In Psalm 57:2, David writes, “My soul takes refuge in you, Lord. May my soul find refuge in you, and may I find my purpose in your love.”
Here, David reminds us that our purpose in life is not found in material possessions, temporary pleasures, or worldly success. Our purpose is found in God’s love. We were created to love and be loved by Him, and to share that love with others.
But what does it mean to find our purpose in God’s love? It means that we surrender our lives to Him, allowing Him to guide and direct us. It means that we seek to know Him more intimately, to understand His plans and purposes for our lives.
As we seek to live according to God’s will, we find that our lives take on new meaning and purpose. We begin to see that our struggles and triumphs, our joys and sorrows, are all part of a larger story — God’s story of redemption and grace.
What is God’s purpose for my life?
In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Here, God reveals that He has a plan for our lives, a plan to prosper us, not to harm us, but to give us a hope and a future. But what does that mean practically?
In Colossians 1:16, Paul writes, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
This verse reminds us that God created us for a purpose, and that purpose is to glorify Him. Whether we are teachers, doctors, artists, or stay-at-home parents, our ultimate goal is to bring glory to God in all that we do.
But how do we do that? In 1 Peter 4:10, we are called to “use whatever gift you have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
Here, we see that God has given us unique gifts and talents to serve others, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to demonstrate His grace and love to a world in need.
What purpose do we have in others’ lives according to the Bible?
In 1 Corinthians 12:22, Paul writes, “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function.”
Here, Paul reminds us that we are all part of the body of Christ, and that we each have a unique role to play in the lives of others. We are called to use our gifts and talents to serve others, to build them up, and to encourage them in their faith.
In Romans 12:10, we are called to “love one another with brotherly affection and outdo one another in showing honor.”
This verse reminds us that our purpose in others’ lives is to love them sacrificially, to put their needs before our own, and to honor them above ourselves.
In Galatians 6:2, we are called to “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Here, we see that our purpose is to support and carry one another’s burdens, to walk alongside those who are struggling, and to demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ.
And in Hebrews 10:24–25, we are called to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…but encouraging one another.”
This verse reminds us that our purpose is to stir one another up to love and good works, to gather together regularly, and to encourage one another in our walk with God.
What does God require of us? What does He want from our lives?
In Micah 6:8, God tells us: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Here, we see that God requires three things from us: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him.
To act justly means to live according to God’s standards of righteousness and justice, to treat others fairly and with compassion.
To love mercy means to show kindness and grace to others, to be merciful even as God has been merciful to us.
And to walk humbly with God means to recognize our dependence on Him, to surrender our lives to His guidance and direction.
In Matthew 22:37–40, Jesus summarizes the entire law into two commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And love your neighbour as yourself.”
Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our being, and loving others as ourselves.
In 1 John 3:23–24, we are reminded: “And this is his commandment: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God and God in him.”
Believing in Jesus and loving one another are the hallmarks of a life lived in obedience to God’s requirements.
May we strive to fulfil these requirements with joy and enthusiasm, knowing that God’s commands are for our good and His glory. May we embrace our purpose in others’ lives with humility and joy, knowing that we are called to build up the body of Christ and to bring glory to God in all we do. So, what is God’s purpose for your life? It is to know Him, to love Him, and to serve others in His name.
May we all embrace this purpose with joy and enthusiasm, knowing that our lives have meaning and significance in Him. So let us remember that our purpose in life is not something we find in ourselves or in the world around us. Our purpose is found in God’s love, and it is only when we surrender to that love that we truly begin to live. May we all find our refuge in Him, and may His love be the source of our purpose and meaning in life. Amen.
