God hasn’t finished writing your story

I know you desire, as I do, to live a meaningful life and fulfill God’s unique purpose for you. But do you have a clear understanding of your life purpose?

Many years ago, someone challenged me to create a purpose statement that would guide my life. So I got out a notepad and asked God to give me discernment. After spending time in prayer, I wrote this simple statement: 

“My purpose is to be an effective communicator of God’s Word.”

Friend, what is your life purpose statement? If you haven’t yet prayerfully defined your life purpose, I encourage you to do so. 

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a young adult just starting out on your own or a senior adult with a lifetime of experience—it’s never too early or too late to start living well! 

Your God-given purpose is the engine that drives your actions, affections, and aspirations—and it keeps you from spinning your wheels, squandering opportunities, or spending your time in ways you regret. 

Look at what Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:15–17: Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men [and women] who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God. (PHILLIPS)

In other words, Paul was saying, “Know your purpose.”

Regardless of your age or stage of life, God wants you to be productive, working to fulfill His purpose in the world through His unique purpose for you. 

As Christians, we all have a general purpose of glorifying God (Isaiah 43:7) and a command from Jesus to make disciples (Matthew 28:19–20). But each of us also has a specific reason for living. God is not only telling a story throughout the universe of His love and redemption through Christ, but He is also writing an individual story in your life. 

No matter where you are in life, God hasn’t finished writing your story.

How do you discover your purpose? We find the answer in Philippians 2:13: “It is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve his purpose” (PHILLIPS). Notice the two ingredients for finding your purpose:

Will. One way God reveals His purpose for your life is through the desire He has given you to meet needs in the world. What inspires you? What needs do you see in your community, work, school, friends, and church? What age group or type of people naturally interest you? Pray about these things, and ask God to guide you toward your life purpose.

Power. Another way God reveals His purpose for you is through the gifts and abilities He has given you. What abilities do you have that other people notice and appreciate? If you were asked to give a “how-to” seminar on any topic, what topic would you choose? What accomplishments in your life have given you the most satisfaction and why? When God calls you to do something, He will also give you the ability to do it. 

There is no more effective way to be a disciple of Jesus Christ than by discovering and living out His unique purpose for you. What a joy and a privilege it is to spend your days doing what He created you to do! 

Sharing the truth of God’s Word,

Dr. Robert Jeffress