Created with a Purpose: Living Out Your God-Given Design
It was the summer before my senior year of high school when my dad and I sat on the porch discussing future plans—who I wanted to become and where I wanted to go. For years, I’d been set on majoring in veterinary medicine. Since the age of 10, I’d volunteered thousands of hours at the local shelter, participated in countless service projects, written dozens of articles on animal welfare, and taken all the required courses. But now, I found myself frantic and confused.
“I thought God wanted me to be a vet,” I began. “But God asked me if I’d be willing to do everything I do for animals for Him.”
“What did you say?” my dad asked with a smile. “Well, I said yes.”
Over the next decade, it became clear that God was calling me away from my passion for animals and into a genuine desire to serve Him through my writing. While I can reflect on this moment now with confidence, it was frightening at the time to leave behind everything I thought I knew. I was terrified of choosing the wrong career, attending an unsuitable college, or marrying the wrong person. I treated God’s will like a pinpoint on a map, mistakenly believing I could miss it entirely.
What about you? Do you worry that if you don’t choose the perfect job, the right house, or the best college, God’s purpose for you will be unfulfilled? The good news is, you aren’t that powerful.
That evening on the porch, my dad shared something I’ll never forget: “God’s will isn’t a dot, it’s more like a line with parameters. God leads and guides us, but it’s up to us to listen. He gives us the free will to choose, and sometimes, that freedom comes with many options.” The same is true for us today.
Before time began, God created us in His image to do good works. If we believe in Jesus, listen to His promptings, and remain attuned to His Spirit within us, we will fulfill His purpose for our lives. Yes, we may make wrong choices along the way (even accidentally), but we aren’t the ones controlling the ropes, and that brings much comfort.
Psalm 138:8 reminds us: “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands” (ESV).
Philippians 1:6 offers further reassurance: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (NLT).
No matter what season or transition you’re in, remember this: God created you with a purpose, and living out your God-given design doesn’t require perfection; it requires obedience. If you’re willing to embrace who you are as a child of God and what He’s called you to do as a Christian (Matthew 28:16-20), then it doesn’t matter if you’re a teacher, psychologist, author, or plumber. You carry the mission of Christ and the Good News of the Gospel wherever you go. We are God’s handiwork, His masterpieces, created in Jesus to do good works. Nothing and no one can thwart that purpose for our lives.
Question for Reflection:
Do you fear missing God’s will? Are you worried you’re on the wrong career path or making the wrong choice? Many people do. The next time you feel overwhelmed about your purpose, remind yourself of God’s commission for all of us found in Matthew 28:16-20. Consider reading the Scripture, meditating on God’s Word, or journaling your thoughts. Don’t hesitate to express your true feelings to God; use those words as prayers. You may still feel anxious, but engaging in this practice reminds our minds and souls that, no matter what choices we make, God is on the throne, and He’s in control.
