Isn’t it interesting how people question their purpose? It’s what makes us human and separates us from the rest of creation. And everyone wrestles with this question, not just followers of Christ. God puts the desire to know our purpose in our hearts and our minds because He has the answer. He knew us before we were born, and every moment of our life was laid out before even one day passed (Psalm 139:16). Jeremiah 29:11-13 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” God is waiting and listening for us simply to ask Him about our purpose.
We have to realize, however, that our purpose is not about what we want out of life or about our preconceived ideas of what we thought life would or should be. In fact, in order to fulfill our purpose, we may have to endure hard times. Think about Joseph’s story (Genesis 37, 39-41). Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. But God blessed him, and Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household. After refusing to sleep with his master’s wife, she accused him of rape, and he was thrown into jail. In jail, Joseph had the opportunity to interpret dreams. This God-given gift allowed him to be remembered by one of the prisoners when Pharaoh had dreams that troubled him. By interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, God gave him favor in Pharaoh’s eyes. Pharaoh ultimately made him the leader of Egypt. God’s purpose for Joseph was leadership, but Joseph had to endure trials in order to become an effective leader. However, throughout the hard times, Joseph kept his eyes on God. He resisted temptation. He used his God-given gifts to bless others. He honored and trusted God at all times. We have to do the same. Like P. Wayde spoke about in his sermon, we have to take leaps of faith, trusting that God knows what He is doing. If we experience times of trouble, we have to make the best of them and rest in the fact that God must be training us for something big.
Looking back, I’m sure Joseph saw how God moved in his life, and how the decisions to trust God placed him in the position to fulfill his purpose. We can too. I cannot write down my specific purpose on a piece of paper. However, like Joseph, I can look back through time and see God moving in my life. I can see how I have been presented with choices, and by the choices that I have made, God has used me. I can rest in knowing that I am fulfilling God’s purpose for me, no matter what it is. I ask God to lead me in the way He wants me to go. I ask Him to present opportunities for me to honor Him. The Bible helps me know whether I am abiding by God’s ways, and the Holy Spirit tells me if I am doing something wrong.
If you have been asking God to reveal His purpose for your life, but have not received a clear answer, please know that God hears your prayers and He will answer them. You have begun to fulfill your purpose by simply asking God and recognizing that He alone has the answer. Follow His direction by reading the Bible and making decisions that are according to His ways. God will open doors. It is up to us to decide to walk through them.
I invite others to comment on how God has used them to fulfill His purpose as a way to encourage one another. Of course, general comments are welcome as well.
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