What's my Purpose?

Have you ever thought about what it would have been like if you were born in a different time or in a different place? How different would you be, considering the environment and culture you would have been brought up in? What family or friends would you have? As I'm writing this article, I realize how much I take for granted and how assuming I can be. I am who I am,  influenced by and based on my life experiences, but my life still had a start point, a foundation determined by God. He determined the exact time and place for my start point and all the details that would eventually shape me. He chose our parents (our nationality), where our formative years would be and even the circumstances and conditions of our life and health. Whether we like it or not, it was according to God's plan and His will. I am reminded of the blind man at Siloam that we find in John chapter 9. He was born blind, just as God planned, for the purpose of bringing glory to Himself on a pre-designated day many years later? He didn't have a choice in the matter.

In the same way, God didn't just randomly place us here on the earth. He intentionally and purposefully planned out every detail of our lives even before we were conceived. King David explained this in Psalm 139:14-16."I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous and I know this very well. My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began."

God planned out all the details of our lives before we were even conceived. These included our physical and emotional characteristics. Part of this plan also included a path that He wants us to take. We can embark on this path without fear because he has also prepared and equipped us for that specific path. God told Jeremiah in chapter 1:4-5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before your were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." We may not be as significant a person as Jeremiah, but God still appointed a purpose for each one of us and equipped us with everything required to carry out that purpose. This means that all of our abilities are a gift from God. It could be a superior intellect or quick wit, a strong body, great athletic ability, an engaging personality or a great speaking ability.

This also means that our so-called liabilities are part of this same plan of God's. There is a reason why we may be shy and have a weak voice, being of small stature or have a disability. Our flaws, defects, or imperfections are part of God's unique and master plan for us. These strengths and limitations are gifts from God designated specifically for each one of us to be used for the work He has called us to do. For that reason, we shouldn't despise our gifts or desire someone else's giftedness. 

God has a unique plan for you and made you, one-of-a-kind, to complete that plan. But how will we know what our work or purpose is? The first step is to follow Him in obedience. This requirement begins with spending time in the Word, reading your Bible, time in prayer, seeking direction from God. A good start point is also doing what we feel gifted in or passionate about; the things that God has placed in us. We need to also ask ourselves, "do these gifts and talents benefit others around us and can they bring God glory? Can they be used as opportunities to build relationships and opportunities to share the Gospel?"

God has called each one of us to a great adventure. He uniquely created each one of us, placed us exactly where and when He wanted us to be, and gifted us specifically for His plan. Follow Him in obedience, step out in boldness and faith, and see what happens.

Pastor Bryan