Realizing Your Purpose in Life - The Crosswalk Devotional - February 18
Realizing Your Purpose in Life
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“‘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’” – Jeremiah 29:11
Recently, my sister brought up the beautiful truth that reading books as a teen helped her to discover there was a greater purpose to her life. Similar as to how Frodo and Sam defeated Sauron by throwing the ring into Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings, God has great plans for our lives.
He created us to do great things for Him and His Kingdom.
Every single person was created to love God, bring Him glory, and praise Him. Nobody was created by accident, nor is anyone excluded from God’s beautiful plans. If you are still alive and breathing on this earth, God still has plans for your life. Even if these plans aren’t grand, like traveling across the world to help others come to know Him through missionary work, He still calls you to do great things.
All of us are commanded to take the Gospel to all people (Matthew 28:18-20). Even if we cannot go overseas to do this, we can still bring God glory by sharing the Gospel with those around us. In everything, God has a purpose and He can use us to do great things. We might mess up, but God will still use all these things for His glory. No matter how many mistakes we make, God can still bring purpose out of it.
As human beings, created in the image of God, we are called to serve Him. In truth, this is the greatest blessing by far. By knowing this, understanding it, and fully realizing it, we will see that our purpose in life is to love, obey, and serve God. For all people who truly love and know God, we understand that serving God is the greatest purpose in our life.
Each of us has our own unique purpose, yet this purpose is ultimately found in serving God. There are many ways to serve God, but sometimes it can be hard to figure out where He wants you to serve. When you are in doubt, turn to Him in prayer. Ask for His guidance and His direction. He will be able to direct your steps and lead you to where He wants you to be.
This will require trust. As a follower of God, you probably already have great trust in Him, yet it is still common to struggle at times. Choose to fully trust in Him and allow His purpose for your life to shine brightly. Don’t hinder its light by trying to do things on your own or seeking your purpose outside of God. If you do this, it will only cause you pain and impair your walk with Him.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible says, “‘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’” (Jeremiah 29:11). As the Lord tells us in this passage, He knows the plans He has for us, and these plans will prosper us, give us hope, and give us a future. These plans will never harm us or hurt us. Since we know this to be true, we need to trust Him.
God’s plans for our lives are far greater than anything we could ever imagine. His purpose for our lives will be realized in His divine plans. None of us will leave this earth until we have completed our purpose. Therefore, don’t grow worried if you are afraid you are not fulfilling your purpose. Know that if you are following God and loving Him, then you are fulfilling your purpose and the plans He has for your life.
Continue to walk in accordance with His truth and allow Him to guide your steps. No matter where God leads you, it will be beautiful.
Have you tried to realize your purpose in life outside of God? What did this show you? Our purpose in life is found in God. Is this something that you have already known? If not, how can you accept it today? God has great plans for your life. How can you start living in these plans today?
“Dear God, thank You for showing me my purpose in life. I have often tried to find my purpose in other things, but now I know it is found in You. Please forgive me for trying to find my purpose in the world and avoiding Your plans for my life. I’m choosing to follow You faithfully today. I praise You, God, for Your goodness and love. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.”
Further Reading:
Psalm 57:2
Ephesians 2:10
John 10:10
Photo Credit: ©Sparrowstock
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