WHAT IS MY PURPOSE?

6/02/26 WHAT IS MY PURPOSE?

As we grow up in the Lord, life is a series of transitions where we grow up in stages. We can clearly see the natural process when we watch children grow up. It is sometimes hard to distinguish those exact moments when one graduates from baby to toddler, from toddler to child, from child to teen and from teen to young adult. Within each stage we hopefully learn about what we can and cant do, what we like and do not like. And finally what are our gifts, talents and passions.

I have discovered that growing up doesn’t stop at adult. For most people, there are the years of raising a family, the years of career, the years of retirement and the years of old age. And sometimes when transitioning between those stages, we feel “lost” with the inability to plug into God’s purpose for our lives. He did create each of us unique and for His purpose, and within each season of our lives He does have purpose. His ultimate purpose for each of us is to grow up into the full image of Jesus and Who He was when He walked the earth.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ephesians 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

Outside of growing up to be like Jesus, if you are struggling to know your purpose in whatever season you are in, perhaps consider the following practical ideas. They can help break things down to the most simple of terms which really do help in every season of life, no matter what circumstance we are in. Why? Because the more we know ourselves, the more we feel settled and satisfied when we find that “niche” that works for us, no matter what our circumstances or season we are in.

TAKE SOME PERSONALITY TESTS: ROLES

When I was completing my degree in college, one of the classes I took required us to take several different types of personality tests. There are many different types – my favorite was the DISC, at least that is the one I remember the most. As in most tests, we might overlap scores in each category. But the tests helped me understand who I am and what ROLEI felt most comfortable functioning in life. As I look back on my life now, I see how I did gravitate to be exactly who the DISC personality test suggested I am. That was true in practical living and also my spiritual life and calling. It included my work years, family years and ministry years. Understanding the uniqueness of our personality really does help us come into God’s purposes for us.

This following is an older version of the DISC personalities. There are many types of personality tests available, and each of them offer insights. I would recommend taking 2-3 personality tests!

https://thequickenedword.com/PDFBooks/DISCPersonalities.pdf

Another thing I discovered when applying the personality tests is understanding others. When we experience that not everyone is like ourself, we can analyze what they need and better help them when the opportunity arises. When we understand someone else’s personality, we can learn how to best love and serve them. Learning the different categories of personalities really helps throughout life! The DISC personality attributes is very helpful when it comes to understanding another person that is not like us!

God calls us each to play a role throughout life. That role may change according to whatever season we are in. But once we realize that role is not dependent upon others, but upon who God created us to be in that role, we find we can feel settled in each season even if we don’t know what we are doing in His overcall purpose.

What does that mean? Take for instance a mother will always be a mother, whether or not she has children. Consider a mother’s heart and the practical things she does to be a mother. Is that dependent upon having a child living in her home? Someone who has a mother’s heart will take on the role of mother no matter where she goes and what she does with her life. Why? Because that is who she is. Being a mother is a part of her personality; she is a support for others in an effort to help them grow their fullest potential.

FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU ARE GOOD AT: PASSIONS

God created each of us with gifts and talents. When we use our gifts and talents for God’s glory, it gives Him pleasure and it helps us find places in life where we can feel satisfied and content. Gifts and talents are not meant to be equal or on any type of scale for comparison.

Take for instance one of my gifts is putting things into order. In the world’s eyes that is not going to win any beauty contests or build the world’s most tallest building. (smiles) But I feel a great amount of satisfaction in bringing things into alignment. That might mean sorting, color coding, lists, puzzles. The other day I realized how satisfying it was to watch a lawn mower make perfect rows of grass. The person running it was using a joy stick at the other end of the yard! The lawn was a mess of brambles, etc but this mower plowed through the chaos, making tiny pieces of mulch and leaving perfectly lined rows of green. I really smiled that I could be entertained at such a sight. But to my sense of order it felt so satisfying!

For me, it is knowing little things like my love of putting things into order, that make life enjoyable. On the opposite side, recognizing that about myself helps me understand why I might feel unsettled and out of place if my environment is not tidy. My practical life isn’t about gold and diamonds, it is more like chipboard and plastic but within my little abode, I like it in order and with colors that (yes) also are in alignment with other colors. Smiles.

When I have analyzed the complexities of living my 73 years, I have discovered that when it comes to what the world thinks as “grander” purpose or callings, when condensing it all down, life becomes quite simple. I have come to realize that using those quirky things that are my little passions in life (talents and gifts) and my preferable roles (personality traits) – When I use those to love God and others, I have found great satisfaction in whatever I do. But after passion and roles, one thing yet remains, and that is the most important part of our search…

Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered to them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

GOD’S PURPOSE IS TO TEACH US LOVE

God told us in the OT that the most important thing we can do in life is love God. Is it the most important because that love is to be with ALL our hearts, ALL our souls, (mind, will and emotions) and ALL our strength (bodies.) When we consider ALL, that is everything in life.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: 7 And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Jesus in the NT said the most important thing we can do is love God with ALL of us, and He added to also love others and love ourselves.

Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

We can do all the right things (like producing works) for God, but if we do not have the right heart, it has little worth. Like for instance, I might rinse the dishes and stack them in order and put them on the plastic mat. When I rinse and sort, it is the most loving way I can serve Wayne in doing dishes. He doesn’t like to touch dirty dishes!! But if I put the rinsed dishes in the dishwasher, he rearranges my efforts! Knowing him, he probably figured out the angle of the water where it hits the dishes. (smiles) But I can clearly see that arrangement is important to him. So I rinse and sort and he arranges! It’s a perfect fit for loving one another as we each perform our roles and purpose in God. If I just rinsed, sorted and arranged in the dishwater for my own pleasure, it would have little worth. But because I do it for love, each and every day for my beloved husband… it has great worth. My purpose for loving him in that way is fulfilling and satisfying.

1 Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.

Some people may not have a mate. But we might have a pet or some friends. One might spend some time pondering how to love and serve them, and in so doing we too are serving the Lord and ministering to Him. If we are working a job, how can we best serve others in that job? What is the loving way and how can we serve the Lord through loving others? Consider these things and make choices to live with purpose each and every day. Did I choose to love?

Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Since you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.

Beloveds, our very most important purpose in life is to learn about God’s love then love Him, others and even ourselves. Whatever we do, do it with love. Study the scriptures about love and line your life up to those standards. Love is not necessary a feeling, love is a choice. Choose to love. When we choose to love, we lay down our lives, we suffer and we yield. But we also find great joy when those we love find freedom and release because we chose to love them. God sees every little detail and He will reward and recompense all!

John 15:13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

When we love God, we pursue Him each day. We recommit to Him that day in desire of being in His purpose. We may not know what His purpose is for the day, but if we seek to do all with love and unto Him, we have chosen well.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content.

WHAT IS MY CALLING?

After someone first wakes up spiritually, it is common to start wondering, “What is my calling?” They might hear misc leaders mention their calling, start seeing their own giftedness and wonder but what is MY calling?

First of all there is no higher calling than to belong to God, be His child and in His everlasting family. Just considering that fact is awesome.

1 John 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

Second of all, one’s calling IS tied into their purpose, their gifts/ talents and personality traits. How do I know that? Because when God calls us, scripture says that He first equips then establishes us for what He has called us to do. He may apply those gifts/ talents and traits in a generic way and not necessarily specific. But they are important foundations to who we are and how we function in life. As mentioned before, it is very helpful to know ourselves in such a way.

1Co 12:4,5,6 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 

Matthew 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his own ability; and immediately took his journey.

Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established;

2 Thessalonians 2:17 Encourage your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.

For many years I believed that my calling was a function. Like a role I performed in life, it was my spiritual “job.” I learned faithfulness, patience, endurance and the misc godly traits while performing my “job.” I learned how to be a servant and become obedient. But when I went through transition, my circumstances changed and I thought I was at a loss to “perform” my calling because basically my job no longer existed in the way I had been functioning. It was at that time the Lord started telling me that my calling is INSIDE of me, it is who I am.

In my mind I needed to perform and see results because in the world people’s identities are caught up in work and producing in order to have self worth. I wasn’t too keen on something inside of me that wasn’t tangible. It took me a few years of the Lord showing me through example that who He created me to be really IS my calling. It’s on the inside.

Take for instance a teacher. If I am called to be a teacher or whatever, it would start with who I am on the inside. Every opportunity I had, I would pass on what I learned in order to help someone else who will listen.

I am smiling, being reminded of a YouTube channel I watch where a young couple bought a house and wanted to fix it up. The old guy next door is retired. I think he used to be a logger, but wow does he know stuff. One day he stopped by when he saw them out doing something and he shared some tidbits about how to do it easier. And then I noticed he started showing up in the videos, because as much a google was helpful, he knew more. They began asking him for knowledge on how to do something the best way. In my mind, I saw the guy had a teaching gift, even if he had been a logger!! A teacher was who he was on the inside. He was naturally drawn to teach.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

The kingdom of heaven is exactly like this same principle. Jesus taught all about the kingdom of heaven which is something we are supposed to enter. But then He says the kingdom doesn’t come with something we see, it is within us. I did finally figure out that we first enter His kingdom within us as we learn how to submit to His kingship. But eventually He takes the lid off and manifests what is already present in our lives… suddenly what is within us manifests to the visible world. It is our calling to be His light and manifest His kingdom through whatever opportunity He gives us.

Luke 17:20-21 And when he was demanded by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God comes not with outward observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.