One thing all Christians will come to ask in their lives is this: Heavenly father, what is your purpose for me? What am I supposed to be doing with my life to glorify you?”
For some people, this is a simple question. They seem to know exactly what they are called to do and they do it. But for others, this isn’t such a straightforward question to answer. There may be many things that you might want to do, but… you just don’t seem to do what feels right.
Why is this? Is it because you are a bad Christian? (Here’s a hint: NO!)
One important thing I have realized is that sometimes we are not ready to live God’s purpose. Even if we want to do something, the opportunities may not be there, and they won’t be for a reason. You are not ready.
So, let me offer you something to think about regarding your purpose:
Be patient.
Be open.
Be ready.
God knows exactly what He wants from you. For the whole of your life, He has been guiding you, shaping you, helping you gather experiences and skills that He can use. You might not realize it, but every day you are on track to fulfill your purpose, even if every day seems mundane.
In your mind, you might think God’s calling will be exciting and full of amazing opportunities. But truthfully, you might not be the type of Christian God wants stalking through the jungles of some faraway land to bring the Gospel to a long-lost tribe.
Maybe everything you have done in your life has led you to be the treasurer for your church. That might not sound exciting or worthy of glorifying God, but I’m pretty sure God thinks it’s helpful.
Not all of us are born to be Christian rock stars or uplifting Pastors. Some of us will have a quiet influence in the world, but all the same, we are building His Kingdom one brick at a time.
If we look to the Bible for encouragement, it’s easy to see that God will reveal his purpose when we are ready, and not vice versa.
In Paradise, Adam had a purpose. In the beginning, God instructed him to tend the garden. That might seem mundane compared to walking and talking with the LORD every day in paradise. But his official job is a gardener.
Then, after he failed to keep God’s command, He banished him and Eve from Eden: (Genesis 3:23) “therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.”
You see, God knew Adam would eat of the tree. How could he not know, He is God? So, how did He prepare Adam for life outside Eden? He taught him how to work the ground.
Noah was 600 years old when the flood came. What had he been doing for the past 600 years? Probably working with wood, because if He had asked me to build an ark, I’m pretty sure it would have sunk.
Then there is Abraham at ninety-nine years old when God told him his ultimate purpose: (Genesis 17:6) “I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.” Abraham had waited nearly his entire life to have a child, and now God tells him he will build nations through having children. How cool is that!
And finally, who did Jesus first call? Simon, Andrew, James and John. And what had they been all their lives? Fishermen. And what was their new purpose with Jesus? To fish for followers. Their life skills and experience made them the perfect apostles.
Nothing is by coincidence.
So, before you let frustration take hold of you, just know that what you are doing today is all part of God’s training for you. Everything you are: your character, your skills, your experiences, your passions, and your heart are all leading to the right place, at the right time.
“But Drew, why do I need a coach like you, if God will call me when He’s ready?“
Well, you don’t need me. We only need Jesus. However, it doesn’t hurt to take inventory of your life. To be ready and open. To remove obstacles that might be holding you back from being ready.
You can think of me as your mechanic. I can help you get your engine in tip-top shape, so when God calls, you’ll be ready and firing on all cylinders.
And that’s my calling.