How to Discover Your Purpose

Is there really more to life than just living day to day? Maybe you have wondered if there really is a purpose to life, and if there is, what is it? When you say yes to Jesus, suddenly your life has purpose and meaning beyond the mundane and ordinary. Knowing what your purpose is and walking in it is critical to walking in the full, and abundant life Jesus has planned for you. So how do you discover your purpose?

Here are three truths to unlock the full life God has for you...

Your purpose is GOOD

Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he has planned for us long ago.” Get this: out of everything God created, you are his masterpiece. You are God’s intentional, beloved creation, made new in Jesus. An artist doesn’t create a masterpiece and then cover it up and lose it in the attic. An artist creates a masterpiece and wants to share it’s beauty with everyone. You are that masterpiece, made on purpose for a purpose. Your life is not accidental, random or forgotten. And this verse goes on to tell us that part of this purpose is to do the good things God planned for us. God has a good plan for your life, and this life is full of good things for us to do and share with others. As you seek to discover what that purpose is, remember: God has an intentional, purposeful and good plan for your life.

Your purpose is GO

So what is your purpose? How do you discover it? It may be a little simpler than you think. Jesus sets the perfect example of how we can live our life on purpose. Matthew 20:28 says “Jesus came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus' purpose, at its simplest form, was to serve and to give. So as we journey to discover our own unique purpose in life, the best place to start would be following Jesus’s example to serve and give. You don’t need to wait for writing in the sky or a divine voice from heaven; Jesus has already commissioned us to GO. Jesus gives us this charge in Matthew 28:18-19 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go...” So who can you serve today? How can you practically live to give today instead of living to get? Where can you go out of your way to do something for someone else?

Your purpose is GIFTED

Not only does God have a good, going plan for your life, but he has also equipped you with special gifts to use as you live out your purpose. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, the scripture says, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” God has equipped each of us with a spiritual gift to serve each other. A spiritual gift is simply a special ability or talent given to a follower of Jesus. This chapter goes on to describe spiritual gifts like a human body that has many parts. The body needs the eyes and the lungs and the hands and the ears to function; likewise, we need all of our unique gifts and passions to fulfill God’s mission on the earth. Our gifts aren’t meant to be compared or compete with one another. Our gifts are meant to serve and help each other. As you continue to go, serve and give, you’ll begin to notice areas you enjoy and excel in more than others - these are spiritual gifts! You are gifted to live out your purpose.