Finding Purpose in Everyday Life
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 *all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted
As followers of Christ, it’s natural to wrestle with questions like: What is my purpose? Lord, what am I supposed to be doing? How can I know if I’m in Your will? If you’ve ever asked those questions, you’re not alone. We all long for direction and clarity in life. The good news is that God’s Word gives us clear answers, and the foundation is the same for every believer.
The very first step in discovering God’s purpose for your life is to look at the commands Jesus Himself gave us. In Scripture, He makes it clear with three main commands that form the foundation of our calling as believers. The first is found in Matthew 22: 34-38.
“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, and except in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’”
Matthew 22: 34-38
First: Love God
The first step in discovering your purpose in everyday life is simple but profound: love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. Think about how we show love to someone we care about, we spend time with them, we give them our attention, and we make them a priority. The same is true with God. When we set aside time with Him daily, we begin to know Him more deeply and experience an intimate relationship with Him.
Loving God with all your heart means giving Him your deepest devotion and affection. It’s about treasuring Him above every relationship, every possession, and every desire. He longs for us to love Him first and most, to let Him hold the center place in our lives.
Loving God with all your soul is about surrendering who you are, your identity, your will, your passions, and your choices to Him. It means letting Him shape you into the person He created you to be and aligning your life with His purposes.
Loving God with all your mind means choosing to engage your thoughts with Him. It’s seeking to know Him more through His Word, through prayer, through wise teaching, and even through the lessons of your own life experiences. When you love God with your mind, you intentionally grow in understanding so your thinking becomes more like His.
When we love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind, we begin to see our true purpose, not as something hidden or complicated, but as a daily relationship of love and devotion to the One who made us.
Second: Love Others
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39
The second step in discovering your purpose in everyday life is obeying the second greatest command, to love others as you love yourself. Jesus not only taught love, He embodied it. Jesus set the highest standard for loving others by laying down His life for His friends. He bore the sin of the world and suffered a criminal’s death on the cross, not because He deserved it, but because His love was greater than our brokenness.
Loving others is not just a feeling, it’s a daily decision to reflect Christ through our words and actions. Ephesians 4:17-32 reminds us to be compassionate, kind, and quick to forgive, putting off bitterness and anger. Our interactions with one another become a mirror of Christ’s character as we actively build one another up in love..
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people…” Acts 2:44-47a
The believers in the early church gave us a beautiful picture of this kind of love in action. They shared everything they had, met each other’s needs, broke bread together, and praised God in unity. Their love for one another wasn’t limited to emotion, it showed up in how they spent their time, opened their homes, and lived generously. Their care for each other made the love of Jesus tangible and compelling to the watching world.
And Jesus doesn’t stop at loving those who are easy to love. He calls us to a radical kind of love, loving our enemies, blessing those who curse us, and praying for those who mistreat us. This isn’t natural love, it’s supernatural, Spirit-empowered love that points people to a Savior who forgives and restores. When we love like Jesus, we fulfill the second greatest commandment. We become living invitations to a kingdom where love is not just an ideal, but a way of life.
Third: Make Disciples
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28: 16-20
The third step in discovering your purpose in everyday life is to make disciples. Jesus' final words to His disciples were a clear and compelling command: “Go and make disciples of all nations...” This Great Commission wasn’t a suggestion or an assignment just for pastors or missionaries, it was a call for every believer to actively participate in sharing the gospel and helping others grow in their faith. Making disciples begins with sharing the good news of Jesus, what He has done for us, and what He offers to all who believe.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16
The apostle Paul modeled sharing Christ throughout his ministry, even in hardships. He faced beatings, prison, rejection, and near death experiences, yet he never stopped proclaiming Christ because he understood the eternal impact of discipleship.
Even when it feels intimidating or uncomfortable, God promises to be with us. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus reassures us, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We are not left to figure it out on our own. The Holy Spirit empowers us, giving us the courage, wisdom, and words we need. Discipleship isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about being willing to share what we know and walk alongside others in faith. As we go, whether across the world or across the street, we are living out the mission Jesus gave us, trusting Him to work through us in every step.
Prayer
God is not hiding your purpose from you. He’s inviting you into it, one faithful step at a time. Your purpose is rooted in love; loving God, and loving others as Jesus has loved you. It is fueled by obedience to His commission, to go and make disciples, even when it feels intimidating or uncertain. Take some time to seek the Lord this week through these prayer prompts.
Lord, help me believe that You created me on purpose, for a purpose. Show me the unique ways You’ve shaped me to reflect You.
Lord, what areas of my life have I not fully surrendered to You? Teach me to love You first and most.
Lord, open my eyes to someone You’re calling me to love in action this week. How can I show Your kindness, forgiveness, or generosity to them?
Lord, give me courage to share my faith. Who are You placing in my path that I can walk alongside, encourage, or invite closer to You?
“And I am certain that God, who began a good work in you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 NLT
“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24
