For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
Jeremiah 29:11-14, NKJV
Everyone says “what’s my purpose” at sometime or another. Sometimes it’s a simple “what if” as you fall asleep at night or desperate hope when the world crashes around you.
Much like all of us, the heroes of the Bible often struggled with this. We often want to see exactly what God has planned for us from now to the end of time. But it doesn’t usually work that way. So how do we figure out where he wants us and what he wants us to do.
Shouts and Whispers
God’s voice isn’t always the thundering that made the Israelites quake at the bottom of Mount Sinai. Sometimes his voice is a whisper, or a gut-feeling. Sometimes he says what he wants through dreams or through other people.
It may not be as grand as “become a missionary in Thailand.” It could be as simple as “go talk to the woman in the red shirt and tell her I love her.”
He will often tell us to do little things that might seem insignificant, but are far from it. He might be using those things to lead you to your destiny and glorify his name.
The Planning Stages
From before the foundation of the world, God already knew you. He knew who you were going to be down to the tiniest details. He also knew what he made you for.
Sounds really cool, but a little scary. However, He already knew every heartbreak, every triumph. He knew the day you would look up and pray “God, what do you want?”
Every single second of time he has been in the planning stages of building who you will become.
Going With Courage
It’s hard to step out in your calling. If you’re like me, you may second guess, a lot. God often doesn’t show you the whole plan because if you saw it, you would probably flip out.
In 2021 I was hired on as a part-time office manager at a daycare. Did I want to do it? No, I did not. But God made it clear that was supposed to be there. In May of 2022 I actually became a teacher there. Did I ever think I would be teaching at a daycare? Nope. But he had the whole thing planned out.
In 2023 when I started this blog, I had had the idea for years actually. I had tried to get it going many times, with no success. But in March of 2023 it finally happened.
Fear is a strong tool the the enemy uses to try and get us to reject our destiny and forfeit the amazing things that are in store. When you start feel that fear starting creep in, renounce it and send it to the feet of Jesus. Then ask God where the door is that is letting that fear in.
Every single step you take in faith toward the plan he has for you isn’t in vain. He doesn’t hang you out to dry. He will be with you.
What’s My Purpose?
Your purpose may not always seem clear. God may ask you to do things that don’t make sense or push you out of your comfort zone.
But no matter what, your destiny is held in his hands. He has a great plan for your life. He created you to be a warrior for his kingdom. From before you were born, your story was already known. That fact alone should be enough to show how much cares.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!
Psalms 139:16-17, NIV
