The Fallacy Sessions: Life’s Purpose

“I need to know my purpose.”

We all want to know what we’ll do in life. This has a double meaning for Christians, as we’re also trying to figure out God’s will for our lives. I’m not the first to say I’ve struggled in the search to find God’s calling, and I certainly won’t be the last. Odds are you’re the same.

We all want to use the time and resources we have to make a difference.

What is God’s will?

This is a challenging question, since God’s will for one person will be completely different from His will for another person. Let me back up. Christian apologist Sean McDowell says there are two types of “wills” that God has for us: moral will and sovereign will.

Moral will sounds exactly like what it is. God’s moral will is for us to obey what the Bible says, refrain from immorality, do what our government says (unless it goes against the Bible), and so forth. God’s moral will applies to everyone. Unfortunately, many miss the moral will because they’re over-focused on the sovereign will.

God’s sovereign will refers to His plan for our lives. It refers to what He wants to accomplish in the long run. He wants you to be a part of His plan. But what does that look like? I think it means aligning whatever our life’s purpose may be with God’s purpose.

What is our purpose?

The world promises us things that are supposed to make our lives great: money, stuff, power, fame, sex, drugs, comfort, reputation, etc. However, these things don’t last. As Matthew 6:19 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”

Instead, Jesus offers us a greater purpose: glorifying Him. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

While that will look different for everyone, the baseline is the same. Maybe we won’t be professors of apologetics, authors, or public speakers (like Sean McDowell), but that doesn’t make our purpose any less valuable. That said…

How do we reflect Jesus?

Let me be a little vulnerable with you: last year I struggled with knowing what the purpose of my life should be. I wondered what I should be doing, and where God was taking me. Looking back now, I see that there were good things that came out of asking these hard questions.

Two things stood out from this season:

1. We don’t have to know everything right away. As a teenager, should I be expected to know what the next few decades of my life will look like? Not at all. Only God is in control of that, and when we start trying to plan our lives for ourselves, well, now we’ve made that into an idol.

2. Not knowing my “ultimate purpose” doesn’t excuse me from making a difference now. My mom’s constant reminder was, “Even if you don’t know where you’re going, you can still be a light where you are.” Don’t get so caught up in looking towards the future and your “purpose” that you miss what’s in the present. Reflect Jesus now.

God’s will is…you.

I’m sorry if you thought I would give you a foolproof formula for finding purpose. I’m afraid only time with God will yield that result. I’ve been praying through this for years now, and while I have gotten answers, I still can’t see the big picture. That’s what makes it so amazing to trust God – He’s in control.

In Sean McDowell’s book, A Rebel’s Manifesto, chapter 25 covers the topic of God’s will for your life. The final page (225) was especially striking…

God’s will is not something hidden that you have to find. Rather, God’s will is you. You see, God is more concerned with the type of person you are becoming and how that shapes the way you love him and others than he is about [what you do] …. God’s will is that you are conformed to the image of his Son.

Live a life worth living.

In the end, whether you think you know your purpose or not, the only thing that matters is whether you live a life for Christ. Whether you’re reaching 1 million people or 1 person doesn’t matter as long as you have the right heart. It’s a fallacy to believe that we need some kind of ultimate purpose to make a difference or feel fulfilled. If we trust God in the here and now, He will show us His path. Until then, make a difference where you are today.

There’s a quote attributed to former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln that goes, “In the end it’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years.” I’ve heard of people who died old and said they never really lived, and I’ve heard of people who died young but lived an amazing life. Why?

Because it doesn’t matter how long or how short your life is – what matters is how you live those years, and Who you seek to glorify.

I’ll leave you with these inspiring words from the apostle Paul, found in 1 Corinthians 9:24b-27 (NIV). They’re worth keeping in mind.

“Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games [life] goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly … no, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Don’t get so caught up on the finish line that you miss the joy of the race – glorifying God.