Do You Know Your God-given Purpose?

black woman looking up


Are you just going through the motions of life? Does life seem to be dragging along and dragging you down with it? Perhaps the reason is that you don’t know or have lost sight of your God-given purpose.

We are created with an innate desire to live full and meaningful lives. I want my life to count. Don’t you? And guess what—Jesus does too (Jn 10:10)!

So, do you know what your God-given purpose is? What is your reason for living? If you are living only for yourself, it will be empty. Just ask rich and famous people if their wealth and fame have made them happy.

God created you with a purpose in mind.

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)

…All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Ps 139:16)

It’s vital that our purpose in life be God and other-centered. It also needs to be clear and strong. Otherwise, life will be empty. Knowing your God-given purpose will also help you to discipline yourself.

Do you know your God-given purpose?

Do you know what God’s plans are for you (at least in part), and are you motivated to do it? If not, why not? Perhaps you don’t:

  • Think that God would have a specific plan for you
  • Care to know God’s plan (this is a red flag)
  • Believe that what God has shown you is actually His plan
  • See how you will accomplish that plan
  • Believe that you can accomplish it
  • Believe that it’s worth doing

All of these reasons will stop you in your tracks of finding and completing God’s calling for you. However, for now I want to focus on the last point that it is worth doing.

If you don’t think something is worth the effort you won’t be motivated to take action. Let’s examine why it is worth knowing and pursuing God’s plan for your life.

1. God’s Plan is good

Since God is good, everything He does is good (Ps 119:68).

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jer 29:11)

2. His plans produce wonderful eternal fruit

The saving of a soul from hell, the spiritual growth of a believer—what could be more worthwhile than that?!

…I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. (Jn 15:16)

3. God is worthy

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Rev 4:11)

God deserves your obedience. You were made for Him! It is His just due.

4. Increases intimacy with God

God blesses obedience. Following His plan demonstrates your love for God and brings you into a closer relationship with your Savior.

5. Great rewards await the faithful in heaven (Phil 3:14)

Doing life God’s way is worth it!

My friend, the world tells us many different things about how to have a meaningful life. But a truly satisfying one can only be found in Jesus and living according to His specific plan for you!

Try to find out what your God-given purpose is. He will help you discover it. Trust Him to give you the faith, ability, know-how, courage—whatever you need—to accomplish His beautiful plan for your life. And if you already know what your purpose is, recommit and ask God to help you persevere. Just remember: He is the One who will accomplish it through you (Heb 13:21, Phil 2:12-13).

Next time I’ll discuss what our God-given purpose should look like.

Helpful Resource
What is God’s Purpose for Your Life and How to Find It

P.S. I have a burden to write a book called “On Mission Like Jesus.” It will include

  • How to find your specific God-given purpose
  • How Jesus accomplished the greatest mission ever given—what did He do when He encountered obstacles, was rejected? Did He ever feel discouraged?
  • Other Biblical examples of knowing and accomplishing their purpose.
  • Practical worksheets to help you

I would love to know if you would be interested in such a book. Could you please leave a comment below? Thank you!

Except where indicated all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible: New International Version®. NIV. ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

(NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.