Small beginnings. Detours along the way. Questions about how and when God is going to fulfill his purposes. We know the end of David’s story in the Bible, but David only knew it step by step. Like us, he had to follow God’s path even when it seemed too slow. He had to believe that realizing our life’s purpose is only the beginning of our calling, not the culmination of it. He had to trust that God sometimes allows years to go by between an anointing and a crown.

In Walking to Jerusalem, Dr. Chris Hill travels through the 12 cities that shaped David’s life and explores what those places mean in light of God’s calling to us.

Bible Gateway interviewed Dr. Chris Hill (@PastorChrisHill) about his book, Walking to Jerusalem: Discovering Your Divine Life Purpose (David C. Cook, 2016).

What does studying King David’s life path centuries ago as presented in the Bible have to do with the ordinary person today?

Dr. Chris Hill: Because the Bible gives us such a long view of the life of David—from his birth, childhood, anointing, adolescence, coronation, and even to his deathbed and final words. We’re given the full scope of his life and experiences. By viewing God through the lens of David’s experiences as he’s literally walking from Bethlehem (his birthplace) to Jerusalem (the place where he will reign), we’re given a down-to-earth view of how we to can walk into our divine purpose.

How have you used cities in David’s life as a way to describe David’s character development?

Dr. Chris Hill: As we study the 12 cities that David passed through and examine the different challenges that he faced—we also see how God was developing his character through those experiences. Each city taught him a different lesson and we not only learn from his experiences, we can also see what “city” or stage we may be in and discover the lessons that God is desiring for us to learn in the city we’re in.

Why is developing personal character an important part of discovering a person’s divine life purpose?

Dr. Chris Hill: As we discover our divine life purpose we also need to develop the character that’s necessary to occupy that role of service in the Kingdom of God. Purpose without character is pointless, because without the right character we can quickly forfeit the purpose that God has designed for us

How does your book remind readers that where they begin in life doesn’t have to be where they end up?

Dr. Chris Hill: In Walking to Jerusalem, as we’re examining the life of David, the sheer fact that he emerged from such a small place as Bethlehem and still rose to the level of king in his Jerusalem is enough of an inspiration to my readers because David is proof positive that our beginning is not the definer of what we can become. In the book we explore the reality that it doesn’t matter where you start; what matters is what you finish.

What is the arrow principle?

Dr. Chris Hill: The arrow principle as I explain in the book is when God moves you backwards to propel you forward. Like an arrow you may appear to be losing ground or going backwards; but God is able to use even that to take you to the next level.

What do you mean when you say a life’s purpose unfolds?

Dr. Chris Hill: Your life purpose will unfold for you as you walk to you destiny. Each city provides another context clue for what God wants you do ultimately. So often we move so quickly through life without prayerfully examining our steps; this is a mistake, because God is constantly trying to teach you and prepare you for your destiny.

Explain your statement, “The first step to fulfilling your own purpose is to allow God to challenge the parameters of your own perception.”

Dr. Chris Hill: God challenges your paradigm: he opens your heart and mind to new people and new experiences so that you can be exposed to another world of opportunities. This first step is so important because, until you allow your perception to be challenged, you’ll always see what you’ve been conditioned by your past to see.

How does God use painful difficulties in a person’s life?

Dr. Chris Hill: God uses pain as a professor, challenge as a classroom, and trials as a teacher. He’s too loving to put us into any situation that we cannot bear, so the pains that we endure are ultimately designed to make us better, wiser, and stronger.

What role does the Bible have in our journey to live out our life’s divine purpose?

Dr. Chris Hill: The Bible is our ultimate guide to discovering and developing our divine life purpose. Locked up in the pages of that wonderful book is the life that God has purposed for us. Through study and prayer and contemplation I believe we can discover this purpose and begin the walk to that destiny. In Walking to Jerusalem I’m able to help point readers in the right direction.

What are your thoughts about Bible Gateway and the Bible Gateway App?

Dr. Chris Hill: The Bible Gateway App is a tremendous tool to help us access our Bible. Thousands of people have been following the reading plan and digging deeper into the Word of God. I’ve been hearing from and meeting them all over the country and so many lives have been impacted on a very personal level. So I’m very thankful for this window on the Word of God that’s been opened for the body of Christ through the Bible Gateway App.

Bio: Dr. Chris Hill served as youth and associate pastor at Bishop T. D. Jakes’s church in Dallas, Texas, before traveling as a world evangelist for seven years. In 2009, he began preaching at a struggling church in Denver, Colorado. Soon after his arrival, he was installed as senior pastor of the church, which became The Potter’s House of Denver in 2010. Now one of the fastest growing churches in America, The Potter’s House provides one of Denver’s largest homeless initiatives, a prison ministry that serves over ten prisons state-wide, a free counseling center, and services for veterans, seniors, and youth. God continues to use Dr. Hill to help redefine the scope and influence of the postmodern pulpit. Over the past 20 years of Dr. Hill’s ministry, 30 million people have heard his empowering message of hope that crosses all cultures, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

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