Stronger Purpose: No Need to Squirm
by Mike Killebrew
Purpose is an intimidating word.
It’s intimidating because purpose is so important. We all know that discovering and pursuing purpose is one of the most important and rewarding parts of life. A powerful question for someone to ask themselves is, “Why am I here?” I suspect that since the beginning of creation, men and women have asked that question. It’s not only a practical question for planning out the short term and long-term future, but also a spiritual question. Seriously, what could be more important than figuring out why God made you or how He has plans to specifically use you?
Having spent many years as a student pastor and now continuing to serve as a volunteer with teenagers, I have watched many a high school student squirm with the question, “What’s the plan after you graduate?” Perhaps that question could even be translated as “What do you want to do with your life?” or “Have you figured out your purpose yet?” As my own children have started to approach that age where they get that question, I’ve witnessed them squirm, because they just don’t know yet. It can be an intimidating question. I’ve watched it unfold countless times. It’s a natural conversation starter with someone who is at that stage in life, so it gets asked with frequency and based on the many ways I’ve seen it answered or not answered, it’s intimidating.
And it’s not just at that stage in life; as adults we search for meaning and purpose in our careers, relationships, community, through our service at church and in a variety of other ways. Something deep inside tells us that we were made for something significant, and we were. It is appropriate to feel that. God wrote that innate understanding into each of us, plans full of goodness and hope for us all.
It's understandable to feel intimidated by the concept of purpose. Society often puts undue pressure on individuals to have their lives completely figured out. However, it's important to remember that discovering purpose is a lifelong journey, and it's not something that can be rushed or forced.
Of course, the truth is that the foundation of our purpose is who we are in Christ. We all have identity that gives us some purpose that we continually build on.
God created each one of us with intentionality. In Psalm 139 we see some powerful language that describes just how well the Lord knows each of us. “For you created my inmost being: you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (v. 13). Then later in verse 16 David writes, “…all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
God has given each of us unique purpose. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Eph. 2:10, NLT).
God has assigned each of us a specific mission. Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 tells us all to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
In God’s Word we see countless stories of imperfect, ordinary people who were used in significant ways to advance the Kingdom of God. When we stand tall in our God-gifted identity, our purpose is ignited.
One biblical figure that can serve as an inspiration for discovering one's purpose is Joseph from the book of Genesis. Joseph had a difficult journey in discovering his purpose, but through time, life’s trials and hardships, it became clearer.
Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob, was favored by his father and given a coat of many colors. This caused jealousy among his brothers, and they ultimately sold him into slavery. Despite this, Joseph remained faithful to God and was able to rise to a position of power in Egypt, where he was able to use his God-given gifts and abilities to save his family and many others during a time of famine.
Joseph's brothers' jealousy and betrayal led him to be sold into slavery, but this ultimately led him to Egypt, where he was able to use his gifts and abilities to save many lives. It was 22 years after his brothers sold him as a slave that he fully realized how the Lord was using him. I love how he exclaimed to his brothers, when revealing his identity to them, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you” (Gen. 45:5). Joseph, in this moment, realized his purpose, and later in verse 8, further shared, “So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh - the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt” (NLT). Notice what he left out: “hated by you,” “sold as a slave,” “falsely accused,” “wrongly imprisoned” and “forgotten in prison.” He was a man living with purpose now and those trials were details that didn’t matter. He was giving God credit for His goodness.
Another important aspect of Joseph's story is that God's purpose for his life was not immediately clear. Joseph likely didn't know, for years, that his purpose was to save his family and many others during a time of famine. It's important to remember that discovering one's purpose is a lifelong journey and that it may not always be clear or easy. But with faith and trust in God's presence, one can uncover purpose.
It is also important to note that a more defined purpose may unfold as growth and change happens in a person. It's okay if you don't have it all figured out right now. As you continue to learn and grow, your purpose may become clearer.
Discovering purpose can be intimidating, but it's an important and rewarding journey. Trust that God will reveal His plans for your life in due time. And remember, it's okay if you don't have it all figured out. God does.
