What is our purpose in life?

I know that I have thought long and hard about this question. I just don’t find that it is always the easiest question to answer, however, I will try. First, though, I think that we need to look at the actual definition of the word, purpose, then go from there.

According to Oxford Languages, the definition of purpose is “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” Hmmm…. okay. Another thing that I looked up were synonyms for purpose, and according to http://www.merriam-webster.com, “some common synonyms of purpose are aim, design, end, goal, intention, intent, objective, and object. While all these words mean “what one intends to accomplish or attain,” purpose suggest a more settled determination.” Okay, I think now we are getting somewhere…

I guess if we look at our purpose in an “everyday” view, then we can say that our purpose may be to live a good and fruitful life or maybe to leave it better than we found it. That, I think, would be a lofty and noble purpose in life. However, I want to challenge you in thinking about adding God into that mix.

So, what do you think that God’s purpose is for you?

This is where it can get more personalized to you, or more specifically to what your talents are and how you use them to help others. You see, God is not just about us helping ourselves in the world. I know that He wants us to help others. How do I know that? Well, it says so in the Bible, according to Jesus, in Matthew 26:40, He states that “And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me’ ” And because Jesus is of God, then what we have done to help others, we are doing for God, Himself, as well. Whoo! Isn’t that crazy? So, I’m saying that anytime that you helped someone else in some form or fashion, you have been fulfilling some of your purpose in life. It’s as simple as that. Isn’t that something? We help God, by helping His people! It doesn’t get much better than that, to my way of thinking!

So, what did I learn from this? My purpose, I feel, is to scatter joy. (Related post: God Calls Us to Scatter Joy Like Seeds to Others). I also have found that my purpose may also be to share knowledge. Trust me, when I tell you that I have learned many, many things as I have lived my life. I also have found that God wanted me to share those “little nuggets” of knowledge in a positive and non-threatening way. Yes, as a people, our focus needs to change. It needs to be more on God than on the worldly things going on around us. God has a purpose in everything that He does, but we need to trust Him more.

What can you gain from this? God has given each of us our own unique talents. So, how are you using yours to help others? If you have money, then give to a worthy cause that helps others. Go work in a soup kitchen. Buy a meal for someone who looks like they could use it. Help an elderly person to cross the street….. the list is endless. My whole point is that you can be changed when you see the needs around you and then do just a little bit to help. You never know the impact that you may have on that person’s life or even your own.