The Ultimate GUide to Discovering your life's Purpose

 

How can I live Optimally, and fulfill what I was created to do?

In this fast-paced life, it's easy to be caught up within the cogs of time, not really making the best of ourselves and fulfilling the purpose for our lives. Sometimes  we are unsure of what really matters in life, which means we may be chasing after the wind after all.

But deep within we thirst to discover the core reason why we were created individually, and live out the best. Everyone wants to make the best of their lives.

Finding the purpose and meaning for your life is not a matter of destiny, but being fulfilled and happy in your life. It is the secret ingredient for a life well lived. 

So, what is this animal called purpose in life?

Defining Purpose

To effectively define purpose, you must ask yourself these questions:::::::

What makes you wake up every morning, your career, a relationship, a cause....?

What turns you on, what makes you tick?

What are you so passionate about, you can give your life for it?

Life's purpose is not a one-size-fits-all: It's a different experience for different people. But despite being different, the similarity is that purpose is the driving force, the thing that makes you wake up every morning.

It gives us direction in life and helps us gauge where we are against where we want to be. To find the purpose for your lif eis to find fulfilment and a summation of your core values. Is this all there is to Life's purpose?

Why is is Important?

If life's purpose were just a clause in the dictionary to be studied, we would not care much for it, but it is utterly important in our lives for several reasons:

1: Fulfilment and Joy

When you live in line with your purpose, you have a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. Your life stops being just a mechanical chase after things that don't really matter, but an uplifting experience.

As John 10:10 says, Christ came so that we may have life and have it to the full. Life lived in line with purpose is a life lived in abundance, and a satisfying life.

2: Direction and Clarity

As you discover  your purpose, you become more clear on what you want to do with you rlife. Instead of groping around in the dark, you can now see clearly what lies ahead, the turns and twists you need to navigate. 

But more of that clarity comes from God, the creator and originator of life's purpose. That's why we are advised to trust in Him in Proverbs 3:5-6

When everything is clearer, and with a more defined sense of direction, decisions are more easier to make and better advised, and life is more focused.

3: Resilience

knowing the purpose of you life gives you strength to weather down all sorts of tribulations. After all, you have your eyes set on the ultimate goal, and you are chasing it with all your being. 

In the same vein, you know that beyond the trials lies the joy of success. This is the force that keeps you going despite the hardships. As the Bible tells us in Romans,

Romans 8:28

New International Version

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

4: Connection with others

Most often, our purpose in life is to serve others. In fact, even the most selfish ambitions have a connection to service.

As humans, we are created social beings. We need others the same way they need us. You can't thrive alone. You need others,regardless of what you own. Service to others brings you closer to them by forging working relationships and even ties that extend beyond profession.

In this light, use your gifts in service and experience the joy of connection, and its warmth. As the 1st epistle of Peter tells us:

1 Peter 4:10

New International Version

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

How to Discover Your Life's Purpose

There is no better joy than to discover the reason why you live. Here are some tips towards discovering your purpose in life:

1: Consider your passions

God is a master planner: He placed passions in our lives to point us towards the reason why we live. These are activities we enjoy doing, causes to wake up to, things we'd do with all our hearts, as if we were dong for God, as the book of Colossians tells us:

Colossians 3:23

New International Version

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

2: Your Strengths

As said earlier, th eMaster Planner already blessed us with strengths and gifted us differently, each to serve a unique purpose. If you identify your strengths you will be able to more easily accomplish your purpose in life.

Romans 12:6

New Living Translation

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.

Exploit your strengths and achieve your life's purpose. By identifying and utilizing your strengths, you can fulfill the purpose God has for you.

3: Listen to your inner voice

God, through the Holy Spirit, is always speaking to you, guiding you towards your purpose. This is what we are told in the book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 30:21

New Living Translation

21 Your own ears will hear him.
    Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
    whether to the right or to the left.

Prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to direct you, and follow his instruction. You will be surprised how closer you are to fulfilling your purpose in life.

4: Explore and experiment.

Who said the way should be that obvious and smooth? Sometimes, discovering what really matters in you life includes stepping out in faith. Don't be afraid to try out new approaches in life. Consider every new path you choose as a seed you sow. We can use ecclesiastical wisdom:

Ecclesiastes 11:6

New Living Translation

6 Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.

5: Experiences

Your ups and downs in life can shed light on your true purpose in life. Be attentive to where those experiences ar pointing you. Consider what we are told in the book of James:

James 1:2-4

New Living Translation

Faith and Endurance

2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

6: Seek inspiration

A person once said " If you want to walk fast, walk alone, but if you want to go far, ...." Surround yourself with people whop can help shape your life for the better, be they advisors, spiritual advisors, uplifting literature, and most importantly the word of God.

Proverbs 15:22

New International Version

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
    but with many advisers they succeed.

Wisdom and inspiration from others and from the word of God will help you discover your path.

Embrace your path

Now that you have discovered what matters in your life, it's time to embrace your purpose and live it out to the fullest. This will include cutting back on what no longer makes sense and making changes in your life.

You need to step into the unknown. Like the lepers who became food merchants overnight, step out of your comfort zone and meet your purpose. The good thing is that you are not alone. This is what the Bible tells us in Philippians:

Philippians 4:13

New Living Translation

13 For I can do everything through Christ,[a] who gives me strength.

Your purpose is a gift from God, meant to be shared with the world. As you walk in your purpose, you will find not only personal fulfillment but also the joy of knowing that you are contributing to a greater good. Ephesians 2:10 beautifully captures this: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Your life’s purpose is God’s work in you—embrace it, live it, and let it shine as a light to others.

Discovering your life’s purpose is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a life lived with intention, passion, and divine alignment. It’s about waking up each day with a sense of purpose, knowing that you are walking the path that God has set before you. May your journey be blessed, and may you find the peace and joy that comes from living a life of true purpose.

An Easy Recipe for Spiritual Growth

 How to Cultivate a Deeper Relationship with God

I want to be closer to God, both mentally and emotionally..... spiritually. This is a statement we often hear, especially when we are drafting those new- year resolutions. But do we really achieve that?

In the modern world, it's easy to get caught up in the daily craze to meet deadlines, and, generally, to make ends meet. We often get our diaries filled up for the whole week, utterly forgetting about the most important thing in life: God.

In this post am going to share easy steps you can take to grow in faith and cement your relationship with God.

Pray 

Some people only pray on Sundays, then wait for God to sustain them for the rest of the week. Others trust in prayer, making a religion out of it. 

But what does the Bible teach about Prayer? This is what it admonishes us in the book of Thessalonians:

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Prayer is communion with God. Be in constant fellowship with Him, the same way you would with a close friend. By praying in the power of the Holy Spirit, you build yourself up in your faith.

But you, my delightfully loved friends, constantly and progressively build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith by praying every moment in the Spirit. Fasten your hearts to the love of God and receive the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gives us eternal life. Keep being compassionate to those who still have doubts, and snatch others out of the fire to save them. Be merciful over and over to them, but always couple your mercy with the fear of God. Be extremely careful to keep yourselves free from the pollutions of the flesh. Now, to the one with enough power to prevent you from stumbling into sin and bring you faultless before his glorious presence to stand before him with ecstatic delight. (Jude 1:20-24 TPT)

Read your Bible

Hebrews 4:12 (TPT)

For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, like a two-mouthed sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts.

The word of God is God's will for us. It is God's power … unto salvation. When you read the word of God, you are interacting with God's power.

Again, you won't know how or what to pray for if you don't know what God says in His word. Jesus said, " … that you would know the truth and the truth will set you free" The word of God is the only truth. If you don't know what the word says, you don't know the truth.

If you don't know the truth, how can you repeat to God what He said in His word? How can you pray according to God's will? How can you know what is in God's mind?

The only way to know God's secrets is by His word, guided by the Holy Spirit. Set aside time to read the scriptures and you will see the difference in your life.

Take part in worship and Community

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Worship is a way of expressing awe and gratitude towards God. It is a form of expression of love and respect for Him, even as we make ourselves vulnerable to Him, to receive more of His love and care.

When you take part in corporate worship through going to church, small groups, worship nights and such, you encounter other worshipers who, like yourself, are eager to experience more of God.

These like-minded people will support and encourage you through your faith journey.

Surround yourself with these people, because they will challenge you and inspire you to grow.

Be Thankful and Reflect on God's Providence

It is easy to lapse in to sulking, counting what we lack. But the real juice is in gratitude. Count your blessings and see what God has done in your life.

It helps to pause and think of those simple ways God has shone through in your life, then you will realize how much of His power is at work around you. The realization that God is at work in you brings you to a state of dep worship, challenging you to know Him better.

You can express you gratitude by simply writing down, worship, thankful prayer, or even assenting in your mind. By being thankful and content, you are assured that God is working in those areas where you might feel needs working on.

Serve

 Matthew 20:28, 

"the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

Although the above scripture would rather be understood in another context, it's great to serve others, rather than wait to be served. God is love, and when we render service to others, we let God's love shine through us.

We also get a big chance to grow, both spiritually, emotionally and intellectually, when we offer a listening ear to those in need or take others' burdens on our shoulders.

There are quite a number of ways you can deepen your connection with God, but these are the main ways you can employ . If you study the word of God, pray according too HIs  will serve others and be grateful, you are several steps into a deeper relationship with God.

As we grow spiritually, we not only strengthen our connection with Him but also become better equipped to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives.

Remember, spiritual growth is not about perfection, but about progress. It’s about taking small, consistent steps towards a closer relationship with God, trusting that He will guide and transform us along the way.

The Power of Community: Building a Faith-Filled Tribe

 

Should we Live Out Independently as Born-Again Christians, or as a Community?

Today's socio-economic trends are gravitating towards a more individualistic way of life. It may feel like the best route in the short run, but after some time of being alone you realize the need for community. 

The need of a community can not be overstated. A community is a great platform to share the good and sad times, grow together and build each other in faith.

The apostles learned this secret early and enjoyed the fruits of being together. This is what we are told about their fellowship:

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47 NIV)

In the same way, we are encouraged in Hebrews 10:24-25 to spur one another towards love. Instead of living separately, we would do better to stick together.

Jesus himself promises to join the fellowship of believers in Mathew 18:20. This underlines the importance of fellowship and community.

The question you might be asking is, should I be in a community, simply because I need to be? The simple answer is, do you share the same values?

Before you commit yourself to a certain group, or hack together a group, it is important to identify the core values that bring you together. This ensures that you are reading from the samepage and playing towards a common goal.

You might consider drafting a clear mission and vision statement, which will further unify and inspire you. Most people, though, lack such a statement and still do great.

The idea is to make sure you are going in the same direction.

This calls for intentional connection, which creates deep, meaningful ties within the group. It further promotes intimacy and a sense of belonging, where every member deeply feels and cares for the other's needs.

It would help make others feel valued and respected, if we accept them just as christ accepted us. This is what is called "Biblical hospitality". Be hospitable towards each other, and the love of God will thrive amongst you.

As we embrace each other, it's imperative we remember to serve one another in humility. To quote the words of Christ, "let the master be the slave". 

When every member of the community is equal, everyone feels at ease. Nobody feels belittled, or even the itch to rise to a position of power within the group.

Where possible, it is best not to have a hierarchy of leadership or power; just friends meeting with a common goal. But where a form of leadership is needed, the leaders should be careful to consider the needs and weaknesses of the others.

Remember: before you are a leader, you are a member with the same aspirations.

One of the aspirations of christian groups is worship. When people worship together they feel more invigorated, more uplifted, and more connected. 

It is therefore important to incorporate such practices into your routine, if they are not the core reason why you are together. This spiritual disciplines helps the members grow individually and collectively. Exploring creative forms of worship can engage different members and enhance the communal experience.

A faith-filled tribe is not a far-fetched idea: it is an entity with far reaching effects. The results of a faith club start from a personal level, and extend to the world at large. From intimacy with members and with God, to heightened emotional discipline to better interpersonal skills, the importance can't be overstated.

Building a faith-filled tribe is an ongoing journey. By remaining committed to our communities and continually seeking ways to deepen our faith and strengthen our bonds, we can create vibrant, transformative communities that reflect the love, grace, and truth of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Bible, New International Version.

Keller, Timothy. The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith. Penguin Books, 2008.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community. HarperOne, 1954.

Stanley, Andy. Creating Community: Five Keys to Building a Small Group Culture. Multnomah, 2004.

Nouwen, Henri J.M. Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life. Image, 1986.

Shattered but Unshakable: You Have Overcome All

A Guide to Overcoming Adversity 

Help, am losing faith!

 In life, it's almost a guarantee that you will encounter hardships. Sometimes you feel like giving up and metaphorically lying on the ground in defeat and despair. 

But if you look past these challenges, you'll find a great opportunity to grow and become a better you. This post is meant to let you know that with God, you have already overcome those challenges.

Faith

Your first stop in remaining sane in the midst of life's storms is having faith. But what the heck is faith, you ask?

The EASY Bible defines faith as follows

This is what it means to trust God: We will be sure about the things that we hope for. We will be sure in our minds about things that we cannot even see.

The Living Bible has its very vivid explanation of faith:

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.

Different versions of Hebrews 1:1

Be sure that whatever you are hoping for is already there, waiting for you, in Christ Jesus. Are you you struggling with something, an addiction, a family situation, unemployment... the list goes on?

Be confident that your desired outcome is waiting for you. Faith is the receipt that God has already done it. Although things might look different right now, God has already ordained a way for you, just press on.

Strength in Weakness

God's grace is already sufficient in your life. Just lean on it.

Adversity exposes our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, leaving us feeling raw. But God is always there to strengthen us. 

Take Paul as an example, when he prayed to God about his "thorn in my flesh". What was God's response?

Each time he said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.” Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. 10 Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite happy about “the thorn,” and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong—the less I have, the more I depend on him. (2 Cor 12:9-10 TLB)

In hardships, learn to depend on God. He can never put you to shame. Instead of trying to make your marriage work through your means, bribing your way into a job, doing something shameful to get a promotion, let God do the heavy lifting while you reap the fruits thereof.

Stay Put

To have faith in God is believing that He is doing something, even when it seems obnoxious. But it is pure joy. 

In the book of James he tells us this:

2 Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, 3 for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete. (James 1:2-4 TLB)

Treat your adversities as a fertilizer for patience. Don't uproot the tree of patience by throwing in the cards. 

Don't give up!

When the road is rough, change down but don't stop. You are learning, aren't you? In the end you will have a strong character, like an experienced driver, ready to navigate any road, rough or smooth. You will be proud of success, when at last you realize it.

Here comes restoration

God's promises do not extend to mere survival. In God we do not just survive; we thrive. Even in your darkes hour, know that God is working in your life, setting you up for greater things.

This is what He says in  the book of Peter:

Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God who gives all grace. He chose you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever. (1 Peter 5:10 ERV)

You are assured of a soft landing even when you are going through a rough patch. Keep reminding yourself of God's promise to restore and renew you, to share in His glory; not in heaven yet, but here on earth!

Joseph might have felt the same way as you and me in hardship when he was sold into slavery. But God had other plans with the slavery situation

To lift Joseph from the pit to the palace.

Just like Joseph, God is working in and out of hardship to lift you up and catapult you to greatness. In your darkest moment, remind yourself that this is another source of blessing and purpose.

Community

Yes, God can and is working in your life individually, but we all need someone to shar with. That's why you need a community of same-faith supporters in your darkest hour. 

If nothing else, they will remind you what God is saying about you and your future.

After all, they say, a problem shared is a problem half-solved. A support community will carry your burden, as exemplified in Galatians.

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. (GAlatians 6:2 MSG)

Trusted friends and confidants will give you fresh perspective and restore your hope and optimism in life. This is what the believers were doing in Acts 4:32-35.

All in all, overcoming adversity is not about avoiding hard tims, but facing them with an unshakable faith in God. Overcomers don't turn back when they see a mountain of trouble; they forge forward, trusting in the God who strengthen stheir feet.

I invite you to remain grounded in faith, persevere through hardship, embrace your weaknesses, trust in God's promises and invest in a faith community. 

By the way, you are closer to relief than you thought!

I can promise you this: You will emerge from your dark valley not just unbroken, but stronger and more resilient.