Finding your purpose

Finding your purpose

Engrained in humanity is the desire to be known, to have purpose, and to be loved.
I have spent many hours in conversation with God asking how He might use me to serve Him, what He has planned for me, and how I can best use the talents He has given me to glorify Him. This is a contrast to a time in my life where instead of asking God what He wants, I told Him what I wanted. I no longer desire to peruse Jacqueline Harrill’s plans or goals, but only what the Lord has for me. He is a daddy in heaven who sovereign over all and only wants the best for His children.

We live in a culture that is fixated on finding contentment in the right career, perfect relationship , status and material items. I have friends who love the Lord, and still, are constantly frustrated in their jobs and relationships, feeling without purpose and that they were made for something more. They are right- they we were made for something more! Only, "something more" doesn't mean a job in ministry, a husband, a bigger apartment, a new hair style, an exotic vacation, or going on a mission trip. Something more means that we were not created for life on earth, but for a life of eternity. God has made it clear throughout His word that we have TWO purposes to live out on earth: To love Him, and to Love eachother. The amazing news of God is, we can do those 2 things despite our circumstances, thus we can all fulfill our purpose on a daily basis—hoo-ray! The book of Daniel is an awesome encouragement to all those trying to find their purpose. The primary themes in this book are God’s sovereignty, purpose in life, perseverance and God’s love.

God is all-knowing and in control for the worlds events. While government, careers and income dictate parts of our lives now, there will be a day when the Lord’s kingdom will replace the kingdoms of this world. God’s promise to over rule evil and spend eternity with Him allows us to rest in the truth that God is in control.

Daniel and his friends are relentless in serving God, despite their circumstances. Because they had a clear understanding of their purpose in life, they did not give into ungodly temptations. When we make trusting God our only purpose, every decision we face has clarity and significance despite our circumstances, job, or status. How awesome is that!? We all have purpose!

Daniel served God in a foreign and wicked land for 70 years by being persistent in prayer, modeling integrity, and using his gifts to bring God glory, rather than himself. Daniel understood the steadfast strength that comes in being filled with the confidence of God, rather than the confidence of our flesh. In order to fulfill our purposes, we need a strength that is relentless and perseverance. If we put our trust in God, than we too have access to the power and strength of being filled with the holy spirit.

Like us, Daniel was consistently pressured to worship ungodly things like money, people and status. Throughout these pressures he stayed faithful to His loving and sovereign daddy. As a result of his faith, Daniel was sentenced to be fed to a den of hungry lions. As a REAL result of his faith, God intervened and rescued Daniel by shutting the mouths of the lions (ch 6). Our God is an all-knowing, loving and sovereign God who we can trust to walk with us throughout the trials of life! When we put our faith in God, we will never suffer alone.

The book of Daniel is just one story of many that gives insight and wisdom into the purpose of life on earth in retrospect to life in eternity. There is so much FREEDOM in going throughout the day with an eternal perspective, knowing that we have two goals for each day: loving God and loving others. If you have done those 2 things, well done my friend, you are living a life of purpose!