If you’re reading this, you were created for a purpose. Long before you were ever conceived, God had a unique, specific purpose that He wanted you to fulfill. You didn’t know it at the time, in fact, your parents didn’t even know it at the time. But somewhere in the Heavens, God was looking for someone to do exactly what He wanted you to do. That’s why he set the wheels into motion, caused your parents to meet one another, and you were born. No matter what type of circumstances surrounded your birth, you were certainly not an accident. No, you were made on purpose and for a purpose.
There are some aspects of purpose that are relatively broad. For instance, God created all of humanity to praise and worship Him. His Word is filled with passages that point to the fact that every part of creation was designed to bring glory to the Creator. That is certainly part of your purpose, but that is part of everyone’s purpose. Additionally, we know that God has called His people to love one another. He has called us to perform good works. Those points are made throughout Scripture, and they speak to the general purposes that God has for all of His people.
One key aspect of being part of members of the Church, God’s entire body of believers, is found in taking part in those general purposes that apply to everyone. However, one of the most important aspects of being a true disciple of Christ is based on finding your individual purpose. Knowing why you’ve been placed here is not only an important part of discovering your own self-worth, but it also plays a vital role in discovering your position in the Kingdom.
Today, if you’re not sure where to start, you are in the right place. We’re going to delve into God’s Word so we can learn more about finding your purpose.
The Foundation of Purpose
John 15:4-5 (NIV)
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Everyone, whether they’re Christians or not, want to find their purpose in life. While Christians may view the pursuit of purpose through the lens of God’s design and His Kingdom, everyone wants to know what they’ve been placed on this earth for. Ironically, even the people who doubt the existence of a Creator want to know what they have been created for. The desire for purpose isn’t unique to believers. However, the way that we view our purpose is different.
We often look for the meaning of life in our careers, our communities, our cultures, and our relationships with others. However, our true purpose is based on our relationship with Christ. Nothing else can define us.
Before you can truly dive into discovering the details of your purpose, it’s important that you make sure that you are as connected to God as you possibly can be. In the passage we just read from Saint John’s Gospel, Christ spoke of how we are the branches and He is the vine. In a vineyard, branches are responsible for bearing fruit. Doing so is their purpose. However, if a branch is cut off from the vine, there is no life flowing to it, and it’s purpose cannot be fulfilled.
Make sure that you’re spending time every day with God through the study of His Word, prayer, connection with other believers, fasting, and worship. When you take those steps, you can be better connected to Him so you can discover and carry out your purpose.
Individual Purpose
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Book of Acts is one of the most exciting books of the Bible. That’s not to say that every part of the Bible isn’t exciting, but where we find ourselves today is a direct result of the events that took place in the Book of Acts. The arrival of the Holy Spirit which is recorded in the second chapter of this book launched the New Testament Church, which each of us are vital parts of today.
Acts 2 contains the story of the Day of Pentecost, the fruition of the promise that we just read in Acts 1:8. In the form of tongues of fire, the Holy Spirit rested on each of the people who had gathered in the upper room to pray, seek God’s face, and wait for their purpose to be revealed to them. What did it mean when the Holy Spirit rested on each believer individually? It meant that God was commissioning each of them individually to fulfill a purpose that He had for them.
The disciples who had gathered in the upper room on the first Day of Pentecost had committed themselves to seeking God, waiting for Him, and then carrying out whatever He told them to do. That’s why the Church got off to the start that it got off to.
One of the most important parts of finding your individual purpose is found in waiting. The men and women who had gathered on the first Day of Pentecost had no assurance of when they were going to receive the details of their purpose. But they waited in prayer and worship until it came to them. We must do the same thing. When God sees us being committed to discovering His purpose for our lives, He will always answer in His perfect timing.
Purpose Multiplied
John 15:16 (NIV)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last-and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of finding your divine purpose in life is seeing it multiply. This is done when we see the fruits of our purpose working in the lives of other people. You see, God’s purpose for your life will never involve blessing you alone. Instead, His purpose for you, which is uniquely yours, will always result in others being blessed.
Take note of what Christ said at the beginning of the verse we just read. We didn’t choose Him. Instead, He chose us. He chose us because He knew that we would be capable of carrying out the purpose that He has for us. He chose us because He knew that we would “bear fruit.”
If you feel like you may have discovered your purpose, but you aren’t quite sure, evaluate what you’re doing to see if what you view as purpose is bringing blessings into the lives of others. If it is, you’re on the right track. If it’s not, you may be pointed in the right direction, but you can ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can be a blessing to others. When purpose is truly discovered, purpose is multiplied.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the fact that I have a purpose. Help me to discover why I’m here so I can do exactly what You want me to do. I know that You chose me and You have a plan for my life. In Christ’s name I ask these things, Amen.