Find your purpose! It’s a catch phrase that we hear often. “Find out what you are here for, what is your life about, do something meaningful. What does God want me to do with my life? What is my purpose?” Lots of questions; and lots of pressure to get it right!
The thing is, until we know ourselves, how can we know our purpose? We often want our life’s meaning and purpose to appear in “neon lights” – “go this way”. We fear that if we miss seeing it we will go the wrong way, worrying, “have I heard wrong?” and therefore fear failing at life.
That thinking however sets us up for failure. We end up fearful of ever beginning new ventures, or even trying. We ask ourselves, “What if I get it wrong; what if what I think is God directing me, isn’t? What if I fail?” For we presume that there is only one way to do things, one career path, one course, one track that will cause us to fulfill the purpose and plan for which we were made.
It’s a presumption that leads to many faith failures, fears, and frustrating moments. People wait and wait, spending their lives perpetually in indecision instead of beginning; of living.
The bible says that God promises He will lead us; that He will be a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. That He will open doors that no one else can open, and close the one’s that are not the way for us. (Psalm 119:105)
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters,
“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths” (Psalm 23:1-3)
Yes, it is wisdom to wait on God, to seek His face, to ask, “What is my purpose?” “What and where do you want me to go and do today?”
He wants us to trust Him to do that and in trusting learn how not to be afraid to step out and do something! He will lead us, and if we are heading the wrong way He says He will let us know. God is the one who created each one of us; each with gifts, abilities and talents. Some may need to be stirred up a little, others encouraged and developed. Some are hidden and need to be revealed.
“God says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)
I’ve discovered that God wants us to explore, to stretch ourselves and to grow. In doing that we find what we like and what we don’t. We find out what we are gifted at, and what we are not. Too often the world and the system in which we live confines us. It in a sense it seeks to label us, and far too often we conform and limit what God wants to do in and through our lives.
But God says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
Today try doing something different; go somewhere you’ve never been. Ask God to reveal more of who you are. Stretch yourself. Because in seeking to discover, in challenging our mindsets and attempting new things, we’ll learn both that God is far bigger than we think and discover new things about ourselves; ultimately leading to us finding our purpose.
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