of his life to God, he was able, despite life’s obstacles, to use his ordained abilities and talents to achieve incredible results that, to this day, glorify God. In this book, Sister Ana simplifies the journey by providing a step-by-step process. To benefit the most from this book, the reader must first submit his/her life to the Lord. Sister Ana was able to write this book only because she first submitted and continues to submit her life to the Lord. I will personally purchase this book and recommended to my counseling colleagues and clients.

—C. Emmanuel Ahia, PhD, JD, LPC, Director Calvary Counseling Center, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania

"One of the frustrations of life is when you have given your time, energy, and resources to something that never materializes. In retrospect, you realize what you did was not for the right reason. You missed the mark. Sadly, some spend a lifetime trying to find their purpose for being. Whether it is in ministry, career choice, relationships, or whatever they thought was supposed to be. The Road to Purpose is a practical book to help the reader find and sharpen their skills to better understand who they are and what is possible when this process is surrendered to God. As an educator and ministry leader, Ana Berdecia is well qualified to share her words and experiences in helping people find what their talents and abilities are and to assist in developing them for the kingdom of God."

—David E. Farina, Associate Pastor, Calvary Full Gospel Church Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania

"It is with great pleasure that I endorse this dynamic message and book. In the book The Road to Purpose, you will find a framework to confirm what God has already placed inside you. He has created provision for you to unlock the mysteries found in your passion, potential, and purpose. Sometimes people struggle with how to align their life with their purpose. This book will help you do just that. Well done, Ana Berdecia, for writing this valuable and inspiring roadmap for a new generation of sons and daughters that are transitioning into their destiny, are determined to see change come, and want Jesus’s name lifted higher in their lifetime.

—Prophetess Elaine J. Salit, Living Water International Prayer Ministries

In recent decades there has been a dramatic rediscovery of a striking fact, that all the persons have a brilliant future if they follow the trilogy that the author presents in her book. They are passion, potential, and purpose. The potentialities of this development are almost unlimited. It is like a fresh wind blowing across our society, awakening a growing group of men, women, and youth to the exciting idea of having a purpose in their lives. This book rests heavily in the already mentioned trilogy. This will allow us to conquer in life with an affirmative positive thinking and resting in the power of the love of God.

—Reverend Julio Gomez, ThM. United Methodist Church

Rarely do I come across a person who is the real deal—a person who truly wants you to grow and reach your fullest potential and a person who wants you to shine and won’t take credit for pushing you to achieve your dream. Ana Berdecia is that type of person. She embodies the 3Ps that are outlined in this book. To call what she has created a blueprint for personal, professional, and spiritual success is an understatement. It is clear, concise, and easy to follow. If you are ready to reach your potential and are passionate about paying the price for success—this book is for you! Let this book guide you into fulfilling your God-given purpose on this earth.

—Jonathan M. Leath, CEO, Leath & Associates; Co-Pastor of Converge Church; and author of YOLO: You Only Lead One: Eight Principles for Leading Yourself Before You Lead Others.

"If you truly want to achieve your God-given potential, you need to follow a proven process. Find your personal path by following your unique GPS (God’s Positioning System). In The Road to Purpose, Ana provides a clear step-by-step plan to help you do just that. She lays out a path that is clear and easy to follow, while relating it to real-world examples. This is not merely an informational book but provides clear application principles as well. Follow the journey to discover your own passion, potential, and purpose. Then watch them align to help lead you to God’s clear plan for your life."

—Chris Rollins, President, Rollins Performance Group, Inc.

Coach Ana has perfectly encapsulated her 3Ps—passion, purpose, and potential—to create this roadmap. The book is a practical guide that will show you God’s purpose through every twist and turn of your life. Nothing is wasted when it comes to God and your purpose. This book has ignited me to evaluate and design my blueprint. I have a greater sense of where I am going through using the techniques and exercises in this book. All that is needed is for you to do the work.

—Hollie Whaley, MBA, Certified Life/Business Coach, and Pastor, CityReach Burlington, New Jersey

"If anyone wants to be truly successful, there are two questions that they need to answer: ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Why am I here?’ The Road to Purpose is a powerful, practical, and purposeful guide to answering these questions and unlocking their true potential. I highly recommend this book to those who are serious about discovering who they are and how they can change the world."

—Maurice Lassiter, Senior Pastor of His Glory Ministries International

"Coach Ana takes her readers step-by-step on a journey of self-discovery. In one of the most comprehensive Christian leadership books I have ever read, Ana Berdecia strategically weaves stories, exercises, and solid strategies on a foundation of biblical principles that equip the reader for success! If you are struggling to find the calling that God has on your life, I highly recommend The Road to Purpose. It will become one of the books in your library that you read and refer to again and again!"

—Angela Durant, Founder of the Be Brilliant Movement

The Twists and Turns of God’s Positioning System (GPS)

The Road to Purpose

Ana I. Berdecia, M.Ed. & Certified Coach

ISBN 979-8-88540-237-8 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88540-238-5 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Ana I. Berdecia, M.Ed. & Certified Coach

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

To the following people who have influenced my life immensely, personally, and professionally throughout the years:

My God and my Lord Jesus Christ

My God who is the Author and Giver of my creativity. Jesus who truths have modeled me into a teacher, encourager, supporter, and servant to others.

My family

Sebastian and Gloria Ortiz, my loving parents, who instilled in me a love for learning and a strong work ethic. (I miss them every day.) My siblings: Sebastian Ortiz Jr., Alicia Hilferty, and Gladys Ortiz. Enrique Berdecia Jr. (husband), Adán Berdecia and Gabriel Berdecia (sons), Kathryn and Staicy Berdecia (daughters-in-love), and Daniel Luis, Jericho Sebastian, and Hope Grace Berdecia (grandchildren). Thank you for your unconditional love, giggles, support, and precious moments.

Early mentors

Brother Francis, Sister John, Joyce Collazo, Aida Pacheco, and

Maria Velez Rodriguez who never allowed me to give up on my dreams and purpose.

Spiritual mentors

My Pastor David Farina, Pastor David E. Farina, Elaine Salit (spiritual mom), Pastor Maurice Lassiter, Pastor Barry Vazquez, and Pastor Julio Gomez who gave me models for good faith living.

Professional mentors

Regina Podhorin, Fred Vereen Jr., Dr. Gloria Bonilla, Dr. Blythe Hinitz, Dr. Joseph Youngblood III, Barbara George Johnson, Dr. John C. Maxwell, Paul Martinelli, Scott Fay, Roddy Galbraith, Christian Simpson, Chris Robinson, Mark Cole, Chris and Melissa Rollins who provided me with models for adding value to others.

Special thanks

To my husband, Enrique, for creating the images/photos in this book and my beta group Ana and Carlos Melendez, Debby Rittler Gibilisco, Elaine Salit, and Kimberly Daniel White for their feedback on the original manuscript.

Introduction

Maybe I am dating myself, but do you remember in middle school and in high school having a combination lock on your locker to protect your belongings? Do you recall how you had to turn to the right three times clockwise then stop at your first number? Then you had to turn to the left counterclockwise to arrive to the second number. Finally, you had to turn to the right again to arrive to the third number. Those three numbers in sequence opened the combination lock and allowed you to access what was already in your locker. There is something even more valuable inside of you that is worth protecting and it can be accessed with the combination of three keys. These three keys unlock what is already within you—your passion, potential, and purpose (3Ps). These three powerful ingredients come in seed form and must be identified, cultivated, and fueled. These three ingredients amplify your talents, abilities, and capabilities. These 3Ps open the door to what you possess that you may not be utilizing fully.

When I was a little girl, I was intrigued by the glass doorknobs that were on the doors of my childhood home. I thought the glass doorknobs were diamonds and I often took them off the door to play with them. If a doorknob or key was missing, my parents always knew where to look and who had them. It’s funny how these small objects of keys and doorknobs still speak to me today about possessing what is already inside each of us that needs to be opened and released to change the world. Helping other people define their passion, potential, and purpose (3Ps) has been my greatest work yet. It is what I am called to do and made to do. I cannot imagine a day without encouraging and building people up to see themselves as God sees them. I did not always know this was my calling, but the twists and turns of life amplified it until I realized it and called it by its name: purpose.

God wastes nothing. Sometimes the twists and turns of life might feel like a demotion, but in reality, it is a promotion. These twists and turns are used for isolation, preparation, elevation. Each of these stages brings us to our purpose zone as we listen to and seek God in a way we have not done so before. He uses every struggle and triumph to elevate us into our purpose. God has a plan and a specific purpose for our lives. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV). To know God is to have access to daily conversations with Him about who you are and what you were designed to become.

In this book, I will share with you some vivid memories of my childhood, youth, career trajectory, and how God’s grace positioned me to walk in my true purpose. I will use personal stories to inspire and solidify the how to that can define and design your true purpose. God’s positioning system is always at work, helping us navigate life so we become stronger to take the next step in the journey.

Your brilliance may be unexplored, untapped, and/or underused. If you do not think about what you possess, plan on how to use it, and take action that will allow you to live a life of purpose, you may forfeit what God has called you to do. To unlock your brilliance intentional thinking and planning with deliberate action—doing is required. These three components of thinking, planning, and doing form the framework for the purpose paradigm that I developed to help you experience a journey toward your road to purpose where you will take possession of all that God has made and designed for you to be.

As I am writing this book, I feel I have come full circle with the realization that I am a possibility finder, an encourager, an agent of hope, and maximizer of opportunities. I was not always like that. In fact, as an adolescent, I suffered from depression and did not like myself very much. When I looked in the mirror, I felt ugly on the inside as well as on the outside. This negativity dominated by life and followed me around like a dark cloud. To give you an idea of how I hated the pure image of myself, you can ask my sister Gladys who witnessed the number of mirrors I broke so I could avoid seeing myself. I even had suicidal thoughts that the world would be better off without me. I do not know what you see in your mirror, but I do know by faith God has a plan for you and He can change your life with every twist and turn like He has changed my life.

At the age of seventeen, while attending a Charisma Catholic Church, I gave my life to Jesus at a youth retreat. The first thing I noticed as I returned to my dorm room after service was the person in the mirror had changed. In the hallway near my dorm room, there were two mirrors that immediately changed what I saw in my reflection. Now it reflected back to me who I was to God and in Christ. My negativity and depression were instantly lifted and I was filled with positivity and possibilities. I could not believe what I was seeing. It was like a dream. The scales over my eyes had