“How do I cope with a meaningless life?” How do I go about finding purpose?
“Why does it feel like so many people have life figured out and know what they want?”
“How do you find purpose?”
“How can I discover my purpose in life?”
Man’s Frustration
These are the voices of frustration and disillusionment. Many people, from all walks of life, eventually reach a point where they must pause and ask, “Is this really all there is?” Unfortunately, for some, this frustration leads to despair, and they tragically choose to end their lives, giving up on life altogether. Humanity has always been in search of meaning and purpose.
Ecclesiastes 1:11 (Amplified Bible) says:
“He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.”
Some hope to find meaning through wealth, fame, power, or prestige. But, like King Solomon, they often conclude that these pursuits are ultimately meaningless. Solomon, who had everything, chased after every desire. Yet, in Ecclesiastes, he declares the outcome of his pursuits to be “vanity.” In the end, all is vanity.
What is Your Purpose?
We may be tempted to believe that we are not fulfilling our purpose because we are not in the limelight or leading grand lives. But that’s not the case. Behind every major achievement, there are countless people working behind the scenes to make it possible. Similarly, there are many individuals whose contributions go unnoticed by the world but are nonetheless fulfilling their purpose.
Some discover their purpose early in life, while for others, it takes time to discern where their talents, skills, and calling are leading them. Often, we take for granted the things that come naturally to us, not realizing that they point to what has been ingrained in us. For example, like Barnabas (the “son of encouragement”), we may be natural encouragers. Lydia, a God-fearing businesswoman, was likely wealthy and influential. She provided financial support and hospitality, particularly to the Apostle Paul (Acts 16:13-15). That was her role in God’s kingdom.
Bezalel and Oholiab were gifted artisans.
In Exodus 31, we read:
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge, and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.’” (Exodus 31:2-5, NIV)
These skilled craftsmen designed and created the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and priestly garments. God called upon their extraordinary talents and abilities, which were not dormant but actively used in their work as artisans.
Consider Joseph, who had natural talents for business administration and management.
His gifts made room for him wherever he went. God used every experience in Joseph’s life to fulfill His purpose. Joseph said, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. So, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” (Genesis 45:7-8).
The Apostle Paul, an inherently talented orator, was deeply knowledgeable about the Mosaic law. He initially zealously pursued those he believed were lawbreakers. He tells us, “I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison.” (Acts 22:3-4)
Paul’s talents—his knowledge, debate skills, and zeal—were all used by God to spread the Gospel. Tarsus, Paul’s birthplace, was famous for housing one of the finest libraries in the ancient world and was a major hub of education. His mentor, Gamaliel, was considered one of the most esteemed rabbis in history. God used all of Paul’s skills, talents, and personality traits to advance His Kingdom.
We Were Created for a Purpose
We are all born with purpose, created by a purposeful Designer. It is our responsibility to pursue the purpose for which we were made.
God has a singular, overarching purpose for all creation. According to Thomas A. Tarrants, “God’s grand purpose for the world to come is in the process of coming into being through the redeeming and restoring work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Christ, and by the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, God is preparing a people to populate His new world. His purpose is to conform them to the image of Christ.”
We are all part of this divine plan, playing our roles as God intended. Whether in business, education, government, law, healthcare, science, or technology, we are called to use the talents and skills God has given us. Our purpose is to bring glory to God in whatever we do.
Life will not feel frustrating and meaningless if we understand that the purpose of our lives is for the glory of God. We are always working for His Kingdom. Without this understanding, people will inevitably feel lost, as they have no higher purpose to guide them.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:19: “If we who are in Christ have hoped only in this life, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.” How much worse it must be for those who do not have Christ and the hope He provides.
Our Hope in Christ
We have hope because we are not living for this life alone but for the one to come. When we come to Christ, we begin to pursue His Kingdom, and everything we engage in must reflect this purpose. As we contemplate our careers, business pursuits, and relationships, we seek God’s counsel. We actively engage our God-given wisdom, skills, and abilities, acknowledging Him in all our ways so that He can direct our path. As He promises in Isaiah 30:21, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”
The way in which God will use us for His Kingdom and the lives of others may not be immediately obvious. We may not experience the dramatic center-stage moments like Moses, Esther, or Paul. But, as Psalm 119:91 says, “All things serve You.” With time, we will recognize the pattern and understand how God is using us to accomplish His purpose.
As we make ourselves available to Him, He continues the process of making us more into His likeness and use us more for his glory. Everyday we find our peace and joy in Him.
A Prayer for Finding Purpose and Destiny
Heavenly Father,
I come before You with an open heart, seeking to understand the purpose and destiny You have designed for my life. Guide me with Your wisdom and truth, and help me recognize the gifts and calling You have placed within me. May Your Word be a light to my path, showing me the steps to take and the direction to follow.
Fill me with a deeper understanding of Your divine plan, and grant me the courage to walk faithfully in it. I trust that You have a purpose for my life, and I surrender to Your will, knowing that in You, all things find meaning and fulfillment.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.