Discovering Your Purpose
My pastor once said, “Your purpose is not something you decide, it is something you discover.” There was a plan for your life before you were created. If your purpose in life existed before you did, you cannot decide it, you can only discover it. Discovery comes by the revelation of God. In this time of getting to know God better I really encourage you to seek him about your purpose. Ask him to reveal your purpose to you. Luke 8:17 says, “There is nothing hidden that won’t be revealed.” God already knows what he has set you apart for, it is time for you to know as well.
Discovering my purpose gave me such freedom. When you don’t know your purpose it is easy to be confused about where God is leading you in your life. Lack of knowledge regarding your purpose is often equal to having no direction. When we have no direction or guidance in life we will make decisions that are not in our best interests. To be Set Apart for God’s use you need to know what he is using you for. All the details may not be abundantly clear at the beginning, but God will give you just enough information to follow him. We cannot be intentional about following God if we can’t see the direction he is leading in; that is why revelation of your purpose is imperative to your Christian walk.
Oftentimes your purpose is linked to your passion. It’s that thing that you have been doing in some way since you were little. For example, my mentor states that when she was little she would always play house with her siblings. She would spend so much time setting up her imaginary house that by the time she was finished decorating it nobody wanted to play anymore. Well when she grew up she became an interior designer. Let me be clear that God has called her to do many different things in her life so it is not limited to decorating, but this is an example.
Another clue to discovering your purpose is to look and see where God uses you and how he uses you. Sometimes we stumble into our purpose accidentally. We do things that we never knew we had an interest in and it becomes clear the moment we start doing it that it is what we were supposed to be doing all along. No matter how you discover your purpose the most important part is that you know. When you feel that God has revealed your purpose to you ask him for confirmation. James 1:5 states, “If any of you lack wisdom let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without finding fault.” God lives to answer your prayers so if you are unsure he will confirm as many times as necessary for you to understand.
When you discover what your purpose is and what it isn’t you don’t waste time with things or people that don’t further it. God created you with a great purpose in mind and set you apart from everyone else specifically for that. No one can do exactly what God created you for. Look for the purpose in relationships (all types), careers, and life. Don’t be afraid to Ask God why he put you in a particular place or situation. Always know why you’re doing what you’re doing. God doesn’t do things for no reason and you shouldn’t either.