Do you know the purpose of your life?
I don’t mean what you do for a living. I mean what you do for your life.
It can be easy to get so caught up in what you do that it can masquerade as your purpose. Our culture promotes this perspective—the first question people usually ask after meeting you is, “What do you do?” Then you might feel proud if it seems to be a prestigious job or ashamed if your job isn’t as esteemed.
But your purpose is much larger than your career. In fact, if you’re like most people, you will change careers at least once and be happier for the change. In addition, you’re likely to change jobs, on average, every five years.
So put aside ideas of earning of living and think instead about the “work” that God has called you to do. In fact, Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that God has prepared good works in advance for each of us to do, so we need to figure out what they are!
Jesus put it plainly: “Let me tell you why you are here,” he said in Matthew 5:13-14: “You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth…. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.” (MSG).
How would you respond to Jesus? What would you say about the God-flavors and God-colors that you are bringing out?
Don’t Fall into this Fallacy
Sometimes people are paralyzed by the fear of having nothing to offer. Go back and reread Ephesians 2:10. Then consider the talents, gifts, and abilities you’ve been given–some may still be undeveloped or in storage. But God still wants to use them! God is calling you, in and through his love, to know your purpose. Your life matters, and it matters deeply.
When you discover why you’re here at this time and in this place, that purpose will invigorate you and give you new meaning and significance, not just in your kingdom work but in all of your life.
When you find your God-given purpose and align your entire life to that purpose, you’ll find a new sense of “aliveness” and joy beyond your biggest dreams. Of course, you’ll still encounter a broken world and suffer its pain, but a new morning means you have another opportunity to serve others as God intended for you.
We weren’t created to serve ourselves for our own pleasures. While that life can be tempting, especially when you’re young, the wisest man on earth became the grumpiest man on earth after taking every pleasure he wanted, including sex with hundreds of women. He came to the conclusion that “all things are wearisome” and that “everything is futile.” If you don’t believe it, read the book of Ecclesiastes. What was King Solomon’s advice? “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.…” (12:1)
How to Discover Your Purpose
Seeing your purpose in life requires much prayer and reflection. Don’t neglect time in stillness before God or you may miss his direction.
However, you can’t discover your purpose in life by yourself. In fact, we learn the most about ourselves through our interactions with others. Part of self-reflection is understanding how we relate to others and how we are perceived by them.
Perhaps the best place to come to know your life purpose is in a good church community. God calls his children to be part of the body, to be community-forming love just as the triune God is community-forming love.
Church isn’t just a place to pray and hear messages; it is where you form important face-to-face relationships, grow in your wisdom and faith, and learn your role in God’s family.
If you’re not sure if you have indeed found your life purpose, take the brief 5-question quiz below for some great resources to help you on your journey.
