What is My Life’s Purpose?

This week I’ve been pondering purpose. I have a deeply rooted belief that each one of us has a specific God-given purpose. Now, this doesn’t mean we each pursue or live out our God-given purpose, but I’m convinced we have one. Sometimes a message needs to be delivered over and over because we either don’t understand it, we don’t believe it, we don’t implement it, or we need to be encouraged repeatedly to keep persevering. I don’t know where you are in this spectrum, but I know the message is important, and you will personally know why you need to hear this message.

All week long, the same inspirational message keeps revealing itself to me.

You only have one choice: to live the purpose of God.

At the beginning of this week early in the morning before the sun came up this message was revealed to me.

Sometimes we can ponder things far too long. We wonder what direction we are to go, what decisions we should make, how we are to do that, when, where, who, and why. We can become confused or worse paralyzed. Then become discouraged and depressed.

This, my friends, is not God’s desire for us. We do not serve a God who confuses or stifles us. That, would be our enemy. God is not our enemy.

God has a purpose for us to live. He tells us so. Over and over in the Bible God reveals purpose.

True Story Ahead

I can look back at my own life and see specific purposes for each season of my life. AND there are a couple of threads woven throughout my life that I’ve discovered are my overarching purpose for God.

Here is my God-given purpose:

• I’m a mom! I’ve been blessed by God Himself with three amazing children who I get to be mom to. This will never change. It is my purpose that God has given me to do for Him forever for these children.
• I’m a wife. I’ve been given the purpose of marriage.
• I’m an encourager. I’ve been given the purpose of encouragement.
• I’m a trustworthy envoy. I’ve been given the purpose of being one of God’s trustworthy messengers to bring inspiration and refreshment.

This is my one choice: to live this purpose of God.

I believe not only will God not abandon my purpose, but He will not let me abandon it either.

The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. LORD, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands. ~ Psalms 138:8

Like David, I plead with the LORD to not abandon the work He’s given me to do for Him. I plead with Him that He will help me complete my purpose. I plead with Him to keep encouraging me. Encouragers need encouragement. To inspire me, I need inspiration. I plead with the LORD to keep me on the path He’s chosen for me. Then it’s my job to stay the course. It’s not just God’s work, it’s my work too. It’s not just God’s purpose, it’s my purpose too. I fully accept my purpose. Because of this, everything I do, every decision I make needs to be in alignment to live my purpose.

God has also given me talents specifically for me to live this purpose. I’ve pursued discovering my talents. I’ve invested in the development of my talents. It’s a life-long development. I have not completed the development of who I am nor have I completed my work of God.

As long as I’m still breathing, I’m to give my life to the purpose of God. This is my only choice.

Finding Your Purpose

Okay, now I know it takes time to learn our purpose, but in each season of our life, God will direct us. He’s in the business of transforming, developing, and helping His people. He won’t stop if we don’t stop.

Are you feeling lost, confused, discouraged, or paralyzed?

Do you ever ask yourself these questions:

• Why was I born?
• What am I good at?
• What am I doing?
• Why am I doing what I’m doing?
• Should I be doing that?
• Should I be doing something else?
• How come I feel uninterested in so many things?
• What is the meaning of my job, my hobby, my relationships?
• Should I be watching Netflix right now?

Friends, I’ve asked myself all these questions and more many times throughout my life. Here’s what I’ve come to understand. These questions in themselves have purpose. These are keys to unlocking doors and discovering new paths God wants us to journey through and down.

But we need to seek God first. Get on our knees and ask Him a big question:

If I only have one choice, to live the purpose of God, then what is that purpose?

We need to be determined to discover our purpose. Then we need to be determined to live our purpose.

My Purpose Journey

I’ve been determined to discover my purpose for decades.

Practically, here are some steps I’ve taken to determine my purpose:

• I’ve spent hundreds of hours with God Himself. I’ve been intentional about building this relationship. How can I know God’s purpose for my life if I don’t know God?
• I’ve sought out counseling, mentoring, and coaching. Yes, these are different.
• I’ve stopped talking and intentionally listened. You’d be amazed what you can hear when you shut up.
• I’ve taken numerous assessments to validate what I’m good at and what I’m not.

Why waste time trying to develop something I’m not good at? I choose to develop the talent God gave me. Assessments have helped me discover these. People have helped me discover these and develop these. God Himself has revealed to me what my purpose is. God Himself has helped me develop, and He Himself has determined my purpose.

My purpose journey has been challenging at times. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve had great success too. This week, there is a reason why God has me thinking purpose.

You only have one choice: to live the purpose of God.

I’ve been inspired by Erwin McManus lately. I’m currently listening the second time to his newest book, The Last Arrow. McManus challenges us that we only have one life to live. We don’t get a practice run at this one life. We only have now to live it.

If we only have one life to live, and we only have one choice, then we better discover the purpose of God.

My Challenge to You

Find your purpose of your life. Go on an intentional journey with God Himself to discover your purpose. Then once you discover it, live it.