Living with passion and purpose

Do you ever feel as if you're just drifting down the road of life, not sure of your destination? Knowing that you must have a purpose, yet completely clueless as to what that purpose might be? So many of us go through life this way, unaware that we were made for more. The Bible tells us that not only were we created by God and for God, but we were designed with a specific function in mind. Each of us has a unique role in God's kingdom that only we can fill. Our Heavenly Father knit us together in our mother's wombs, knowing the plans He had for us, since the beginning of time.

For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

Psalm 139:13-16

So how can we connect these Scriptures to our own lives and fulfill the purpose for which we were created? First and foremost, we must be followers of Jesus Christ, and recipients of His saving grace. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Our sin separates us from Him. Yet, Jesus came to die on our behalf, to save us from our sins and reconcile us to the Father. The first step towards becoming who God created us to be is to humbly acknowledge our sin against God and put our faith in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as payment for our sins. To acknowledge Jesus as our Savior and Lord. This belief entrusts our spiritual well-being to Christ and brings peace between us and God. When we make this decision we become God's children, and all of heaven rejoices.

But to all who did receive him,

who believed in his name,

he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:12

Once we take this first and crucial step we can be assured that God's very own Spirit now comes to live inside us, growing us spiritually and empowering us to live God-honoring lifestyles. We can begin to evaluate our specific gifts and talents which God has instilled in us to bring Him glory and impact the world around us in a powerful way. What are you passionate about? Maybe you have always been a great learner, an empathetic encourager, or a bubbly people-person. Whatever it is, God has uniquely designed you that way with the intent for you to use those gifts to benefit those around you, and build His kingdom.

Social butterflies can use their personalities to draw others to Jesus. Encouragers can seek to comfort and mentor others by pointing them to Scripture. Learners usually make great teachers. For myself, I have always loved to read, learn and share information. It was only recently in the last 2 years that God revealed to me how I can use those talents to help others and to honor Him with what He has given me, by writing, and leading Bible studies. When I realized this, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head! All the pieces came together and I saw how my unique piece of the puzzle fit into God's great masterpiece.

Discovering our purpose not only glorifies God and advances His kingdom, but it brings us great joy and soul satisfaction. It quenches that restless, wandering feeling of not knowing what direction we are headed in our lives. If you don't yet know your purpose on Earth, spend some time writing down the attributes God has gifted you with. Assess your passions and then pray for God to reveal your specific talents and how you can use them to magnify His name in your life. Seek Him with all of your heart and be willing to follow wherever He may lead. Step into each day with intentionality, and a soul set on fire to honor God in all that you say and do.