Living in Your God-Given Purpose

Fuel Your Faith: Biblical Insights for Daily Living

Have you ever asked:

“What is God's will for my life?”

Maybe you're a new believer trying to understand what following Jesus actually means.

Maybe you've walked with Christ for decades and find yourself entering a new season.

Maybe you're choosing a career, raising children, approaching retirement, beginning again after a loss, wondering whether God is calling you somewhere new or simply trying to be faithful where you already are.

At almost every stage of life, the question eventually surfaces:

What does God want me to do with the life He has given me?

Sometimes we make God's will seem like a hidden destination we're desperately trying to discover. We become afraid that one wrong decision will cause us to miss His plan completely.

But Scripture gives us a different starting point.

“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”— Ephesians 2:10

You are God's handiwork.

Your personality, abilities, experiences, opportunities and even the seasons you've walked through can become part of how God works through your life.

Max Lucado encourages us to pay attention to some of those patterns:

“Look back over your life. What have you consistently done well? What have you loved to do? Stand at the intersection of your affections and successes and find your uniqueness.”— Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot

There is wisdom in looking at how God has uniquely shaped us.

Some people naturally teach.

Some encourage.

Some organize.

Some build.

Some create.

Some listen.

Some lead.

Some serve quietly behind the scenes.

Some care deeply for people who are hurting.

Some solve problems.

Some communicate truth in ways others understand.

Your gifts may look ordinary to you precisely because they come naturally to you.

But ordinary gifts surrendered to an extraordinary God can have eternal impact.

A Truth to Hold Onto

God's will isn't only about finding the right place. It is about becoming the right kind of person wherever God places you.

Before we become consumed with What should I do?, Scripture continually brings us back to Who am I becoming?

Are you becoming more loving?

More patient?

More generous?

More forgiving?

More courageous?

More faithful?

More like Jesus?

You don't have to discover some mysterious calling before you can begin living God's will.

You can obey Him today.

You can love the person in front of you.

You can forgive.

You can serve.

You can tell the truth.

You can encourage someone.

You can work with integrity.

You can share your faith.

You can use whatever God has placed in your hands for His glory.

And as you faithfully walk with Him, direction often becomes clearer along the way.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”— Proverbs 3:5–6

Your Purpose Is Bigger Than Your Position

We sometimes associate purpose with a job title, ministry position or major accomplishment.

But your calling to glorify God isn't limited to a career.

You can live God's purpose in a classroom.

At a construction site.

Behind a desk.

At home raising children.

In a hospital room.

On a ball field.

At the grocery store.

During retirement.

In a church pew.

At lunch with a friend.

Purpose isn't reserved for pastors, missionaries or people standing on stages.

Paul writes:

“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”— 1 Corinthians 10:31

That changes the question.

Instead of only asking:

“God, what big thing do You want me to do?”

We can begin asking:

“God, how can I glorify You with what You've already given me today?”

Lucado describes that kind of life this way:

“Use your uniqueness to make a big deal out of God every day of your life. You see, at the convergence of all three—what you do, why you do it, and where you do it—is the cure for the common life. Your sweet spot!”— Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot

That's an important distinction.

Our gifts aren't ultimately about making a big deal out of us. They are opportunities to make much of God.

For the New Believer

If you're new to following Jesus, you don't need to have your entire life figured out.

Start with what God has already made clear.

• Learn His Word.

• Pray.

• Become part of a community of believers.

• Serve.

• Love people.

• Obey what you understand.

• Ask God for wisdom.

Your relationship with Jesus isn't a puzzle you're going to ruin by making one imperfect decision. Walk with Him.

The Shepherd knows how to lead His sheep.

For the Seasoned Believer

Maybe you've followed Jesus for many years.

Don't assume that your most meaningful opportunities are behind you.

Seasons change.

Assignments change.

Our abilities change.

But there is no retirement from faithfully following Jesus.

• Perhaps God wants to use decades of experience to mentor someone younger.

• Perhaps a difficult chapter you survived can become encouragement for someone walking through it now.

• Perhaps the wisdom God has developed in you is exactly what another believer needs.

Moses was 80 when God called him to confront Pharaoh.

Caleb was 85 when he was still ready to take the mountain.

God is not limited by your age or season. As long as God gives us breath, there are still opportunities to glorify Him.

Digging Deeper This Week

Spend time with these passages as you consider how God has shaped you and how He might want to use you:

• Ephesians 2:8–10 — We are saved by grace and created for good works.

• Romans 12:3–8 — God gives different gifts to His people for faithful service.

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 — Whatever we do can be done for God's glory.

• Colossians 3:17, 23–24 — Serve Christ wholeheartedly in ordinary responsibilities.

• Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust God to direct your path.

• 1 Peter 4:10–11 — Use whatever gift you've received to serve others.

  
  

Weekly Challenge: Find the Intersection

Set aside some quiet time this week and answer four questions.

1. What has God placed in me?

What do you consistently do well? What gifts, abilities or qualities have others recognized in you?

2. What has God placed on my heart?

What needs move you? What kind of work brings you joy? Who do you naturally want to help?

3. Where has God placed me?

Look at your life right now—your family, workplace, school, church, neighborhood and relationships. Before searching for somewhere else to make a difference, consider the opportunities already around you.

4. How can this make much of God?

This may be the most important question.

Your gifts were never meant to stop with you.

Ask:

“God, how can I use who You've made me to be, what You've given me to do and where You've placed me to point someone toward You?”

Then do something.

Make the call.

Volunteer.

Encourage the person.

Mentor someone.

Create something.

Teach what you know.

Share your testimony.

Serve where there is a need.

You don't need to understand God's entire plan before taking your next faithful step.

Walk closely with Jesus. Use what He has given you. Serve where He has placed you. And let your life make much of Him.

A Prayer for the Week

Father, thank You for creating me intentionally and giving my life purpose. Help me understand that Your will is not something I have to fear missing, but a life of daily surrender and faithful obedience to You. Show me the gifts, experiences, passions and opportunities You have entrusted to me. Give me wisdom to recognize where You are leading and courage to take the next step when You make it clear. Keep me from comparing my calling with someone else's. Continue shaping me into the person You desire me to become. Use my life—my work, relationships, abilities, experiences and ordinary moments—to serve others and bring glory to Jesus. Wherever You place me, help me faithfully make much of You. In Jesus' name, Amen.