Finding Your Purpose in God

“Finding your Purpose” seems to be everywhere.  I’m seeing entire books published, and lots of Pinterest, Instagram and blog posts on the topic.  My own blogging ministry started when my Bible study leader prayed for our group to “find our purpose in God.”  I recently had someone tell me she was struggling with knowing her purpose.  It made me wonder what these words really mean.

finding our purpose in God- background of a bouquet of bright purple, pink, orange  and green flowers with a white transparent circle in the center with Philippians 2:13 in the centereen

Discover Your Purpose

When I was praying about my own purpose, I had in mind either going back to nursing, or searching for a new job.  In my mind, my purpose was job-related.  Where did He want me?

The world’s focus of what I’d been seeing is finding your lifelong, unique purpose so that you are fulfilled and joyful. 

Purpose is perceived to be equal with passion.  The world’s question is: what fires you up?  It’s followed by cultivating a talent or skill we are interested in or good at, and then following your heart for guidance.

God’s Purpose for Your Life

God shows us a different way.

Simon Peter and Andrew were fishermen, Paul was a tentmaker, and Matthew was a tax collector. Those activities helped them feed and clothe themselves, but they were not the purpose of their lives. 

God used the strengths they had gained in their occupations and applied them towards their ministry work.

God gives us our talents and gifts but he gives them to us to serve him and others, not ourselves.  Our purpose is not about us, it’s how God wants to work through you using your unique personality, your commitment to him, and your talents.

Bible Verses about Finding Your Purpose

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

It’s how God loves us and it’s his ultimate purpose for us.  He wants total love and commitment to him in all aspects of our lives.

”Love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” Joshua 22:5 (NIV)

Loving him completely is our purpose.

There is no job or occupation in which we can’t live out these verses.  He wants to guide us through every aspect of our lives: our relationships, jobs, hobbies, homes, free time, and families. These things may morph and change through our lives, but our purpose to love and serve God first never changes.

Related Post∼Living Out Micah 6:8

God Has a Purpose For You

How can we discern what God’s purpose is for our lives?

We have the Holy Spirit- God’s personal presence- living within us.  Jesus told his disciples “when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13 (NLT) He promises to give us insights into His purposes.

Psalm 23:3 tells us that God “guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”  He shepherds us on the paths that conform us to his will.

Know Your God

We have to go to his Word for guidance.  How can we know His plan and purpose when we don’t know Him? What does He expect from us?  What does He want us to do?  It’s all there in the Bible.  Make it a daily habit to study His word so that you can understand what He wants from you.

Prayer for My Purpose in Life

Pray to know God’s intended path for your life. Pray for His guidance and direction.  Ask Him to mold and change you according to His plans.

Finding your Purpose- girl sitting atop a mountain

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Discovering Your God-Given Purpose

He might want you to stay right where you are, or He may have bigger plans for you.

The key to discovery is to quiet yourself and take time to listen to his still, small voice.  When God came to Elijah, his voice was a “gentle whisper.”  Pray about it, and listen closely.

When God first gave me this idea for a blog, it started out as just that.  It was an idea as an answer to  prayer.

So I prayed, I listened, and….

Who Can Resist the Will of God?

Have you ever heard the phrase “she persisted?”  Well, “I resisted.” Day after day I received ideas for blog posts.  I finally began writing them down and filled pages with notes. Still, I resisted. 

Then I heard a radio ad for a local Christian Writers Conference.   Their pitch was to meet with writers to be equipped and inspired. I resisted. 

That ad came on so many times, I finally gave in and registered “just to see.” 

God’s purpose seemed clear to me, but I was fearful that I could actually pull it off.  But he faithfully continued to draw me into His purpose and plan.  He was the persistent One!

The rest is history, so they say.

But I will give you another example that flies in the face of what I just told you.

What is God Trying to Tell Me?

Years ago, I wanted to serve on a team for a weekend retreat.  When I filled out the application, I boldly chose “no preference” as to where to serve, or in other words “God, you get to choose.” 

I was positive He would ask me to serve in the kitchen (I love to cook and bake) or on the prayer team (a weekend of prayer? I’d love that!) 

When I got the call, it was to give a talk to the retreat participants.  No, no, no God!  I’m a worker bee and behind-the-scenes gal. And I’m terrified of public speaking!

Stepping Our of Your Comfort Zone

Sometimes God calls us out of our comfort zones, our passions, and our talents to serve His purpose.

This is where I learned the meaning of the quote, “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

I couldn’t really back out, but inside I was kicking and screaming the whole way!  Was he faithful?  Of course- he orchestrated events that made his purpose clear.  Was I still terrified?  Yes.

My take away?  We need to be in prayer with open hearts and open minds.  Trust he can do all things through us if we bend to His will.

Fulfilling Your God Given Purpose

Love him wholeheartedly and look for ways to love others with his compassion.

He plans our lives long before we are born.  He can use us no matter what our age (you are never too old!) or our level of ability.  Make Him the center of your entire life and be at peace.  He will guide you.

Bible Verses about Purpose

Here are a few more verses to give you peace as you are finding your purpose in God:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”  Proverbs 19:21(NIV)

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”  Phil 2:13 (NIV)

Blessings!

AnnMarie

Related Post∼ Following God’s Direction

Photo Credit: Pixabay, AnnMarie Anderson

12 thoughts on “Finding Your Purpose in God”

  1. Yes! I love how you said it, “Our purpose is not about us, it’s how God wants to work through you using your unique personality, your commitment to him, and your talents.”

    I think joy and fulfillment on many levels can also happen but it may not look like the world’s idea of success. It’s our job to fulfill HIS purposes!

    1. Yes, His purposes look different from how the world in general views “purpose.” Joy and fulfillment can come in abundance as we serve!

  2. I struggled for a long time to understand my purpose. I knew that God wanted me to serve him and others, but if I was stuck at home, how could I do that? The idea for my blog did not come initially as a way to serve God, but it didn’t take very long for me to see how I could serve him there. What a blessing it has been! And I’m so thankful!

    1. Your blog is amazing and blesses so many! It is a testament that God can use us in ways we never think of on our own!

  3. Beautiful. I’m always going to Him more and more about how to walk in my purpose wherever I am. I love that you mention that my purpose is not about my job but using my gifts to serve.

  4. AnnMarie, the idea of wholehearted love for God has been on my heart all year long. As I read this, it confirms that God is calling me to serving Him and others is more important than any ‘job’ may be. As a stay at home mom, this encourages me to serve those He has placed in my care, and look for ways to volunteer in this season of being home when I have the unique time to do so. Thank yo for the reminder to “Love him wholeheartedly and look for ways to love others with his compassion.”

    1. Amen Elaine! I was a stay at home mom for almost 15 years, and He called me there. I was a full time nurse, He called me there. Each season of my life; part time work, and now “reitired” to write, I have felt His strong presence. What a treasure! Thanks for reading and for the encouraging comment. Bless you!

  5. It’s been such a relief to me since I’ve come to understand that my purpose is really not mine at all, but God’s to decide. I just have to be willing to work for Him, and He will make the way to fulfill His purpose for my life. Thank you for this reminder of that beautiful thought!

  6. Jessica Brodie

    Amen to this! I used to worry about MY purpose, but it’s so liberating to understand now my purpose is to align myself with God’s plan for my life. To God be the glory!!

    1. I really didn’t fully understand it either! Abide in Him, He will abide in you…. Yes! to God be the glory!

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