Many of us ask the infamous questions, "what's next, what's my purpose, what is God calling me to do?" We all search to answer that life-long question especially as we walk through life's major transitions. There's something inside us that longs for inner satisfaction, mission, and a purpose larger than ourselves. In our attempts to answer the question, we often throw around words such as; job, work, career, occupation, profession, calling, and vocation. But in which one do we find God's purpose for our lives?
As a united body of believers and peers on this journey of becoming more like Christ, we had this great teaching and discussion during our most recent young adults service here at the Highlands. Some things we know through scripture are that God works things for His good as seen in Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” We also know that if we pursue righteousness in our lives and seek God He will direct our steps. Psalm 37:23 echos this by saying, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” So how then do we find His will, His purposes for our lives? Well we know we can trust the Lord to direct our steps as we seek Him. Proverbs 3:5-8 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him"…In how many of your ways? Some, a few, a couple… ALL. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him! In all that you do acknowledge Him.…”And He shall" He might? He will think about it? He WILL, He SHALL…"Direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from Evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” We are to seek the Lord, to trust Him with everything, and believe He has the best intentions in mind. We can trust Him with our lives because He has good plans for us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." This is assuring! This is good news as we release our will and lives to Him! But what is vocation? What is my purpose?
Well vocation is the unique calling that is upon the life of each person. It is the reason you are who you are and why you do what you do. It is lived out within, through, and beyond our regular responsibilities. Vocation, if aligned correctly in our lives, can be applied to your family, work, ministry and all other areas of your life. It is what gives our lives purpose, satisfaction, contribution, and meaning. A place where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep needs. It is what you are made to do, what you are made to accomplish.
Jesus for example, says in John 18:37, "For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth." This was His vocation, His ultimate purpose. By His ability to understand His vocation, His purpose, no matter what happened He was able to be fulfilled and satisfied because He was doing what He knew He was created to do. Even in our lives, when we are walking in our vocation and calling, things can still become difficult. But if we know our purpose, our calling, then we can always walk with purpose knowing we are doing and being exactly who God created us to be.
We can now be released from finding our identity in our careers. We can be released from the stress of worrying about what's next. If God directs our path, then our responsibility is to seek God, go deeper in our relationship with Him, seek to know Him more than ever! This takes the pressure of the question, "what's next" because it's not for us to figure out.
So I invite you to seek God, search for His voice, His will, and calling upon your life. Examine your inner passions, gifts-both spiritual and natural, find out what you enjoy doing most, and through prayer, journaling and time with the Lord, ask Him to reveal to you His purpose, His vocation for your life.
