What is God’s purpose for your life?
Have you ever asked yourself the question: “What is my purpose in life?” If you’ve done this then you aren’t alone. Many people go through life feeling discouraged about themselves and thinking they don’t have a purpose in life. But that’s not true. Whoever you are—whatever your life experiences, talents, physical ability, or role—you have a purpose.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago“ (Ephesians 2:10, NLT). First, God created you. You are not an accident. And second, God has a plan for you. You have a purpose in life!
You are a miracle and have been created to know God. The Bible teaches us that we can we can enter into relationship with God through believing in Jesus, God’s Son. “Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God“ (John 3:3, NLT). Jesus also says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6). If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10, NLT).
You are created to bring glory to God. “I will say to the north and south, ‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth. Bring all who claim me as their God for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them” (Isaiah 43:6-7, NLT).
You are created to praise God. “All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name” (Psalm 86:9, NLT).
You are created to grow. The type of person you become is more important than your successes and failures in the world. “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!“ (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT).
You are created to spread the good news of a new life in Christ. “Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does” (Psalm 96:3, NLT). Jesus asks each of us to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age“ (Matthew 28:19-20, NLT).
You are created to use the talents and abilities God has given you for His glory. “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly” (Romans 12:4-8, NLT).
When it comes to discovering your true purpose in Christ, be careful not to minimize your value. As Christians collectively form one Body, the Church, every part of it is equally important. It doesn’t matter what your particular role is because each one of us are a vital part of the Kingdom. “In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity“ (1 Corinthians 12:22-24, NLT).
The bottom line is that God is actively at work in each of our lives providing meaning and purpose. Together with God’s people, the church, we form a movement of sorts whereby we fulfill God’s purpose in our lives by using our gifts to praise Him, give glory to His name, spread the good news about salvation!