Purpose

Have you ever wondered what your purpose is? What it is you were meant to do in this life? If you have, you’re not alone. There are over 3.3 billion search results for “purpose of life”. Interestingly, google also highlights a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, a philosopher and writer, that attempts to answer the question with “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” I don’t disagree. But I do believe the definition falls short. 

In our first blog post, we discussed the incredible precision God used to create you. God is not human. There is nothing he does that is without purpose. In 2 Timothy 1:9 it says, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” God has a purpose for your life. He has a plan for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11) His plans are not just for you to know him, to be saved by His son, to be loved by him, to be blessed by him. His plans for you are even greater because He is greater. God has an assignment for you. His plan for your life includes an assignment that you and you alone can fulfill. So while I agree with Emerson that the purpose of life is to be useful, I will add the critical piece I believe is missing, being useful to Him. 

I realize the next logical question is the big one, “so how do I discover what God intends for my life?”. Now that can be both a big and daunting question or it can be broken down to a very tangible, very actionable one. In Matthew 6:34, Jesus tells us “do not worry about tomorrow.” He guides us to focus on the day that is in front of us. God wants us to be available to him. To seek Him and His plan for us. In prayer, we can ask God how he wants to use us, and because we have a God who speaks, he will answer. I encourage you, right now, to seek our Father and ask how he wants to use you today. To do so, you can pray:

“Heavenly Father, I believe you are a God that speaks. I thank you that you want a relationship with me, that you want to guide me, that you want me to know the plans you have for me. I come to you seeking guidance for today.”

From there, you can ask God:

-       God, is there someone you want me to pray for? Will you bring their face or name to mind?

-       Is there someone you want me to reach out to and encourage?

-       Is there someone you want me to forgive?

-       Is there a burden you want me to surrender?

The last two questions may seem odd. The state of our hearts matters tremendously to our Father. To be used by God is to do what he asks of us. I can share not a day has gone by where God hasn’t given me an answer of Yes to three of the four questions above. We are human. We are easily offended. We carry our burdens and often believe we can handle things in our own strength. God, lovingly, will tell us otherwise. He will guide us for how he wants to use us, day by day. As you continue to seek Him, as you ask Him these questions and respond by taking action, you will begin to see how God shows you the purpose and assignment he has on your life. 

Praying blessings of joy, grace, peace and purpose in Him.