Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life is? Or have you ever wondered if your life had any meaning at all? I know I have. From the many stories I hear in the news, I can’t help but feel like a lot of people have thought about those two questions. In those times, we tend to throw ourselves into anything we think will give our lives meaning. Things like a job, a relationship, a cause, or a hobby. At times, those who lose hope in finding that purpose drive themselves to drink, doing drugs, or even committing suicide.

    It saddens me to think that most people look for answers in the things made by man. What they don’t realize is that these things are empty. You can have the highest position at your job, money, prestige…you can achieve all of your earthly goals and yet still feel empty inside. Something else we do is compare ourselves to others. We see others “success” or how much “farther along” others are in life and we feel inferior.  We need to stop focusing on the world around us and start focusing on Jesus. Our true purpose is found in God.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2

    There was a time in my life where I felt that same despair. In my mind, I was nothing special. I would go to school and see how close others were with their friends and wondered if anyone would miss me if I wasn’t there. I couldn’t help but wonder if my life would ever make an impact. It wasn’t until I started focusing on God that I finally saw that my life had meaning. God showed me that I had a purpose. 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8: 28

    Each of us has been given a gift. Romans 12:6-8 gives us a list of the gifts that we are given through the spirit. There is the gift of prophecy. This doesn’t mean you go around telling the future, but instead, it is more like preaching and proclaiming the Word of God. Then there is the gift of service or ministry. This does not just apply to being active in the church. Those with the gift of service happily go around helping those around them. Teaching is another one of the gifts. This one is simple. The person with this gift can understand and interpret many things and willingly helps others understand what they have learned.

    Next comes the gift of exhortation. By definition, exhort means to urge strongly. Those with this gift are encouragers. They want to help others by giving advice, comfort, and warning. The next gift is giving. This gift is not just limited to being charitable with one’s money. This person is also happy to give their time and effort to help others. There is the gift of leading. Leaders will stand before others and give direction with diligence. These people are earnest and have a strategy on how to follow through with a plan. The last gift is mercy. These are probably the most empathetic people you know. They are armed with great sensitivity to understand others. Those with this gift find ways to help those who are going through a hard time.

    These are just some of the gifts given to us through the Spirit. The reason God gave them to us is to use them for his plans. I cannot tell you what your gift is. It took me a long time to even understand what my gift is. However, you have a special gift that was given specifically to you. It was given to you for a purpose. These gifts give us the ability to take part in God’s will. We each have our part to play.

“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” – Romans 12:4-5

    I, personally, don’t know if I am meant to make a huge impact in this life. However, what I do know is that I do have a purpose. I am meant to be here talking to you guys. So, if I am able to help even just one of you, I know my life will have meant something. We are here to help each other…to encourage one another. I want to remind you this week that God loves you and He has a place for you in His plan. If you do not know what that is, pray to Him and He will give you the wisdom to understand your purpose.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” – 1 Peter 2:9