In my limited daily living, I often pondered over the purpose of life. The purpose of my existence, and that too compounded by unwanted circumstances and the reminder of being me not the owner of this life.
This month is my birthday month, so I took the liberty of thinking about life in this second series. With one more post, I will end for the time being. We simply are NOT here to always run after or blinded by our wants. You may check out my book titled The Audacity of Wants here.
If I’m not the owner or the planner of this life, there must be a purpose to it. I may not know it all, life itself is a mystery. Yet it is my quest to find something to hold onto before I finish this earthly journey.
All is not lost although I lost a huge deal of my normal health, a part of my brain. Perhaps I’m making a wrong turn in my journey to stay home with my children. However, I always try to put myself on the positive side of life. I’m both pessimistic and optimistic, at times introverted and procrastinating over things.
There is, I believe, a purpose to everything. The creation of man as found in the scripture is to take care of the Garden and all living things in it. It is a task too vast, but God knows what he is doing.
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15 He brought them (the wild animals and all the birds in the sky) to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.
So, the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals. This is the first task of the man recorded in the scripture. v.19,20
We come and go, not achieving much in the worldly sense. Even if we achieve something worthwhile and accumulate wealth, we’ll still leave it behind. That is one and also a true perception of our lives. Some do not find it valuable or have a purpose.
The feeling of getting stuck, trapped, or finding no direction for the long haul is being unable to find the purpose. However, by saying this I too have been in this condition of getting stuck, due to my prolonged illness, which goes on and on.
Yet I know that even when my life doesn’t make sense, there is a purpose to my life because I’m here not by accident. It may be in this way I’ll serve my purpose. So, I’ll endure the pain and the weaknesses.
What is the purpose of life?
It becomes a mammoth task to answer this question in a sentence. The purpose of life is to live out your purpose wherever you are. As we grow, we may be nearing realization.
For some, the purpose of life is to be happy. Truly speaking, you will not find true happiness in this world. Not that you can be happy, but one needs to renew or find happiness occasionally.
We live in a fallen world, when things fail, we think all is lost. It is not. We need to focus on the future and what we have in our hands.
For me, the purpose of life is not to miss out on the task God has in place for me. Whether big or small, if I lived out or did the work consciously or unknowingly, I’d be contented to face him. I’m still working on it.
Finding your purpose in Life:
Listen to your inner self if you feel purposeless, and ask God to give you wisdom and direction. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
God wants to give you a purpose. He wants to bestow divine wisdom on you. It’s not like God is holding out on you to make you miserable.
He desires you to have a joyful, ambitious, purposeful life. Ask God for purpose and expect Him to give it to you.
Learn to live wisely:
Keep digging into the scripture. I remember a short chorus that was taught during a Vacation Bible School: “Dig, dig, keep digging into God’s word, finding out facts and truth ….” Again, sought help from Scripture. What one should do in our search for God’s purpose is to start digging into the Scripture.
Sadly enough, you won’t find any verses that tell you to become a dance instructor or painter, but you will begin to understand the heart of God. Yet you will stay guided!
God’s word brings light to paths that otherwise seem dark. Learn how to live wisely in God’s world, which is the first step toward finding your purpose. Psalm 119:105
Our gifts and talents:
God has given you very specific gifts and strengths. His purpose for you probably involves the things you’re already good at.
This is where education can be particularly valuable. Joining a short-term or long-term course, going back to college, or getting involved in a ministry allows you to discover your gifts and then determine how you’re going to use them.
It also connects you with people who want to help you find your purpose. You can be a mentor imparting knowledge, and motivating others for good. We are to do good works after being made alive in Christ, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Hobbies and Passion:
Know or find out your hobbies and passions. Don’t simply convert your work into your hobbies. Have your hobbies on standby so that you use them to fulfill your purpose.
For me, it’s writing, listening to music, composing tunes, etc. However, after my Brain Surgery and the auditory hallucinations of sorts, that often occur. I still try to nourish it as much as possible.
Perhaps there is something you’re particularly passionate about. Determining your passions often helps you figure out what God has called you to do. We are not to mess with the divine purpose but try to live by it.
It’s often said that God works at the intersection of our gifts and our passions. Where do your gifts meet your passions? That may be God’s purpose for you. I’m also always trying to connect the dots.
Interact with Others:
I’m no longer good at interacting or making friends like before. But deep down in me, I know that I need good people around me. “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14
In other words, one of the main ways God will help you find your purpose is through others. Just before I started blogging on my own, a very talented web designer friend I know Siam Naulak encouraged me to start a blog while creating or writing content for others.
Interact with people you can trust. Whether this is your professors, parents, or friends, it needs to be people who have your back and want the best for you.
We need wise counselors to help us find God’s purpose for us.
Spend time Alone:
Sometimes it can be incredibly helpful to get away from it all and take some unhurried time to think, pray, and journal. Even just a day away from the hustle and grind can be hugely rewarding.
Stay still, ask God for direction, and listen for His voice. This doesn’t need to be complicated and doesn’t require any elaborate rituals.
Hebrews 11:6 is a reminder that God always rewards those who seek him. He’s not hiding in the dark, trying to keep his will hidden from you. He wants to guide you.
Trust and Faith:
Trying to discover your life purpose can be a stressful, overwhelming thing. It can seem like such a big, confusing, frustrating subject. For many, faith and religion is the tool to deceive people. Yet faith does exist although we cannot see.
You want to move forward, but you’re not sure how. You want to find your purpose, but you feel like you’re aimlessly wandering.
But you can trust God to lead you where he wants you to go. As Psalm 23:2-3 says, “He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
When we trust and keep our faith in the living God, we’ll begin to work on the purpose of life. We may feel confused, but God doesn’t. We’re not here without purpose!
Perhaps I might be the one who’s confused, not you. With the abiding grace of God, I do believe and hope that God will let me work out his purpose set for me. I can only try – trying to find opportunities even though it’s very limited for now. I’m very hopeful!
Peace and Blessings to you in Jesus’ name!
