If You've Ever Wondered What Your Purpose Is, Read This.

You can never let people, circumstances, jobs or ministry define who you are as a person.
Everyone everywhere at some time or another will ask this question "What is my purpose?" God created us with a purpose, which is why we all feel that longing to find it. We all want to feel significant in this world and make a difference. Unfortunately we are born into sin, so to find our purpose we must find Christ first.

So if we are not raised in a Christian home where we can hear the gospel of Jesus Christ ministered to us, then we live our lives wandering through every phase searching for purpose, significance and
calling. For those of us that have received Jesus Christ as our Savior, once we make that decision we then go on this hunt for our purpose. Is God calling me to ministry? What career does God want for me? Whom does God want me to marry? The questions go on and on and on. Sometimes we can feel so lost and confused in this search, afraid to miss God and miss His purpose! Right?

Many times we may feel like we are in His will then when things are not going right, we wonder if we missed it. If you are in ministry, sometimes it doesn't go as planned and you may find yourself feeling like a failure or you lose your ministry. Or maybe you are going from job to job, relationship to relationship. Or perhaps you have children and things are not going right for them. Does all of this mean you are not fulfilling your purpose or that you are not in His will?

I cannot answer that for you. However, I can say that in your purpose you will go through different seasons. Some doors will shut so that others doors will open. There are different chapters in your life and you have to remain open to the work that God wants to do in your life. Sometimes it can feel very uncomfortable when God is pruning those unfruitful areas of your life so that you can begin to bear fruit in other areas of your life. You are not a failure; you have to allow God to do that inner work that He is doing in you so you can grow closer to Him.

You can never let people, circumstances, jobs or ministry define who you are as a person. God defines you through the work He does in you not the work you do for Him. He created you fearfully and wonderfully as His Word says!
Psalm 139:14 says, "I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder; marvelous are Your works, and You know me completely."

God does not create failures!

Praise His Name! If you stay open to Him and humble yourself, He will do a work in you that no one else can take credit for.
I know personally it can feel like you are dying inside trying to figure it all out, that dying is merely areas of your life that God wants you to give him control of ... Don't keep it, surrender all to Him!

Zechariah 4:6 says, "And he said to me: 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts.'"

We cannot do it in our own strength! When we trust God with our life, even when we don't understand, He is there for us. He never leaves us. If the Holy Spirit is always making intercession for us, then we cannot fail! John Maxwell wrote a book called Failing Forward, where he says that when you feel like you failed, take that experience and let it thrust you forward. Learn and keep living! Keep going, keep trying and keep trusting God!

God has a plan and purpose for your life—don't be afraid of the different seasons you will go through as God molds you, shapes you and defines the person He created you to be! God doesn't make mistakes; He is daily perfecting you into His image!
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

I want to encourage you today to not be afraid of this new chapter or season in your life. Keep loving Jesus and make Him your first priority; seek Him and trust Him. He will lead you in this new chapter of your life, even if it seems so dark that you are not sure where you are going—He does! God is faithful and I pray that you will not grow weary in well-doing, and that a spirit of faith will arise in you today to give you strength to believe again!

Tricia Reyes