Teachings from the Trail Blog

Remember back in high school when you recorded your life’s ambition for all of history in your school yearbook? I do. My highest ambition was to marry my high school boyfriend and live happily ever after. Clearly, I was wrong.

Last week in my study of the book of John a verse jumped out at me: John 3:27, which in the older New Living Translation version reads: “God in heaven appoints each person’s work.” John the Baptist was explaining his work was to point people to Jesus. Just this morning, I read in John 4:34, “Then Jesus explained: ‘My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.’” (NLT)

It is clear that God has work for each of us to do – a purpose for us – that was established before we were born. A purpose far greater than marrying, working to accumulate wealth and possessions, achieving happiness. Consider these additional verses in comparison with the two from John:

Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ecclesiastes 6:10: Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny.

I know that my purpose is to write. It took me nearly 40 years to realize this was the work appointed for me. (I totally relate to the Israelites who wandered in the desert for 40 years searching for their destination.) While I wrote for a profession for many, many years, I never wrote for God before. Once I started writing devotionals and later this blog, I came to understand this was my calling. It’s being confirmed for me in many ways, mostly through the fulfillment and joy I feel when I blog or work on my devotional book. Since I started writing here more frequently, God’s presence and lessons around me are more evident. I see him in nearly everything and everywhere. While my writing may help others, it’s also drawing me closer to God.

Are you still trying to understand what your purpose is? Life may feel empty until you discover your purpose. Consider where your passions and your skills intersect, and think about how they can be applied for greater good — to encourage others, to alleviate injustices, to draw people to Christ. Pray for clarity and wisdom in discovering your true calling. And remember, everything we have, material goods and immaterial things like our skills, were given to us by God for a reason. It’s only when we use them for the purposes he preordained that we’ll find contentment and fulfillment.

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,: says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”