How to Understand the Biblical Principle of purpose

Imagine life as a journey on a winding path. Sometimes it’s straight and clear, full of sunshine and joyful experiences. Other times, it’s full of twists, turns, storms, and uncertain circumstances. The principle of purpose is like having a map that guides you through this journey, providing direction and clarity even in the most challenging times. It helps you understand where you are, where you’re going, and why you’re on this path in the first place.

What is Purpose?

Simply put, purpose is the unique reason why you exist. It’s the special role or calling that only you can fulfill. Purpose is God’s intentional design for our lives.

In Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), God says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse tells us that God has a specific plan for each of us, and it’s a plan meant for our good.

Another verse that highlights this is Ephesians 2:10 (NIV): “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This emphasizes that we are uniquely crafted by God to accomplish specific good works that He has already planned for us.

Romans 8:28 (NIV) says: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This reassures us that God orchestrates everything in our lives for our good and according to His divine purpose.

Understanding your purpose can transform how you navigate life’s ups and downs. It provides a sense of meaning, direction, and fulfillment in everything you do. Think of Abraham, who understood God’s call to leave his homeland for a greater purpose (Genesis 12:1-4 NIV). Or Esther, who realized her purpose to save her people (Esther 4:14 NIV). Moses embraced his purpose to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10 NIV), and Paul dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles after encountering Christ (Acts 9:15-16 NIV). These stories remind us that in discovering your God-given purpose, a clear path begins to form, allowing you to live it out and make an influential impact.

How Does Purpose Reflect God’s Character?

The principle of purpose shows God’s intentionality and wisdom in every aspect of our lives, guiding us toward His ultimate plan for us. In Romans 8:29-30, we see how God’s purpose involves foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justifying, and glorifying us:

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” – Romans 8:29-30 (NIV)

Foreknowledge means that God knew you intimately even before you existed. He knew all about your strengths, weaknesses, flaws and faults. He loved you from the very beginning and he designed you with a unique purpose to fulfill. His plans are not random—they’re based on His deep, personal knowledge of who you are. 

Predestination means that God decided long ago what your destiny would be. Psalms 139:16 (NIV) says, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” This verse illustrates that God has a detailed plan for your life, with every day and every accomplishment related to your purpose already written in His book. It emphasizes that nothing in your life is by chance; everything is part of His intentional design for you.

His ultimate goal for you is to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. This means striving to become more like Jesus in your character and actions, reflecting His love, kindness, and integrity in your daily life.

God’s calling is that special moment when He invites you to enter a personal relationship with Him. When you respond with faith and repentance, you begin to walk in the purpose He has set for you. In this stage, start gaining clarity about your greater calling, and God reveals how to bring it to life.

Justification is a legal term that means being declared righteous. Through faith in Jesus, our sins are forgiven, and we are made right with God. This crucial step restores our broken relationship with Him, allowing us to live in His grace and truth, and enabling us to pursue our purpose.

Glorification is the final step in God’s redemptive plan, where you come into the fullness of what you were purposed to do. It means being fully transformed and brought into God’s presence. This signifies the completion of your journey—where you are perfected and fully conformed to the image of His Son. It’s the ultimate fulfillment of your purpose and destiny.

How to Discover Your Purpose

Whatever your purpose is, you have DNA or substance that makes you gravitate toward it. The desires in your heart will pull you toward what God has called you to do. Your purpose is not something you create, it’s something you discover. 

1. Identify Things You Enjoy, and Have Enjoyed Since You Were a Child

• Reflect on Childhood Interests: Think back to the activities and hobbies that excited you as a child. What did you love to do in your free time? Whether it was drawing, playing sports, building things, or helping others, these early interests can reveal your innate passions.
• Maintain a Joy Journal: Start a journal where you document activities that bring you joy. Over time, you might notice patterns or recurring themes that highlight your core interests.
• Reconnect with Old Hobbies: Sometimes, reconnecting with an old hobby or activity you enjoyed as a child can reignite a passion that aligns with your purpose. Consider revisiting these interests and exploring how they fit into your life now.

2. Evaluate What Skills, Abilities, and Talents You Have and How They May Relate to Your Purpose

• List Your Strengths: Make a list of your skills, abilities, and talents. Consider both your professional skills and personal talents. This could include anything from problem-solving and creativity to leadership and empathy.
• Match Skills to Potential Purposes: Think about how your skills can be applied in different areas of life. For example, if you have a talent for teaching, your purpose might involve educating others or mentoring.
• Seek Feedback: Ask friends, family, and colleagues for their perspective on your strengths. Sometimes others can see our abilities more clearly than we can. Their feedback can provide valuable insights into how your skills relate to your purpose.

3. Think About Something That Comes Naturally to You

• Identify Natural Talents: Consider the activities that you find easy and enjoyable, where you seem to excel without much effort. These natural talents are often indicators of your purpose.
• Analyze Your Flow States: Reflect on moments when you are so engaged in an activity that you lose track of time. These “flow states” can highlight areas where your natural abilities shine.
• Utilize Your Gifts: Once you identify your natural talents, think about how you can use them to contribute to others and make a positive impact. Your purpose often lies in areas where your natural abilities meet the world’s needs.

4. Reflect on What Other People Have Complimented You On

• Recall Compliments and Praise: Think about the positive feedback you’ve received from others over the years. What do people often compliment you on? This can provide clues about your strengths and how they align with your purpose.
• Collect Testimonials: Keep a collection of testimonials, thank-you notes, and compliments you’ve received. Reviewing these can boost your confidence and offer insights into how others perceive your contributions.
• Seek Biblical Affirmation: Learn what God says about you. Remind yourself that He created every person with a spiritual gift to fulfill your unique purpose. Strengthen your confidence by seeing yourself through God’s perspective of you.

God loves you and wants you to experience ultimate joy, peace and love. That happens by living out His purpose for your life.