What Is God’s Purpose For Your Life?
During my Senior year in high school, when everyone was working on filling out college applications, I was procrastinating. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, but going to college to avoid working at McDonald’s was supposed to be a good enough reason. Unlike me, other students at least knew their major. They were moving towards a life of purpose and value; they were going to do great things that would have an impact.
After I graduated, my life was still a giant question mark, but I went anyway because I was going to fake it till I made it. I began to craft my own purpose, even though it wasn’t concrete, it was still something to work with. However, every plan I started to create for my life crumbled; I was chasing purpose, but apparently, purpose was not interested in me.
What is Purpose?
Years later, I turned wholeheartedly to God, looking for something more. Pursuing a degree at college wasn’t enough, and having a job seemed meaningless. I was tired of going through the motions and unwilling to accept that this was all there was to life.
How little did I know about what it meant to have purpose? All along, I did not have to chase it because I already had it.
The purpose I needed to know was the reason why I was created. The search does not begin with “What should I do with my life?” but “Why was I given life?” We chase purpose because it gives us value—a reason to live, confidence in being who we are. However, if our purpose comes from “what should I do with my life?” our value will be as fickle as the stock market.
Purpose Is Not Temporary
Your purpose is not defined by temporary pursuits such as achievements, possessions, popularity, positions, and titles. These things did not create you, they do not give you life. They are short-lived and can be taken away.
We love these temporary things because they make us feel good, but we crumble when they are taken away.
Imagine a doctor who has been fired and no one else will hire them. They have to figure out, “What should I do with my life now?” But before that is the anger of giving themselves to something that so easily rejected them.
Yes, they have their family and friends, but each person longs to do something, whether managing a household or a nation, gardening or farming.
I know there are many other things that they can find to do due to the increase in technology and business opportunities; however, their purpose is constantly being detached and reattached to something else.
Purpose is Eternal
We can plan what we will do with our lives, but never reinvent “why we exist” because God’s reason for creating us never changes. It does not matter the season or the circumstances of your life. Wherever you are, whoever you are, your purpose remains the same. It is as eternal as the Creator is eternal. Regardless of our chosen paths, we were all created to know Him and be known by Him.
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”’ (Genesis 1:27)
The Bible is filled with the declaration of God’s desire to reunite with His children. He calls out to all of us prodigals to come home, back to Eden.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23)
Our Calling Comes From Purpose
Our calling or whatever work that we find to do comes from unity with God.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” (John 5:19-20)
He has gifted us with wisdom, ideas, skills, and talents that we desire to explore and nurture. He gave them so that we would use them to create, be fruitful, and steward whatever He has placed in our hands!
Life with God is not idle. There is much to do in the Kingdom.
Before there was sin in the world, there was work to do. Adam wasn’t just sitting around twiddling his thumbs. God formed Adam and gave him the garden and the animals to tend.
Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. (Genesis 2:15)
Another example is David. He was a man who lived his whole life being led by God, from a shepherd boy in the fields to ruling over a nation. God gave him wisdom, power, talent, and skills at each stage of his life. They worked together, leading, raising, and protecting the nation of Israel.
He wants to do the same with you, too. If God hasn’t given you a specific calling or mission, His Word is not without instruction. You are called to serve at home, church, work, help the poor, seek justice, care for the fatherless, the widow, and more.
Before you were born, He knew you and all the possibilities he placed inside you. It is a mystery that unfolds as you walk with the Holy Spirit. Things that you didn’t ever think to do, He will reveal to you. However, before the calling, there must be a relationship. Everything you do is with Him, in Him, and through Him.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
When we attach our source of purpose to the calling, we are setting ourselves up for trouble. What we should have dominion over will have dominion over us.
To Conclude
Your reason for existing and what you do with your life should be rooted in your relationship with God. It has been designed from the beginning and will always be in eternity. That’s what eternity is about: God dwelling among us.
“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
Reflection Questions
- Why do you chase purpose?
- What is the purpose you have been living for?
- Do you agree that purpose is eternal?
- How does this perspective change the way you see your life?
