(Purpose) Why Am I Here?

WHAT IS MY PURPOSE?

How many of you reading this appreciate a to-do list? Does anyone (like me) enjoy a to-do list so much that they will even add something to their list after they’ve done it, just for the satisfaction of crossing it off the list? There can be an incredible feeling of purpose in achieving everything on your list. 

You may not relate to having a to-do list, but most of us have wondered if what we’re doing in life has a purpose – if we have a purpose. 

Purpose is defined as why you do something or why something exists.

Although I wouldn’t have been able to define it, I wanted to have a purpose from a very young age. I wanted to help others and to feel useful. My Grade One friend who didn’t speak English was the recipient of this—I was determined to help her learn English, so my six-year-old self made cue cards for her. I don’t know if she appreciated this, but I wanted to help.

Throughout my life, I have sought a purpose. I chose a vocation to help others (teaching) and tried to serve in many ways at my church. I can remember conversations with my parents, good friends, my husband, and God, all rooted around the question, “What is my purpose?” 

PURPOSE AND CHRONIC ILLNESS

I’m sure you won’t be surprised to know that when chronic illness began to impact my day-to-day life in profound ways, my purpose was truly shaken. When I had to stop teaching or say no to ministry opportunities because of my unpredictable body, I asked God, “What is my purpose now?” I felt useless. I felt frustrated. I felt grief for what my life had been.

I am thankful that God did not abandon me there. As I called out to Him, He met me right where I was with much more than I ever could have requested.

For so many years, I was able to be somewhat self-sufficient with my purpose. I could carry on with a quick Thank You to God for giving me an opportunity, or with an immediate prayer for guidance in difficult circumstances. Including Him in my plans was an important part of my journey, but I had (and still have) so much to learn. 

GOD’S PURPOSE PREVAILS

This Scripture is so powerful to me now: Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

You see, I had been making my plans and setting my purpose, which, in turn, made me feel purposeful. When I could no longer do all the things, I realized that much of this was my plan. I was undoubtedly doing good things, but I needed to see beyond this.

Maybe your illness has altered some of your purpose. Perhaps caregiving has become a purpose you didn’t ask for, or you feel limited in what you can offer and find yourself questioning your purpose.

When so much of what gave me purpose was stripped away, I was led to kneel at His feet and cry, “What am I here for?” He answered me. He reminded me that my plans were not His plans—that my purpose did not depend on what I did. This is true for all of us.

If you make any work the purpose of your life – even if that work is church ministry – you create an idol that rivals God. (Timothy Keller)

TRUE PURPOSE

Many Bible verses remind us of what our true purpose is: 

• …the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. (Isaiah 43:21)
• …everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. (Isaiah 43:7)
• Praise the Lord!
  Praise God in his sanctuary;
  praise him in his mighty heavens!
  Praise him for his mighty deeds;
  praise him according to his excellent greatness!

  Praise him with trumpet sound;
  praise him with lute and harp!
  Praise him with tambourine and dance;
  praise him with strings and pipe!

  Praise him with sounding cymbals;
  praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
  Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150)

God reminds me that my purpose is to worship Him. If I don’t do anything else, I fulfill my purpose when I worship Him. 

This can be hard to grasp in our society, where being busy and achieving is applauded. It helps me to look at creation as a reminder. Right now, I’m looking out the window at the changing colors of Fall; the trees are pointing to God with their beauty. They cause me to stop, gaze at them, and worship and praise God. They are applauding their Maker. What if my life could do this for others, too?

You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12)

CREATED WITH A DESIRE TO SERVE

God also created us with a desire to serve Him (to be His hands and feet in this world), so it is natural to desire to serve Him. I don’t want to discount this, but I pray that we can rest in worship as our ultimate purpose this month, rather than in what we do.

My illnesses have led me to walk more closely with Him than ever before, and I have started to see my worship as beautifully purposeful. I have found that I want to know Christ more; I want all I do to worship Him. As God is put in His rightful place in my life, the rest of the to-dos flow out of this worship. This is purpose!

As you go through this month, keep the word purpose before you. Write it on a sticky note, and put it on your fridge or in your car. 

• If you start to question your purpose, talk to Him. 
• If you compare what you do to what others can do, confess this to Him.
• If you start to ask, “What is my purpose?”, sit at His feet with that question. He will meet you there.

PRAYER

Father, You created me to worship You. May my life be my worship. May I seek to worship You in all I say and do. When I become frustrated that things look different than they used to, please remind me of how You see me and that I have purpose just as I am. Open my eyes to ways I can love others out of my worship of You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• What are some ways that you are or have been frustrated about your purpose? Talk to God about this.
• Do you struggle to believe your purpose is to worship God? Why?
• How have you seen your life point others to God? Do you see this as worship?

AN INVITATION

If you’d like to talk with God about ways to worship Him and love others even with limitations, look at Your Grace Gifts for some ideas. Biblical Purpose is another helpful printable for reflection on our God-given purpose.