written by: Carissa Waggoner
Many have asked the question, “What is my purpose?” I know I have many times in my life. In my study of God’s word, sermons, devotionals, and prayer, I have learned that we, as Christians, have a collective and an individual purpose. We can start with the two greatest commands that call for our obedience.
Matthew 22: 36-40
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘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 greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Purpose collectively deals with obeying God’s commandments. It also deals with us following what God requires of us and that it increases as we develop a close, intimate relationship with Jesus.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Purpose is also a commission, which is an assignment, a task, or a divine appointment.
As Christians, we are also called to be set apart. Another way to look at it is to be consecrated, to be Holy for He is Holy.
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
1 Peter 1:16
16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
2 Timothy 2:19-26
19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
The purpose is to serve God and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are to be different than the world and set apart to do God’s will. All of these are the collective purpose that God has for all of His children.
So, what about us individually? God has called others to a specific purpose. As we carry out our individual purpose we incorporate the commands, requirements and commissions mentioned above.
There can be pressure in our own individual purpose. We want to rush it. We want to control it. We want to see the finish line. We fail and think that we are no longer qualified. We try to do everything all on our own.
Our individual purpose from God was never meant to put all this pressure on us.
We were created specifically to serve God in our own individual ways. Our temperaments, our personalities, and our gifts and talents. The ongoing transformations that the Holy Spirit guides us through. God has brought us through situations and circumstances that have been preparing us for our purpose. In fact, we have been on our purpose journey all along. Purpose is not a one-event.
Purpose is unfolding right before us.
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Psalm 139:13-16
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
All the days ordained for us were written in His book before one day came to be. I love this. For one it speaks that my entire life this side of Heaven is on purpose. Every day I wake up is another day God has ordained me. Secondly, it speaks of God’s love and care for me even in the details.
What if we get off track?
What if we sin? Are we disqualified from our purpose?
God’s specific purpose for Peter was to build the Church. He denied Jesus three times, among other hasty, temperamental decisions. This did not change God’s purpose for him. When Jesus was resurrected and appeared to Peter, He gave Peter grace. Peter no longer had to be bogged down by shame but set free to walk in authority and confidence as his purpose unfolded.
In truth, I have often strayed from what God was asking me to do, mainly because I had distanced myself from Him and thought I was no longer qualified. I have procrastinated because I didn’t have the full picture and all the answers.
God asks for our step-by-step obedience. We may not have the full picture, but we know what He is asking of us today. Our purpose unfolds as life happens. Our purpose is not a fast-paced race to get done with and move on to the next. It is one small step at a time. Humanity is continuous. Generations after generations come and go. Since our collective purpose is to make disciples in all nations, to all people, our purpose will be ongoing. Our purpose may change and grow, but it is always unfolding.
Our purpose is never meant to be a one-man show either. We are all a body of Christ, and we have a collective purpose. We are Christ’s hands and feet. We are united by the Holy Spirit. We do not have to carry this alone. Also, God is with you as you journey in your purpose.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Romans 12:4-5
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Isaiah 41:10
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
There is a peace knowing that our purpose was designed by God before we even took our first breath. We don’t have to figure it all out. God’s word tells us clearly what our collective purpose is and what God requires of us.
Even if we fail, God can teach us and equip us through that experience. When we come to Him and repent, He is faithful to forgive and Jesus meets us with grace.
We do not have to rush to some finish line. God’s work is never done. Purpose is progression and unfolding. We just step one day at a time in obedience. The results are up to God, and He is in control.
We do not have to follow our purpose alone. There is the entire body of Christ with us. God is with us. Moses had Aaron, the disciples had each other, and we have other brothers and sisters in Christ.
Peace brings freedom. Freedom to follow God’s will, to love and serve Him. If we do not have peace, it is usually because we put too much pressure on ourselves, worrying, having concerns, and fearing things we need to trust Jesus for. Jesus has already given us the Spirit of peace.
As you see your purpose unfolding one day at a time, do not add pressures that were not intended for you to have. Jesus says His yoke is light. Through obedience, being present with Jesus, reading His word, and prayer, you will find peace in your purpose.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, Thank you for forming us specifically for your use. Thank you for having every day ordained by you. We repent of times when we have gone astray and, in disobedience, walked away from your purpose for our lives. We repent for procrastination; for whatever reason, we have not put our trust in you. We pray that we are transformed more and more every day into your likeness and are empowered to do your will. Give us the courage to step out in faith to serve you. May we not complicate things, and may your peace fill us as we fulfill our purpose in serving you and bringing you glory. In Jesus name, Amen!
Becoming His 
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