Hearing the words “purpose in life” brings a plethora of thoughts and responses.
Almost everyone I have ever met will ask me the following question at one time or another: “What is my purpose?” or “What should I do with my life?” They may be talking about their careers, marriage, parenting, finances or an unlimited number of topics.
The number of books, podcasts and magazine articles addressing how to find purpose in life are also unlimited. Because of that, you may be asking me why I decided to write another article on that topic. I believe the Lord has given me a unique way to address our purpose in life.
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First, we must examine why the Lord often addresses purpose in His Word. Then we must see how obedience and purpose must work together. There is unlimited potential for us when we work, walk and live in God’s purpose for us.
The Bible gives us over 8,000 promises when we become a follower of Jesus Christ. We must start with the words Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:11 (NLT), “Because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and makes everything work out according to His plan.” This passage tells us God had and continues to have a plan and purpose for our life. Living in our purpose brings forth God’s promises.
This applies to every area of our life as followers of Jesus Christ. Purpose brings hope, joy, peace and helps us to live the abundant life Jesus promised us in John 10:10. We must understand that purpose applies to our entire life, from our youth to the end of our life on earth.
The other day I was having coffee with a friend who told me he was beginning to wonder what his purpose is as he ages. That reminded me of Abraham at the age of 99 when God told him he would be blessed with a child, and through that child, he would become the father of many nations. Abraham’s wife, Sarah, was 91 years old, and he was 100 when their son, Isaac, was born.
That should bring hope and purpose into the lives of our senior citizens who are followers of Christ. Obviously, we should not expect to start a family when we get to our later years. But we must believe that our God can bring purpose to everyone, regardless of their age. As we think about our purpose in life, we will better understand how to find or stay the course of God’s purpose for us, whether young, middle-aged or senior citizens.
We must never forget that the goal of Satan is to destroy our purpose. He will come to attack followers of Jesus Christ who are seeking or living in their purpose. Therefore, we must never forget 1 John 4:4b (NIV), “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” God promised His followers that He had a plan for them. We read that in Jeremiah. 29:11 (NLT): “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'”
My goal in this article is for those who are seeking their purpose to know that the Lord can reveal it to them today. To those who know their purpose, may the Lord bless you and keep you.
Now get ready to live and walk in God’s purpose for your life.
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David Friend is the author of several books on Christian living and pursuing a quality life. He is a teacher, pastor, business owner, podcaster and veteran.
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