There’s no doubt that over the course of your life you’ve tried many things to give your life purpose. Maybe you’ve tried to define it through your career or your family.
More than likely though, you’re still not sure what your purpose is or where to find it.
What gives a life purpose? Where do you find something so deeply inspiring that it propels you forward and gives you meaning all the days of your life?
Where you won’t find purpose
Most people, Christians included, are guilty of looking to the world for purpose and meaning. Sometimes consciously, other times not.
We try to find meaning in our role as a father or mother, hoping that loving our children will give us purpose. We look to our careers to define who we are, thinking we can earn our way to meaning. We try to be good people and think that because we aren’t as bad as someone else we can be defined as someone worthy of God’s love.
Those things aren’t necessarily bad, but thinking they can give your life meaning and purpose is simply a fallacy.
But one thing is certain: you will not find purpose in anything of this world. Everything and everyone on earth is temporary and passing. Purpose, the kind that really gives your life meaning, cannot be propped up on the ephemeral.
Instead, it is found in placing your identity in something lasting. Something eternal.
Where you will find purpose
If placing our identity and looking for meaning in this world will leave you empty, then where do you look? Well, up.
The Bible tells us God created us. In that simple statement is a complex truth. When it comes to art, the artist defines the purpose of the creation. They set out with some meaning in mind and then shape their work to evoke that meaning.
It’s no different with you and me. God created us. He shaped us our mother’s womb. At this point, it’s very easy to make the mistake of asking why. Why did He create me? Instead, meditate on the truth and reality of the fact that you were created by God.
W. Phillip Keller, in his magnificent work A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, says it this way,
“To think that God in Christ is deeply concerned about me as a particular person immediately gives great purpose and enormous meaning to my short sojourn upon this planet.”
It is this deep and profound truth alone, that God is deeply concerned about you in particular, that can give your life purpose. In that revelation is more than enough to give your life meaning and consequence. Don’t make the mistake of skipping over it and moving on.
Give it thought. Pray over it.
Purpose through existence
Your existence alone is testament to your purpose. That you exist means God willed you to. It means you were created with a purpose and for a purpose.
If you can come to a place where that rings true, you will find purpose. You will find a well of living water than can be drawn from time and time again. When your heart is parched, there it will find satisfaction. In times of sorrow, it can steer you to joy once again.
Your existence is testament to your purpose.
I want you to do two things:
- Click here to tweet “My existence is testament to my purpose.”
- Leave a comment answering this question: What does it mean to you to know that God cares about you as a particular person?
Photo courtesy: Andrew Mangum (Creative Commons)
