The World is full of people yearning to fulfill their destiny. Those of us who are in Christ know where we are going when we die. But do we know how to find our life’s purpose while we are on earth?
All of us are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator of the Universe. He knows us intimately (Psalm 139) and has a purpose and calling for each of us. But how do IÂ discover what that calling is? We begin by asking, “How do I find my life’s purpose in Christ?”
Ready: Wise Solomon advises us in Proverbs 3:6, to seek the LORD for his plans and purposes: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)
Set: A number of years ago I decided I was going to find out who God had made me to be. It took me two years in discipleship training (for a Diploma in Theology) to discover I was uniquely made for a particular purpose, and a further two years of personal study, prayer & fasting, with deliberate tuning and analysis, to find out what that purpose was. I write this post as a springboard for others to seek and discern their personal calling more easily.
There are 9 spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12, where you can begin to connect with God and His word to find where your spiritual strengths lie. Also, listed in Romans 12 are God’s 7 gifts of grace. The five fold ministry gifts of Jesus are listed in Ephesians
“The most successful Christians are those who come to know their calling, understand their special gifting, and faithfully stay with that calling until they fulfill their membership ministry.” (Dr Bill Hamon, The Day of the Saints, Destiny Image Publishers Inc (c) 2002, p211)
Study:
1. Read the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, God’s gifts of grace, Jesus’ gifts to the church, to learn what gifts God has offered us.
2. Pray and “earnestly seek” God’s gifts. (Hebrews 11:6)
3. Consider your own passions for the LORD. What gifts have you got? What talents and abilities? What gifts do you yearn for. Ask.
4. Deepen your lifestyle of prayer, fasting and eagerly seeking His will to be fulfilled in your life.
5. Connect with others. Pray with them. Together, seek the LORD for His gifts, calling
and purpose in your lives.
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV)
6. Be diligent and be patient. God is faithful!
Go:Â Study, pray, seek, knock: God has plans for you, and a purpose, and in due time He will make them known to you.
4 replies on “How can I find my identity in Christ?”
The most important moment in a person’s life is the moment when Christ comes into his heart. The second most important moment is when his eyes are opened to God’s purpose, God’s unique purpose, just for him. What a wonderful post. Every Christian needs the information in this post.
I more or less fell into the truth you write so eloquently here. Before I understood my gifts and my purpose, I was always needy and fearful. I wanted attention. I yearned for approval. I could be swayed and misled by those who promised me fulfillment if I bought this or traveled there or achieved that. No more. My understanding of my purpose shapes my stewardship of time and talent.
If people use the information in this post, they will experience the meaning of “grace upon grace,” the joy of salvation filled to overflowing with the joy of obedient service.
Thank you for this post.
Thank you so much, Kathrine. That is my aim (and my purpose): to shed light that brings others into the fullness of the Gospel of God’s Kingdom and their purpose in it. Feel free to share the post. And every blessing as you continue to carve your way as He leads. Every blessing.
The work that the Father has given us is to believe in Jesus (John 6:29). He has told us to ask, seek, and knock (Luke 11:9). One thing I saw that made a huge difference in my life is that the first letter of these three words–Ask, Seek, Knock–spells ASK. This is how we expand our belief in Jesus, which is the work the Father has given us.
Blessings to you Sarah.
Blessings,
Tom
Indeed, that is the first job and it is of such great importance! But just as it was “too small a thing” for Jesus only to come to the lost sheep of the Israelite and so he was sent to the gentiles as well (Isaiah 49:6)… I believe we have many more responsibilities, corporately and individually. Is not each of us uniquely made (Psalm 139)? Does not each of us also have a unique purpose? It is my belief we have.
Thank you so much for your contribution, Tom. God bless.