Discovering Your Purpose Has Nothing to Do with Productivity
“God created us all in a unique way. We all exude a different configuration of qualities personally handpicked by God.”
Photo by Janelle Pol
I teach teenagers.
The thing about teens is that they have a wordless question rolling around in their minds. They haven’t fully conceptualized the greatest question that faces humanity: what is our purpose?
I think many of us can relate and still ask the same in our post-pubescent years.
Purpose is defined as the reason something exists. Depending on who you ask or what pops up in Google, that answer may vary greatly.
When I think of purpose, I think of one thing: my productivity. What am I producing that is achieving results in my life?
The biblical Christian view of purpose is simple and sweet, which makes it bearable (but not easy): our purpose is to know God.
Jesus said it clearly as it’s related in John 17:3. “And this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
KNOWING GOD
You are not an accident or a happenstance. You were not created just to do things or take up space. You were created to grow in the knowledge of God and to exist in relationship with him.
It’s helpful to think of a relationship with God by comparing it to a human relationship.
We get to know someone by talking with them, spending time with them, listening to what’s on their heart, and by learning about them from their experiences with other people.
One of the avenues through which we can get to know God is through reading Scripture, thinking over what it says, and applying it to our lives by believing its truth and doing what it says. It’s one of the ways God speaks directly to us.
Prayer is another way to become better acquainted with God. We share what’s on our hearts and listen for his response. Prayer is not a rattling off of requests, but a conversation that allows us an opportunity to enjoy God’s friendship with us and receive more understanding of his desires for our lives.
Investing in relationships with others who are also seeking a close friendship with God also provides an opportunity for us to receive his love. I know that when I connect with a friend who also is seeking to know God better, I learn more about him, and that also strengthens my faith.
All of these practices together contribute to living a life connected to Jesus. These things have nothing to do with what we produce or do -- that question of purpose and productivity -- because living a fruitful life is a by-product of living in alignment with our purpose.
HOW TO LIVE OUT PURPOSE
How we live out our purpose is such a beautiful thing, and there are limitless ways to do so. God is simultaneously both specific and endlessly varied. God created us all in a unique way. We all exude a different configuration of qualities personally handpicked by God.
Me? I’m passionate, curious, sensitive, and innovative. Since I was created this way, God has given me the freedom to know him and make him known while using these qualities!
Purpose can be expressed in more ways than one. One of the ways that I choose to live out my purpose is through teaching high school. Another way is by intentionally connecting in relationships with those around me.
The beautiful thing about this purpose is how easy it is to pursue it. All we have to do is ask God for help. He is eager to make your purpose clear to you and come alongside you as you walk it out over your lifetime. It’s his delight to see you fully come to life as he designed you to be, fully enjoying and utilizing your unique giftings and passions.
The only question left now is one you have to answer yourself:
Are you ready?