Do You Know Your Purpose?
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“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” — Psalm 138:8 (ESV)
Do you know what your purpose in life is? Maybe it’s to get a dream job, have three kids, get married to the love of your life, or travel the world? Maybe for others of you, it’s to get rich, be famous, or make a lot of money. For me, it’s always been to be a traditionally published author. I can’t explain it to you, but writing cries out from my bones. Even if I tried to resist it, my hands would surely find a pen and put it to paper.
The crazy thing about you and I’s calling, however, is that we quickly mistake it with our divine purpose as human beings. Yes, God created each of us with a unique calling we feel called to fulfill. However, to quote my friend and fellow author Gina Birkemeier, we’re human beings, not human doings, and I think we often forget that.
Do you know what the real and biggest purpose of your life is? To share the light of the Gospel with everyone you meet by loving God and loving others. This is why the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV) reads this way:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Today, you and I are given countless opportunities to share God’s love with other people. And while yes, our dreams, goals, and specific callings are important, I believe God cares most about Disciples becoming and making other Disciples.
In essence, we’re to become like Christ, glorify Him, and share His transformational power with others.
To quote Billy Graham, one of the greatest evangelists of all time:
“God’s purpose for every individual is this: God wants us to know Him personally by giving our lives to Jesus Christ. Then He wants us to discover what it means to live for Him in obedience. The Bible says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
While I can’t predict the trajectory of your life, I know this: God has good plans for you because He alone is good. He is faithful. He is kind. He is loving. And no matter what, His purpose for your life will be fulfilled. How do I know this? Because I trust the one who holds all things together. God will not forsake you, the work of His hands, and you can rest assured that if you’re walking with Him, everything will pan out exactly how and when it’s supposed to.
Question for Reflection:
Have you struggled to fulfill God’s purpose with your life? Have you confused what you do with to whom you belong? Have you grown weary in pursuing dreams and callings and wondered if you’re too far gone? This week, I encourage you to spend time reading Psalm 138. Ask God to give you confidence in His calling and point out any areas of your life where you need to trust Him deeper. Make a list of ways you can share the Gospel with those you love, and then ask God to align those methods with the specific plans He’s placed on your heart.
