Chapter 8 Discovering Your God-Given Purpose
Have you ever heard the saying, “When the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable”? This means you might misuse something if you don’t know what it is intended for.
For instance, say you have an awesome smartphone with fantastic camera quality, but you only use it to take blurry selfies. Why? You don’t know all the neat tricks and features that come with the phone.
You’re missing out on the fun and incredible photos you could take because you don’t understand the purpose of those little buttons and settings.
Imagine your smartphone is like a Swiss Army knife. You know, the one with the tiny tools that fold out—scissors, bottle openers, screwdrivers, the whole shebang. If you only ever use the knife, you’re not getting the full potential. Right?
The scissors would cut things, the bottle opener would open a soda, and the screwdriver would fix things around the house.
Your new knife might have all these options, but that’s not very efficient if you don’t know all the tools for using the knife for everything.
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The same thing happens with humans. If you don’t know your purpose, you might feel like that Swiss Army knife is only used to cut string. So, you only do things.
You might not feel as happy or fulfilled because you don’t do what you were truly meant to do. Learning what it is is like discovering that your smartphone camera has a slow-motion feature.
Suddenly, life becomes a lot more exciting and meaningful. This chapter will guide you through essential steps to help find and develop your God-given purpose.
God-given, because everyone created and born comes for a reason or with a particular built-in skill set they only need to discover and harness. A section features biblical examples of characters discovering and fulfilling their God-given purpose.
If you struggle to find yours, this is your chance to look inward and uncover your unique, God-given purpose through this chapter’s biblical teachings and examples.
If you’re not in this category, that’s fine. Read for a friend. If you don’t have any friends, read anyway, you’ll learn a thing or two.
The Concept of Divine Purpose and Its Significance in a Believer’s Life
Like every strong and powerful building constructed according to the appropriate professional’s architectural design, humans follow a blueprint to make the most of their lives.
Every person is created for a unique reason, known as their divine purpose. This divine purpose is God’s exclusive blueprint or plan for each individual.
This plan fits perfectly with who you are, your abilities, passions, and challenges because God is the architect. Like a piece in a puzzle has its perfect place, each person has a special role in God’s big picture.
However, it may take time to discover and understand this plan. The Lord says in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God’s purpose for your life is something He planned long before you were born. Jeremiah 1:5:
He knows every detail about your life and has a reason for each step you take.
Understanding your divine purpose gives your life meaning and direction. When you discover what God wants you to do, you will feel peace and joy because you know you walk the path He has set for you.
As rewarding and fulfilling as discovering your divine purpose can be, it is not always easy. It requires much patience and faith. Don’t worry.
The practical steps to discover and develop your God-given purpose are laid out in this chapter. First, here are a few biblical examples to learn from.
Biblical Figures Who Discovered And Fulfilled Their God-Given Purposes
The Bible has many stories of people who discovered their divine purpose and followed it with all their hearts. Finding and fulfilling your purpose is not always easy, but it is worth it. The following stories illustrate the significance of finding your God-given purpose:
Moses As A Leader
Moses is one of the most well-known figures in the Bible. He is known as the man whom God spoke to face to face. Exodus 33:11,
“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.”
Imagine being Moses, growing up in a palace with all the riches and education you could desire. You are raised as an Egyptian prince, but you know you’re different deep inside. Your people, the Israelites, do not live in palaces and don’t have the same privileges as you.
One day, you see an Egyptian beating an Israelite man. In the heat of the moment, your passion flares up. You can’t stand to see this injustice, so you step in and defend the Israelites, striking down the Egyptians.
It might seem like a single act of anger, but it is a sign of the leader you are meant to become. God reveals your purpose, even if you don’t fully understand it yet.
You strongly desire to protect your people, stand up for them, and fight against their oppression. However, you don’t immediately become a respected leader – you had to flee from Egypt because of what you did.
You end up in the desert, far from everything you ever knew. Yet, this is where God prepares you for greatness. Sometimes, you must go through hard times to understand what you are truly meant to do.
In the quiet and stillness of the desert, God speaks to you. He shows you a burning bush, but the leaves stand tall like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. God tells you to lead your people out of slavery. Finally, you know God’s purpose for you—to be a deliverer.
So, you see, finding your purpose isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes, it begins with a strong feeling or passion you care deeply about. You might not see the whole picture right away. For Moses, his anger over injustice became the first hint.
His God-given assignment wasn’t a walk in the park. It was certainly not for the faint-hearted. Fortunately, Moses chose faith over fear and obeyed God.
He returned to Egypt, confronted the Pharaoh, and performed miracles using God’s power to show that God was real and powerful.
God empowered Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and across the Red Sea, where God performed a miracle by parting the waters so they could cross safely.
Moses led the people through the desert for 40 years, teaching them about God’s laws and how to live as His people. Through it all, Moses fulfilled his divine purpose by trusting God and leading his people with courage and faith.
Esther, As A Queen
If someone had told Esther she would become queen of the Persian Empire while she and her people were exiled, she would probably suggest they nap to rest their heads.
Esther’s story is a powerful example of how God can use anyone to fulfill a divine purpose, no matter how unlikely. Esther was the daughter of a Benjaminite, Abihail.
Her parents died when she was young, so her uncle, Mordecai, took custody of her. By a miraculous twist of fate, the king ofthe Persian Empire removed his wife from the palace, and the search for a new wife began.
Esther was chosen from among many young women. It seemed like a great honor, but it also put Esther in a difficult position. She had to hide her Jewish identity because to be a Jew in the king’s palace was dangerous. That was risk number one.
Soon after Esther became queen, a wicked man named Haman, a high official in the king’s court, became angry with Mordecai because Mordecai would not bow down to him. In his anger, Haman tricked the king into making a law to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom.
When Mordecai heard about this, he was highly upset and sent a message to Esther, asking her to go to the king and beg for their lives.
Esther knew that going to the king without an invitation could mean death. However, Mordecai reminded her that she might be queen to save her people.
Esther had to be brave to take risk number two. She fasted and prayed for three days and asked the Jews to do the same. Esther 4:16, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me.
Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” She put on her royal robes and went to see the king.
God gave her favor in the king’s eyes, and he allowed her to speak. Esther invited the king and Haman to a banquet, and at the banquet, she revealed her Jewish identity and told the king about Haman’s evil plan. The king was furious and ordered Haman to be punished. Ester’s divine purpose saved the Jews.
Esther fulfilled her divine purpose by being courageous and trusting God. Her bravery saved her people and showed that God can use anyone to fulfill His plans, no matter how difficult the situation may seem.
Paul The Apostle
Paul, known as Saul, had a different story. Initially, he was not a follower of Jesus. He did not believe in Jesus, and those who followed Him were wrong.
Paul strictly followed the Jewish laws and believed the followers of Jesus broke those laws. He went as far as to hunt down Christians, imprisoning and torturing them.
Acts 9:1-2, “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” Paul thought he was doing the right thing. However, he fought against God’s true purpose.
One day, Paul was on his way to Damascus to arrest more Christians, and something incredible happened. A bright light from heaven suddenly shone around him, and he fell to the ground.
He heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Jesus spoke to him from heaven. Shocked and terrified, Paul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:3-6). This encounter completely changed Paul’s life. He realized Jesus was real and he had been wrong.
After this encounter, Paul became a follower of Jesus. He understood his purpose was to tell everyone about Jesus and the good news of salvation.
Paul traveled to many places, preaching about Jesus, starting churches, and helping ^ believers grow in their faith.
His path came with immense challenges – he was imprisoned, beaten, faced many dangers, and even shipwrecked.
However, Paul knew he was doing God’s will and continued with vigor. He wrote many letters to the Churches, now part of the Bible. He used the letters to teach and encourage Christians to continue their faith.
Apostle Paul dedicated his life to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s love and excelled because this was his divine purpose.
Understanding Your Divine Purpose
Like Moses, Esther, and Paul, every believer has a divine purpose, a unique role God planned for them to fulfill. Discovering this purpose is not easy and usually takes time.
Sometimes, you must go through difficult situations to grow and learn more about yourself and God’s plan for you. These challenges help shape and prepare you for God’s tasks. God’s purpose for everyone is always good. Jeremiah 29:11,
You must stay close to God to find your divine purpose. God gives you hope and a future. Spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, and talking to other believers who can provide you with sound advice and support will guide you to your divine purpose.
Pay attention to what you are naturally drawn to and what you enjoy doing and are good at. Sometimes, God speaks to you through your desires and talents to guide you toward living a life full of joy and fulfillment to help others.
You can’t discover your divine purpose and then relax. You must catch and run with the vision, or you will be like the man who keeps the talent hidden. Matthew 25:24-28:
“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
So, I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So, you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?
Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.” So, take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.
For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”
You can see how dangerous it is to find your purpose and sit on it. Once you find your purpose, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Follow it with all your heart, like Moses, Esther, and Paul did.
Everyone has their unique path. Sometimes, finding and following God’s purpose might require leaving close friends or loved ones, but you must be ready to do so.
It could mean joining forces with people you never imagined speaking to, but you’re not the one in charge. God is. 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
You might face challenges and difficulties, but you can trust that God is with you, helping you and giving you strength. He promised to never leave nor forsake you. He will help you fulfill your destiny.
Practical Steps For Identifying And Developing Your God-Given Purpose
Finding your God-given purpose is a big deal. But don’t worry. This section breaks it down into small, easy, practical steps.
In the quest to find your purpose, you must look at the clues: your strengths, passions, and experiences. Guess what? God plants tiny hints around you from the time you’re born to help you figure it out. Here’s where to look for:
Look At The Things You Naturally Excel In
The first place to check is what you’re naturally good at— your strengths. These are things that come easily to you, maybe things you don’t notice because they feel like second nature.
Do your friends compare you to a famous singer because of how well you sing at home? Can you whip up a delicious meal without breaking a sweat (and without burning the kitchen down—bonus points for that)?
Perhaps you have an excellent memory and reproduce an image you see on paper with intricate details, or maybe you are the best at organizing things. These are hints as to your true purpose.
You might think, “But I’m not good at anything.” Here’s a secret you should know for free: everyone has something they excel in, including you.
It might be something small, like always being on time (not everyone has that gift) or a talent for making people laugh. Think about what people compliment you on or what comes naturally to you. Write them down. You could be on to something with those clues.
What Are You Passionate About?
For Moses, he was ready to fight for his people. For Paul, he was ready to die for what he believed in. Now, ask yourself, what is one thing that sets your heart on fire?
What could you talk about for hours without getting bored? What makes you come alive? When God calls you, He often starts with something that already stirs your heart.
Your passion is not random. It’s a clue to what you are meant to do. Like Moses, you might go through a desert period of waiting and preparation.
Time doesn’t necessarily mean delay. It is God shaping and preparing you for your purpose. Your passions are another signpost pointing you toward your God-given purpose.
Consult Your Yesterdays
This is something not everyone does. Most people are all about the present and moving toward the future, living like yesterday never existed. However, in the quest to find your purpose, you must visit your past.
So, try something in this ‘now moment.’ Look back at your life. Sometimes, thinking about the past is not fun, especially if it is mostly unpleasant. However, your experiences shape you.
Everything that happened then was no accident. God uses everything. Think about the good, the bad, and the funny (like when you tried to dye your hair and ended up with a color not found in nature).
What did you learn from the experiences? How have they made you stronger, wiser, or more compassionate? Write these down because they will guide you toward your purpose.
Step Out, Try Something New And Explore
This is where it gets exciting. Once you’ve done some soul¬searching, it’s time to act. The wisest man in the Bible said in Proverbs 14:23, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
It’s not enough to wonder about your purpose and keep talking about it. Start trying new things! Your purpose may be something you haven’t tried yet. Maybe you admire people who do it.
Explore while you still have the time. If you think you might be called to help others, volunteer somewhere. If you feel a pull toward creativity, start painting or writing.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Your God-given purpose won’t pay you a surprise visit if all you do is sit on the couch and watch TV all day. Come out of your cocoon.
Pray And Ask God For Guidance
This is the most important step. Miss this one, and you might miss your way. The Bible records in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that appears to be right but in the end, it leads to death.” God must be involved.
As a human, your knowledge and power are limited. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Isn’t that a relief? God will guide you. He knows your purpose. So, use quiet time to pray and ask Him to show you the way.
When you pray, be honest with God. Tell Him about your worries, hopes, and confusions. The answer could come in several ways: feeling peaceful, a new idea, or a conversation with a friend. Keep your heart open and trust that God is leading you where you need to go.
Prayer is crucial to discovering your God-given purpose. You must pray frequently, ask God for guidance, and listen carefully to His voice during your purpose-discovering journey.
It can happen through reading the Bible, talking with other believers, or paying attention to what you feel passionate about.
God often speaks quietly through your thoughts, feelings, and people around you. There will be more about prayer in the next and final chapter.
As you grow in your relationship with Him, He will reveal more of His plan for you. When you finally understand your purpose, it changes everything about how you live.
You’re expected to make choices in line with God’s plan, giving you peace knowing you’re doing what you were born for.
Journaling Prompt
Create a purpose vision board in your journal. Gather images, quotes, and Bible verses that resonate with your
understanding of your God-given purpose.
Arrange them on a board to create a visual representation of your calling. Use this board as a daily reminder to stay focused on your divine purpose.