For as far back as I can remember, my heart’s desire was to be two things- a mother and a nurse. God blessed me to live out both dreams. I often wondered, though, was my sense of purpose aligning with His? How do we know our life’s purpose in Christ?
The prophet Isaiah explains God’s purpose in creating us- it is for His glory!
Isaiah 43:7
“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Our overall purpose, then, is to reflect God’s glory- all His beauty, magnificence, mercy, grace, and love- through our actions, speech, etc. We are to be His image-bearers; to draw others to Him.
We are to show the world God’s love by loving others as He did and sharing the Good News of the Gospel.
If we want to be effective in carrying out this work, we need to know our own purpose. Jesus doesn’t want cookie-cutter presentations with the same words in the same situations.
He has prepared each of us by giving us unique personalities and talents.
Purpose of Life
God’s plans and purposes for our lives are no secret to Him. He knew us before the beginning of time and knows the exact hour we will be together forever.
After all, He is the One who created you:
“My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:15-16.
Each one of us has very different gifts and abilities to showcase the glory of God.
The process begins by giving us spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit. He decides which gifts each one of us should have.
The apostle Paul talks about our God-given gifts here:
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.”
We are to discover our spiritual gifts and develop them into talents. Isn’t it encouraging to know that the gifts, ministries, and activities are diverse, yet God’s power is actively working through each one?
What will our purpose be for using these gifts? How do we discover our true purpose?
Finding My Purpose in Christ
After my children were grown, I asked myself this exact question. Where did He want me? In my mind, my general purpose was job related. Where could I continue to work and be a light for Him there?
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 their occupations were not the purpose of their lives.
How Do I Find My Purpose in God
We all have natural talents, passions, and dreams. Our personalities may swing towards a social butterfly with a passion for teaching.
We also know our shortcomings and skills we lack. For example, I cannot sing or play a musical instrument, so I knew He was not calling me to join any worship music position.
Knowing these things can give a sense of direction, but they don’t always give us the definitive answers we need.
We can all struggle with the question of finding our purpose. Different seasons of life bring new possibilities for your real purpose.
Here are some ways to connect with the One who has the answers and wants to share it with us.
Spending Time with God
●Begin with Prayer
Pray with an open heart and an open mind.
Pray for God’s wisdom, guidance, and clarity. Ask your heavenly Father to reveal any hidden or dormant gifts and talents He can use for His purpose.
Pray against distractions or feelings of unworthiness/perceived lack of ability.
The devil does not want us working for Jesus Christ and advancing God’s kingdom! He will try to sow seeds of doubt, confusion, conflict, and fear, steering you away from discovering your unique role.
Ask trusted friends, mentors, or teachers to pray for you. My own blogging ministry began when my Bible Study leader prayed for each of us to find our purpose in God.
A Biblical Perspective
●Study His Word
God’s wisdom, knowledge, and character are all revealed in His Word. We will be better able to discern His path for us when we study His holy instructions, insights, and promises.
We have the Holy Spirit, our wise counselor, to “guide us into all truth. (John 16:13). He personally leads and enlightens us about what we read in God’s Word.
He also provides us with courage and comfort as we reflect and act upon God’s calling.
Knowing God equips us to discern our purpose, what He expects, and where He wants us to go. Commit to a daily habit of studying His Word so you can better understand and trust His plans for you.
One key to discovering your purpose 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.” We might miss it if we are always speaking, too busy, or too content where we are to truly listen.
Pray about what God is trying to tell you and then listen for His guidance.
It may come as a single word, through a sermon, or as an opportunity to serve or learn. Keep your ears and heart open to His voice.
●Be Willing to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Accepting the invitation to give our life to Christ brings the gift of salvation and eternal life. He gave up His life for us; we surrender ours to Him.
It means we stop fighting the battle between our self-centered, sinful nature and choose the will of God and His plans for us.
Opening ourselves to the unknown can seem scary and implausible. I’ve been there! Paul gives us this encouragement:
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Sit with Him; placing all your concerns and worries into His hands. The result is God’s amazing peace, knowing you have let God take control.
When God first gave me this idea for a blog, it started out as just that. It was an idea that came to me as an answer to a question.
His answer/idea was not on my radar nor in my scope of possibility (or so I thought.) I had, however, always dreamt of writing children’s books, but never got around to it.
He used my long simmering passion for writing to suggest I write a blog. I had never even read a blog. I had zero computer/website building skills.
Thankfully, I wasn’t fearful, only confused about why He was asking me to do something I was unskilled and inexperienced at.
Here’s where the saying, “God doesn’t always call the qualified, but He always qualifies those whom He calls,” comes in.
You see, years earlier, I was asked to speak at a women’s retreat. I was terrified!
The spiritual growth I gained from leaning on Him and experiencing Him lead prepared me to trust in this new purpose and plan.
(I cannot lie- I did a bit of “kicking and screaming” inside along the way.) But throughout the process, God’s grace was on full display.
He orchestrated events and put people in my path that made His purpose clear. For every question/argument I gave, He lovingly provided an answer.
Bible Verses about Finding Your Purpose
Here are a few more verses to give you peace and encouragement as you seek your purpose in Christ:
Psalm 138:8
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love O Lord, endures forever- do not abandon the works of your hands.”
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Deuteronomy 28:12
God blesses us for our obedience: “The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.“
Romans 8:28
“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
Matthew 16:24
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
This is Jesus’ expectation for His followers. They would deny themselves, surrendering to Him.
Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Philippians 2:13
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.“
God-Given Purpose
Finding your purpose is a process that each one of us has to work to discover. God’s plan for our lives is perfect but requires contemplation, prayer, study of His Word, obedience, and surrender.
God wants us to discover our unique purpose He planned out for us so long ago. As we go through different seasons of life, He may call us to the next steps of our spiritual growth and into additional parts of His plan.
Stay vigilant about the ways He speaks to you. Purposefully love and seek Him daily. The world needs Him desperately, and He wants us to take part in showing His love through the gifts and purpose He has blessed us with.
“To God be all the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36
Blessings of Purpose!
AnnMarie
It can be a struggle to come to an understanding of our purpose in Christ. We strive to live for Him daily, do good works, follow His instructions to love Him and our neighbors as ourselves. But often we question, is this is all we are meant to do? The process can be confusing!
If you would like to carefully explore the YOU God created and your purpose, I’ve created this worksheet to help. This will not be an easy or quick lesson! It takes some soul searching and study. Take some time journaling your answers, questions, meaningful Bible verses, and God’s direction. Click on the image below to directly download and print the worksheet.
All Scripture is taken from the NIV unless specified otherwise.
Photo Credit: Canva
You are an inspiration to others who at any age find that God is calling them to their purpose in His Kingdom.
Great post!
Thanks, Ann!
Thank you- I guess we are never too old! 🙂