Have you ever questioned what your purpose in life is? Or even ever Googled: What is the purpose of life?
Because Google will never fail you and knows everything, right?
Wink wink... the answer is NO, I hope I don't have to explain that one 😉! Google will fail you and shouldn't be your go-to when figuring out the hard questions in life.
But God and His Word will never fail you and still holds true today and is relevant to finding life hard to answer questions.
We should rely on scripture to find our purpose rather than turning to the internet. I am guilty of seeking answers to life's difficult questions from Google or other people before turning to God. It's something God and I have talked about many times in the past.
So, of course, when wrestling with the right words to create this blog, I used Google to help me. Some lessons take me a while to learn 😉. Progress... not perfection.
According to the University of Minnesota, "What Is Life Purpose," the answer is:
"Your life purpose consists of the central motivating aims of your life—the reasons you get up in the morning. Purpose can guide life decisions, influence behavior, shape goals, offer a sense of direction, and create meaning. For some people, purpose is connected to vocation—meaningful, satisfying work."
Some questions (according to that article) we may ask ourselves are:
Who am I?
Where do I belong?
When do I feel fulfilled?
This profoundly makes sense when you stop and think about it and compare it to scripture. We are all born on purpose, for a purpose.
Every.
Single.
One.
Of.
Us.
No matter who we are, what we have done, where we are at. etc.
We all have a purpose. A God-given purpose.
It's just a matter of recognizing it and living up to the potential God sees in us.
Have you ever self-reflected or asked God:
What brings me the most fulfillment?
What is my purpose?
What is my passion?
What motivates me to get up every day?
What have You (God) called me to do?
What spiritual gifts do You want me to use for the glory of Your Great Name?
Hello, it's me.
If you aren't reflecting on those questions... maybe today is the day to start! I promise you that God wants to reveal your God-given purpose and potential. I've repeatedly had this conversation with God. And for quite some time, I was left without a solid answer. I felt like I was left to figure it out myself. I said YES to God and expected to be used in some miraculous ways instantly for His kingdom. Has He used me? YES absolutely!
But I have a hard time seeing the bigger picture of God's reason for my waiting season.
I can now see that God is using my waiting season for a season of preparation. I see how God is preparing me for what is to come, and He has been stretching me spiritually (think 'get outside your comfort zone' for God's glory) to get me to where I need to be for the "what's next."
I know I am called to write... but the details are still fuzzy. Yet, I fully trust that God will reveal the details in HIS perfect timing and when He knows I am ready because HE knows what and when is best.
NOT ME --> Another lesson I have had to learn the hard way.
As a stubborn, independent woman, that is one tough pill to swallow.
I want what I want, and I want it right now.
HA 🤣
At the moment, I will be satisfied with what God has called me to do. I will graciously work on stopping the search for more and instead focus on what is right in front of me. He invites me to participate in the daily divine opportunities to help build His kingdom, and He extends the same invitation to you.
I have recently been hit with the realization that I am guilty of overcomplicating the answer to "what is my purpose" because it's as simple as:
1, 2, 3
As born-again believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we know the answer because:
SCRIPTURE MAKES OUR PURPOSE CLEAR!
It's easy to see if we open our eyes to see it!
We (I) make it complicated because we underestimate or overestimate our God-given potential. We think we aren't good enough to do what He has called us to do. Or the opposite, we think we are better than the mundane tasks He has called us to do, and we are always busy chasing bigger and "better" opportunities. What if God wants to use you in simplistic ways, not grand ways? Will you be content with your purpose? Your God-given purpose?
We all have the same purpose, aka mission.
It's written plainly for us to capture and see:
The Great Commission
But we ask...
ME: OK, God, WHERE am I going?
GOD: Right where I have you.
ME: Wait, what? This is it? There has to be more. You said GO... where are we going? When are we going? How will we get there? Like what job, what ministry do you want me to work at? Do you want me at a Church? In prison ministry? Do you want me to create Bible Studies? Write books? Be a pastor? Public speaking?
Where are you going? Cause I want to go to!
GOD: Right. Where. I. Have. You.
*(till He calls you to the next thing IF he does... which is another topic).
How we live out our purpose is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Sometimes, the "where" and the "how" will change, but the mission and purpose never will.
Mission: GO and MAKE disciples!
How: It's as simple as 1, 2, 3.
1. Praise
2. Proclaim
3. Promote
= purpose aka mission
How we live it out
= potential
That is it.
Never more, never less.
That is all He asks us to do.
Wherever we go, whatever we do!
Praise
Proclaim
Promote
We say YES to God, we become new creations, and then we get the privilege of being an ambassador for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Our purpose/mission as believers is to go and make disciples by praising, proclaiming, and promoting WHO God is by sharing God's goodness, love, mercy, grace, and glory.
I live out my purpose by writing. Writing is a newfound passion of mine. It is what I do for work and how I worship and give God glory. It is how I praise, proclaim, and promote Jesus Christ daily.
The 'how' will look different for everyone based on the spiritual gifts and talents the Author of our life gives us. We see this throughout scripture, just in different ways.
Different, the way God intended us to be.
And we can do that starting today.
You, my dear child of God and friend, are useable RIGHT NOW to do all three for God with everyone you come in contact with:
As a mother
As a wife
As a public school teacher
As a nurse
As a factory worker
As a bank teller
As a police officer
At the grocery store
At the Doctors office
Out walking the streets
Talking to stranger
Washing dishes
Doing laundry
Reading a bedtime story to your kids
This list is endless.
We don't have to wait to go anywhere because God can use us anywhere because God is everywhere with us. The ways God wants to use you on any given day are endless. But you must stay connected to the Spirit and focus on looking for the divine opportunities He gives you daily to praise, proclaim, and promote His Name. Learn to take delight in the Lord, and He will show you how He wants you to live this out.
When you fully trust in God, He will unlock desires in your heart that you didn’t even know were there. He will lead you to your potential, show you how to live out your purpose, and stretch you into what He has called YOU to do.
No matter what you do, always do it for the Glory of God.
Soar into scripture, seek the potential God has for you, seek the reason for the season, and then go and live out your purpose. But never stop praising, proclaiming, and promoting Him along the way.
The seasons we go through in life are a grand design by our Creator. They cultivate testimonies and messages we can later use to share about God in ways someone else can relate to or is inspired by. YOUR STORY MATTERS!
No story or season is ever a mistake. He never misses a beat, but we could miss what God is doing by not being satisfied with the season and purpose He has already called us to be responsible for. This season is important, too. This season has a Kingdom impact, too, if I am living out my purpose and potential. You can make a Kingdom impact, too.
Remember this at the end of your time, when you meet our Glorious Father and Author of your story face to face, He is going to say:
A servant dedicated to praising, proclaiming, and promoting the name of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, with everyone we come in contact with.
He isn't expecting perfection, but He is expecting effort.
Pray with me, and know if you are reading this, know I have already been praying for you:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the simplicity of what you call me to do. Thank you for my God-given purpose. Lord, I pray as I walk through this life with You, you will use me as you see fit. May my heart be humble so I can continue to praise, proclaim, and promote your Glory. May others see you when they look at me. I want my life to reflect your love, grace, mercy, and goodness. May Your Will be done.
Thank you, Lord, for going before me. Lord, use my story for your glory.
P.S.
This blog has recently inspired me to change my life mission and why I write.
This has also birthed something new I can't wait to start sharing with you!
Click the picture for a sneak peek of what's to come:
Thank you for this 🤗❤️🙏