BY SHILA ANDERSON
I have been pondering the question of purpose quite a bit lately. For many months, I poured all of my time into preparing and planning for our Leap of Faith Conference. After the conference was over, I felt deflated. What am I supposed to do with my life now? What is my purpose? God, what do you want me to do with my time? I know that I’m a wife and a mother, but I yearn for something more – something that will make an impact on others, not just my family.
After some time in prayer and reflection, I discovered that my purpose is to help women see who they are in Christ – to show them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. But when I’m not up on the platform sharing a message, how can I fulfill this?
God reminded me that He placed the gift of encouragement inside of me. Wherever I am, I have the ability to speak life into someone. What simple message of encouragement can I give? Do I have a prophetic word from the Holy Spirit that I can share with someone? When I pray and ask and listen, He will direct me who to speak to. I just have to be obedient. This is how I can fulfill my purpose.
What is your purpose? What are you good at? What gifts has God deposited inside of you? Can you help others with your gift? Maybe you have a beautiful voice (NOT my gift), and the worship team is looking for a new singer. Are you super organized and good at decluttering (again, NOT my gift) and can help someone clean out a room, like my niece did for me? You may be an excellent cook, and there is a family in the neighborhood who is going through a rough time and could really use a good, home-cooked meal. Are you a really strong student? That girl in youth group is struggling in school. Perhaps you could tutor her.
If you are trying to answer the same question I was, you need to spend some time with the Lord. Get down on your knees, pray intently, and simply ask Him to reveal the gifts that He has deposited inside of you and how you can use them for His purposes.
You were created on purpose, with purpose woven within you.