Finding Your Why

God may never ask you to build an ark, become a pastor, or to find a cure for cancer. But he does want something for you. He has a narrative for your life. Here’s how I’d like to frame our conversation:

Discovering your purpose is about finding something to live for.

Our first passage comes at the end of a discussion about people and their place with God. Prior to Jesus, we were spiritually dead and off track. But because of his great love towards us, God took action and offered us the chance to be made alive in Christ. How did this happen? Jesus paid the price on cross.

You don’t earn favor with God – you receive favor from God. It’s why Paul will write these words:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – 9 not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

This is the starting point; it’s not the end. For some – this is all you need to hear today: God loves you … Jesus died for you … All you have to do is accept in his free gift (have faith).

Regardless if you start today or you started 25 years ago, here’s the point Paul is leading up to:

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

The first step in finding your life purpose is to believe that you have a purpose in life. Let’s break it down this way:

Handiwork. You are the craftmanship of God, someone that God has created and is continuing to work on. He is able to take the various parts of you – skills, abilities, education, mistakes – and create a masterpiece.

Created in Christ Jesus. As Christians, our true identity is not found in our skills, abilities, education, or mistakes. Our true identity is created in Christ Jesus.

Good works. God created you in Christ Jesus to do something – but not just anything. He created you in Christ Jesus to do good works.

Prepared in advance. I love this part! We serve a proactive, forward-thinking God. You don’t have invent anything new to please God. You simply need to discover and do what God has already prepared for you.

There are millions of people who aren’t excited about going to work. They assume life won’t ever get any better. To them, life’s not an adventure – it’s boring. I can’t talk to the millions, but you’re a captive audience! Here’s what I want to you to know:

Don’t settle for something to live on. Pursue something to live for.

This was how Jesus lived. It’s how he calls us to live …

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

From the very beginning of creation, God has been the source of light both spiritually and literally. When darkness was over surface of the deep – let there be light. Jesus did the same thing with a world in spiritual darkness. Now he’s given us the same task, power, and ability.

Jesus says you “are” the light of the world. Not past tense … something that was once true of you. Not future tense … not about one day or when the kids grow up. It’s in the present tense … right now, in the current season.

Let me offer two simple ways to find meaning by shining your light.

Solve problems. Since the time of Jesus, Christians have been problem solvers – created hospitals, colleges, and homeless shelters. Find a problem that resonates with you and start working on it.

Help somebody. God has wired us to thrive on relationships. Science agrees with Jesus: it is better to give than to receive. Finding something to live for will always involve someone else – another individual or a group of people or an entire nation.

Here’s the key: Don’t just stay alive. Find something to live for.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column]

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