What's My Purpose, Lord?

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What is Purpose?

Oxford Dictionary defines purpose as “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.”

That makes sense. Most of us want to know why we were created and for what destiny we were put here on earth to fulfill. We have a great desire to understand the reason for our existence and everything that has happened to us, from birth to the present moment. We spend hours on our knees before God pleading with Him to tell us why we exist.

Without purpose, we tend to fizzle out. If there’s not a motivating factor driving us to do what life requires of us, we may very quickly give up. There’s a reason people write books that become very popular, such as The Purpose-Driven Life. Purpose is the only thing that truly drives our lives.

In our endless quest to understand what our specific purpose is and how we can live out our calling, we must not forget one central truth: God created us on purpose, for a purpose, and that purpose is summed up in Him.

God Created Us on Purpose

Yes, we were created on purpose. God didn’t throw together some ingredients of our DNA—willy-nilly—and hope that we would turn out okay. He purposefully crafted each and every one of us from the moment we were conceived. God knew when, where, how, and under what circumstances we would be born. He placed specific traits into each of us, both physical and emotional. He did all of this on purpose, making no mistakes and leaving nothing to chance.

Similarly, we were chosen by God before we were born. We explored that idea last week. We discovered what it means to be chosen by God and the security that comes from knowing we are chosen. We studied a passage in 1 Peter, where we are told that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession” (1 Peter 2:9a, HCSB).

God Created Us for a Purpose

But that passage doesn’t end there. The next part of that sentence will reveal something profound about our lives. It extends beyond our awareness that we were created intentionally or that we are fully known and loved by God. Peter says we were chosen and hold each of those identity markers, “so that [we] may proclaim the praises of the One who called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9b HCSB (emphasis mine). That is the purpose for which we were created.

God chose us and crafted us into unique individuals. We are His beloved children. And God also tells us we were put on earth for a very specific purpose: to proclaim His praises. Our purpose is to spread the message, the good news. God called us out of the darkness and brought us into His Kingdom of marvelous light for a purpose.

Knowing this, we must not sit back content with knowing who and whose we are. We must share the message of hope and redemption with those around us. Jesus told us that we are “the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden” Matthew 5:14 NLT.

We are blessed with the most beautiful of all lights, the one that shines infinitely brighter than any others. Therefore, we must not sit on this light, dim it, or keep it to ourselves. We must go throughout the world shining our light for all to see as we give praise and glory to God.

Our Purpose is Summed Up in God Himself

The passage from 1 Peter states, “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” 1 Peter 2:10 HCSB, emphasis mine.

You see, we weren’t put here on earth to accomplish a single specific task or fulfill a particular project. God didn’t create us to write a book, travel the world, be a good friend, be a super mom, or perform on stage. Now I’m not saying these roles are not relevant or a part of God’s plans. They definitely can be a part of His plan for us. But, ultimately, our purpose is summed up in Him.

It’s clear: we are God’s people. We have received God’s incredible mercy.

Purposefully Fulfilling Your Purpose

We aren’t here to serve ourselves. We aren’t here to fulfill our dreams and passions or to pursue the desires of our hearts without regard for those around us. We are here for God, the One who created us and fulfills all of our dreams in the most meaningful of ways. To be the salt and light. To shine brightly and be a beacon for all to see.

Today, I encourage you to go to your Father. Let go of the stress of trying to figure out your purpose and striving to make things happen in your own strength. I’m not telling you not to seek your purpose, but if you’re forcing yourself to be someone or something you are not comfortable with or do not feel called to do, then my friend, what you are trying to do or accomplish is most likely not your purpose.

Why? Because your purpose will be comfortable, it will be second nature to you. When you are living your purpose, you are your authentic self. And, when you are living your purpose, you will find the fulfillment and joy you are so desperately seeking.

“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” Psalm 57:2 ESV.

So, my friend, I encourage you right this very moment to be still and allow God to speak words of peace and love over you. Let Him place on your heart that your purpose is found in Him and Him alone.

If we have God, we have all we could ever need.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV