All over the world, existential questions trouble the minds of humans and the search for answers continues. We all seek to understand the meaning of life, who we are, why we are here, and our purpose.

Failing to find the right answers leaves us in a continuous search for true fulfillment. What if someone told you that the believer never has to bother about answering these questions ever again? Today in this devotional, we would consider the answers to the questions surrounding purpose.

Only the creator can correctly answer questions about the purpose of his creation. When we seek answers about our purpose, we often find none or the wrong ones because we look to the wrong sources. The only one who can correctly answer these questions is God.

Jeremiah 1:5

New King James Version

5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.

In this scripture, God speaks to Jeremiah as a creator of his creation, indicating that He knew him before his introduction to the Earth and He had designed a purpose for Jeremiah. Similarly, God has a purpose for creating each of us. Just as every artist or writer has a purpose for their work, God has a purpose for each of us.

Galatians 2:20

New King James Version

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

This was a letter to the church in Galatia and the apostle boldly declares that he has been crucified with Christ and the life that he now lives is the life of Christ that he received by faith at salvation.

At salvation, you received the life of Christ, and your old man was nailed to the cross. You were reckoned dead to sin but alive in Christ Jesus! You have been made new because you received the life of Christ. This new life in Christ is central to our purpose.

II Corinthians 5:15

New King James Version

15 And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

As a new creation in Christ, the life you have is no longer yours to live. You are to live for His name. This scripture brings to mind that your purpose is now in Christ. You are now to live for Christ and this is how purpose becomes defined for the believer. At new birth, the will of the Saviour becomes the purpose of the saved.

I Timothy 2:4

New King James Version

4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

To answer the question of purpose plainly, our purpose on earth is to know Jesus and to make Him known. This is fulfilled by earnestly preaching the gospel of salvation, reconciling the world to Him, and experiencing progress and joy in our faith. Every believer’s life is marked by this singular purpose.

On this note, we must realize that purpose is not synonymous with success; rather, purpose defines success. Purpose is the reason for which we were created, and at which we must succeed or else every other thing we succeed at will not matter. Nothing else will matter if we fail at our purpose.

Purpose also involves sacrifice, demanding our time, resources, and strength. It often requires stepping out of our comfort zones.

Purpose is not about happiness. Happiness is a by-product of purpose, not the goal. Pursuing happiness can lead to disappointment when faced with persecution and challenges.

Jesus Christ lived a purposeful life and prioritized the will of the Father over His happiness. Our greatest happiness should come from walking in purpose and doing God’s will.

Finally, the paradox of purpose is that it is worth both living and dying for. As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:21, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain,” fulfilling God’s will, even at the cost of our lives, is ultimately gain. If you are at a crossroads, wondering about your purpose, realize that your purpose is in Christ.

Anything outside of God’s plan for you will not bring true fulfillment. God desires for you to walk in His plans and purpose more than you do. He wants to lead you on your journey through life.

Prayer Point:

Thank you Father for the understanding that I have received about the subject of purpose. I pray that from today my life is marked by a the desire to know you and to make you known.