“What is my purpose in life?” is one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves and one most people struggle to
find answers to. Discovering and fulfilling your purpose will help give meaning to your existence; you can go about each day with an extra spring in your step, knowing that you’re living a fulfiling life based on God’s plan for you.
So, how can we define life purpose?
I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness – 2Timothy 4:7-8
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
What is purpose?
According to the dictionary, the purpose of something is the reason for which it is made. For example, the purpose of a hammer, as its maker intended, includes driving nail into wood. It would perform optimally when used for that and not for an unintended purpose, like cutting wood. You are not an experiment or accident, God made you for a purpose and knowing that purpose will give you:·
An identity: Knowing your identity would help you become more of yourself, and you’ll live your life to its full potential.·
Focus: When you know your life purpose, you can focus on it and channel your time, energy, and resources into accomplishing it.·
Fulfilment: Finding your purpose brings achievement and rest to your life. And in the end, you can boldly declare like Paul: “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness” (2Timothy 4:7-8). How awesome is that?
Finding and living your purpose
The first step to finding your purpose as a Christian is acknowledging that is not by your own strength or knowledge. You need God to reveal it to you and His grace to support you as you live your purpose. Grace is the unmerited favour of God, and God works purpose and grace together to give your life a meaning. Ask Him in prayer and meditation to reveal your life purpose and He will.
Obedience is another key factor. Your purpose consists of your part and God’s part. And since He came up with the plan, rest assured the resources to carry it out are already covered. Your part is to obey Him. “You were chosen according to the purpose of God the Father and were made a holy people by His Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be purified by His blood.” (1Peter 1:2)
Fulfilling your purpose also takes patience, as it likely won’t happen overnight. Take Joseph’s story for example. In order to become one of the most important men in the world, and ultimately save his family and countless others from starvation, he had to go through a 13-year journey from the pit to prison, then to the palace (Genesis 37-41). He remained faithful and was able to accomplish God’s plan for his life in a glorious way.
Like Joseph, during the course of fulfilling your purpose, you will be tested. You will have oppositions and will receive attacks from the enemy. The Devil doesn’t want to see you fulfilled and will try to kill your purpose (John 10:10). Keep your focus on God as He, having begun a good work in you, is more than able to complete it (Philippians 1:6).
Without a vision or purpose in life, you will lose your way, and a man on the journey to nowhere is a heartbreaking sight. Did you make a wrong decision and have lost your way in life? Don’t give up and live in regret; ask God for forgiveness and guidance and He will restore you.
God has never created anyone to fail. We were all made for success and fulfilling our life purpose is the true measure of success. Don’t spend your entire life helping others fulfil their purpose to the detriment of yours. It’s time to take charge and become the person you were made to be!
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