Living a fulfilling and fruitful life as a believer involves discovering your purpose. We must all determine our God-given assignment to determine what He would have us invest our focus. Without this sense of direction, our lives can become aimless. It becomes easy to fall into the snare of potential distractions, instant gratification, or the pursuit of temporary idols without a clearly defined mission (Romans 1:22-25). Our faith in God and relentless pursuit of His will provide the antidote for those traps. Seeking God’s desires keeps us focused on the meaningful things in life and helps us avoid turmoil (2 Timothy 2:22).

Find God’s purpose amid an ocean of distractions.

Some things can benefit us when we don’t over-emphasize them (1 Corinthians 10:23-24). For example, excelling in a career, pursuing quality relationships, or finding some satisfaction in achievements all have their place in a well-rounded life (Ecclesiastes 3:11-13). The problem comes when one or more of these pursuits detract from our relationship with God. These are among the most common places where we find some aspect of our purpose. That’s why we must be careful not to allow the good things in life to become idols. We cannot overemphasize them to the point of neglecting God.

There are times when overlap exists between a career and a Godly directive, but for many Christians, these are two distinct pathways. We may honor God with how we excel at work, love our significant other, or honor Him with our achievements. However, when such pursuits align with our purpose in the Kingdom of God, we will experience unparalleled satisfaction. It is essential to align our goals with God’s will by spending time with Him to discern where to invest our time, energy, and resources (John 15:5).

Differentiate between worldly pursuits and Godly ambitions.

It is easy to distinguish between modern distractions and finding your meaning in obedience to God’s will. If an activity or ambition leaves you feeling empty or dissatisfied on some level, you are likely not actively pursuing your calling (Romans 12:1-2). The reality is that most of us if not all, need to cope with many things we prefer not to do on any given day. There are times when you will also have to find motivation and strength from God to walk out the calling He lovingly placed upon your life. But, even after all the diligent work, if you feel a sense of peace, joy, and satisfaction for having done it, you are on the right track. For clarity, you might ask yourself questions such as:

• “Is this something that honors, glorifies, and acknowledges God?”
• “If money was no object, would I be willing to do this for free?”
• “Do I see positive results for God’s kingdom?”
• “Am I investing in my immediate gratification or in eternity?”
• “Am I making a difference in other people’s lives?”
• “Has a fellow believer pointed out that this might be an area of gifting in my life?”
• “Does what I do for God come a bit easier to me than it might for other believers who may themselves be gifted in other areas?” 

As you reflect on these questions and, most importantly, pray about what God would have you do, do not feel discouraged if you are unsure what your niche is. I find myself enjoying writing and teaching about the Bible. I take this calling in my life seriously, knowing that as a teacher of God’s Word, I am subject to a high standard of judgment (James 3:1). Accuracy in those works is among my utmost priorities because I want to teach people without compromise. I aspire for my work to be as error-free as possible. Remember that whatever we do unto the glory of God, we should pursue with our best effort (1 Corinthians 10:31).

What is the connection between our faith and purpose?

It takes faith to invest substantial time in God’s assignment for you (Matthew 17:20). In doing God’s work, you rarely receive positive feedback, earn significant sums of money, or enjoy the world’s applause (John 15:18-21). But you will still answer the calling God has placed in your heart because it will be one of the few ways to find fulfillment and joy in serving God (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12). It becomes easier when we realize that living for eternity is superior to everything this world offers (Matthew 6:19-21).

There is also a sense of connectivity and identity found in serving God that we don’t experience when we are solely seeking our best interests. When we participate in something larger than ourselves, looking outside ourselves rather than reflecting on our needs, we recognize that our concerns shrink rapidly (Philippians 2:3-5). We can’t always avoid difficult times, but helping others often brings peace. Looking outside our needs and helping others with their needs shifts our perspective from selfish desires to gratitude and contentment (Acts 20:35; 1 Timothy 6:6-10). 

Seeing that we are not alone in our desire to serve God and His people is a blessing. Sharing the common ground of mutual desires to utilize our gifts, talents, resources, time, and energy to glorify God alongside our faithful friends provides us extra motivation to keep fighting the good fight of faith (2 Timothy 4:5-8). Our Church often motivates us to pursue God’s work in righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11-12; Galatians 5:22-23). We can often accomplish this independently, too. Still, we must always return to God, His Word, and our Christian friends to nourish us with the spiritual sustenance we desperately need to persevere (Philippians 4:6-7).

Faith in God’s Word is our moral compass.

Knowing God’s Word and utilizing it to guide our actions should go hand-in-hand. Faith is the fuel that takes us from knowledge to wisdom (James 1:5-6). When we believe God’s Word, we are compelled to be proactive in light of what we know to be true. When we know, believe, and apply God’s Word, we prioritize God’s will over our own. We will follow God’s commands, leading us to better decisions on our journey with Him (John 15:14-16). If glorifying God is our ultimate purpose, it should be intuitive that His Word is the blueprint for that intention to flourish (1 Corinthians 6:20). 

The more our faith aligns with God’s Word, the more frequently we will see it manifest itself in our actions. None of us will ever regret placing our faith in our Maker. He is sovereign over everything (Colossians 1:16-17), loves us more than we can fathom (1 John 4:7-10), does not change (Malachi 3:6), and has our best interests at heart for eternity (Romans 8:28). May we all find solace and contentment in confidently pursuing our purpose, knowing we can trust God (1 Timothy 6:6-10). 

We do not need to look any further than the example of Paul in Philippians. He wisely found satisfaction and joy in God rather than spend His time dwelling on his dire circumstance (Psalm 16:11). Paul found Himself in the equivalent of a dungeon. Yet by God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s lead, he shared the book of Philippians with us. Despite the imprisonment, Paul was rejoicing (Philippians 4:4), encouraging fellow believers to abstain from anxiety (Philippians 4:6), and filled with the peace of God (Philippians 4:7).

If we focus on things to be grateful for and trust God to provide what we lack, we arrive at a disposition of contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-10). But, of course, I am not advocating apathy or laziness. There is still a place to retain a certain degree of ambition. We should not merely sit back waiting for something to happen. Instead, we ought to be proactive about pursuing the dreams God has led us to while simultaneously finding satisfaction in our current situation. The key is to have such aspirations focused primarily on the things of God rather than the allures of the world (Psalm 63:1). Paul discovered that by making God his ultimate source of joy, He could find contentment in all the situations he found himself in (Philippians 4:10-13). Jesus Christ strengthened him to endure hardship and meditate on the things that carried an eternal significance (Philippians 4:8-9).

When we are grateful, it also puts us in a position to worship God. At that moment of thanksgiving, we often gravitate toward acknowledging the generosity of God in our lives. I like to thank God for everything from the smallest of material blessings to the largest of spiritual ones and everything in between. For instance, I am thankful for the keyboard I utilize to write Biblical-based content like this, and I am eternally grateful for my relationship with Jesus Christ. These are blessings that God chose to provide me, and being thankful to Him for them shows Him that I recognize His countless gifts in my life.

The correlation between gratitude and humility is also vital to understand. Without God, we can do nothing of eternal significance. God empowers us to bear fruit only in, with, and through Jesus Christ (John 15:5). Such a reality should lead us to always rely on God and thank Him in the process. Our calling is to glorify God, and we must trust Him to supply our needs. It should be intuitive to avoid taking for granted when God meets those needs. Instead of allowing entitlement to take root, we must humble ourselves before our Maker (Matthew 23:12). Gratitude and humility will lead us to adopt a perspective of appreciation toward God no matter our challenges.

It is dangerous to think so highly of oneself to the point where we believe we are self-sufficient (Romans 12:3). We are more vulnerable than we would like to admit. This meekness is often an attribute of those whom God will lovingly choose to carry out His work (1 Corinthians 1:27). God will strengthen us to overcome our weaknesses and give Him all the glory for it (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Thank God for filling the gap between our shortcomings and accomplishing His will for us. If you put Him first in your life, you will remain at the center of His will. May God continue to help us surrender to His sovereignty in more and more aspects of our lives as we remain grateful for His providence (Luke 1:52).

One of the most significant blessings stemming from Christian hospitality is bridging gaps of understanding across racial, cultural, and socioeconomic divides. It allows us to share God’s love and connect with people we might not have encountered otherwise. There is no telling how offering a listening ear, sharing a meal, or offering a kind word could bless someone. Imagine the impact of these types of actions throughout a lifetime. Of course, not all of us can share this gift in the same manner, but perhaps we may feel compelled by God to do so uniquely. It is also possible to improve how we do so over time, which may drive some of us to practice taking such actions frequently. Inspiring other recipients in our path to pay it forward in their walk with God can yield eternal dividends (Matthew 25:35-40).

There is no better example of these actions than those found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, if we become more like Him in our sanctification, it would make sense to follow His example. For instance, he demonstrated the unfathomable humility of washing the feet of the disciples (John 13:4-15). The lowest servant in the household was typically responsible for such a duty, yet the God of the Universe willingly did this so that we would do the same for one another. He also cared for and healed the sick (Mark 1:40-45), welcomed and blessed the children (Matthew 19:13-15), reached out to societies outcasts (Luke 19:1-10), and spoke to a large crowd who He also fed instead of turning them away (Matthew 14:13-21). By any measure, Jesus Christ consistently demonstrated hospitality and His love through His actions. Therefore, we should follow His example and practice hospitality to the people we encounter.

Our motivation for every action we take is critical to take into account. Concerning Christian hospitality, we can find a sense of satisfaction intrinsic to such steps. After all, we know giving is a greater blessing than receiving (Acts 20:35). If we take action from a disposition of love, generosity, humility, and genuine desire to be a blessing to other people, we will find joy intrinsically and inextricably linked to the kind of actions we take. We recognize that God gave us all the strength, energy, resources, and capabilities required to provide a helping hand to those who need it. While we might be in a position to provide help now, there is no telling when we might be the ones who require assistance ourselves. Such a reality check affirms our vulnerability and humbles us to recall that we rely on God for everything. After all, all good and perfect gifts come from Him (James 1:17). Our ability to serve others is a privilege, not a burden.

It is vital to all of us that we do not over-extend ourselves and risk burning out in our service. We need self-awareness and discipline to take a step back when we require a proper dose of rest (Exodus 34:21). God encourages us to rest at least one day a week for a good reason. When we rest, we demonstrate our faith in God’s provision. Instead of trying to take everything into our hands, we surrender that control to God in faith (1 Peter 5:7). It is a blessing from God to enjoy these breaks because it is easy to get caught up in the race of our daily routines. We do not want to make productivity an idol, and we should learn to identify when to take a step back for prolonged rest as God calls us to do so. Consider how even small packets of rest in stillness build our trust in God. Take confidence that He is working things behind the scenes of our lives in our favor as He sees fit (Psalm 46:10). I recognize this is a challenging feat for those of us who have a strong work ethic and tend towards uncompromising diligence. Still, we would be foolish to neglect to embrace God’s gift (Galatians 6:9).

Ultimately it is a beautiful desire to do God’s work consistently. After all, our capacity to do so is directly enabled and directed by His providence. As long as we maintain a good balance between serving others and attending to our needs when appropriate, we will maximize our likelihood of succeeding. That way, we can demonstrate hospitality the way God intends. If you burn out from any excess, it is unhelpful to anyone, no matter how good your intentions may be.

We must recognize our limitations and remember that God supplies all our needs. I would suggest this is a skill for us to master because we live in a world that often promotes hustling and productivity to the extreme. Take care of yourself and open the door for your loved ones to offer a helping hand on occasion. There is no shame in it, and none of us is as invincible as we may think. These seasons take humility, but the better we get at correctly identifying these dynamics, the less frequently we will struggle to rest, recover, and return to effectively being God’s hands and feet (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). We all have different thresholds for this, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer, but I encourage you to learn your limits and draw boundaries to protect your well-being accordingly.

I pray that today’s article will compel you to demonstrate hospitality and seek God’s guidance on how He may desire you to do so. May God receive all the glory for all that we do. We are the salt of the earth and serve as a light in a dark world (Matthew 5:13-16). Let us not forget the urgency in pursuing God’s design for us in supporting one another in the process. None of us can ever go wrong by whole-heartedly, prayerfully, and humbly seeking God’s will. Keep fighting the good fight of faith and surrender to Him daily (1 Timothy 6:12). There is no better place to be than at the center of God’s will for you.

We should often remind ourselves to thank God for everything, from the smallest of material blessings to the largest of spiritual ones (1 Corinthians 15:57). We should keep a firm grasp on the fact that with Jesus Christ, we have all we need (Romans 11:36). Additionally, we can still appreciate the alternative blessings that He lavishes upon us. Refrain from letting the allure of the world captivate you into thinking that it is exclusively fame, money, power, influence, or materialism that will provide happiness (Romans 12:2).

If we play the comparison game, we will always find that we do not stack up on some level, which breeds envy, jealousy, and discontentment (Ecclesiastes 4:4, James 4:2-3). Instead, we must remember that our value stems from our identity as God’s children (Ephesians 2:10, Genesis 1:27). Additionally, He saw it fit to bless you with eyesight, internet access, shelter, and leisure time to learn about God and His Word. If you are alive and reading this, it is clear you are among the most blessed people on earth!

Hopefully, you already know Jesus Christ, but if you are not yet a believer, God has inspired you to read this article. Perhaps He prompted your heart and sparked a curiosity that led you to visit this page today. Do not chalk this up to mere coincidence. Today is the day of salvation, and there is no better time than the present to acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior if you have not already done so (2 Corinthians 6:2). None of us should take for granted every day of mercy that God patiently provides for more people to come to saving faith through His Son, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:9).

When I struggle through a difficult time, feel disappointed, frustrated, or otherwise find myself in a negative state of mind, I try to remember how fortunate I am. We live in an era of human history where most people live under better circumstances than the royalty of prior centuries. Yet, surprisingly, many of our most significant obstacles are often manufactured by excess indulgences, luxuries, instant gratification, and comfort. Therefore, we need to exercise discipline and self-control to avoid being consumed by these seductive pitfalls. Some things are a blessing as long as we practice moderation, but the minute we overdo it, those same blessings can become a problem (1 Corinthians 10:23-24).

For instance, we can enjoy eating to some degree. Still, the moment we step into gluttony, we know we do more harm than good (Ezekiel 16:49, Philippians 3:19, Proverbs 28:7). It is reasonable to seek a life partner one day that we may eventually marry. Still, if we obsess about a specific person or idolize the gift of marriage, we set ourselves up for a rude awakening. Any time we attempt to substitute the longings in our hearts to worship and draw closer to God with anything else, we will not find lasting joy or satisfaction.

Notice that both of these examples can be blessings from God if they are done His way, in His timing, to the extent He desires for us (1 Corinthians 10:31, Proverbs 18:22, Genesis 2:18). However, we must be aware that even intrinsically good things can be detrimental to us. It is the Creator that we must worship, not His creation. The appetites of the flesh, including the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, are insatiable. We must not cater to them, for they have the potential to consume us (1 John 2:16, Romans 6:23). Limited and finite things, even other human beings, cannot fill the void that only an unlimited, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God can (Psalm 16:11).

I encourage you to reflect and take inventory today about what you are thankful for and whether God remains your primary focus. As long as we keep our eyes on our Savior and immerse ourselves in His will, we will find that we will run the race of this life with perseverance (Hebrews 12:1). He gives us all we need to press forward and enjoy the journey (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, do not put yourself in a position where you look back on this life and fail to maximize the time for His glory (Ephesians 5:15-18, 1 Corinthians 10:31). God’s will for you is to immerse yourself in His purpose in light of His calling upon your life (Romans 8:28). Anything less is not living up to His will for you. Delight in God and derive satisfaction from fulfilling that mission (Psalm 37:4-7). It is only a matter of time before we reach the finish line on this side of Heaven and enjoy eternal life with Him (2 Timothy 4:7).

Elements of discomfort often form a basis for substantial progress in life. Have you ever examined the biographies of people who led successful lives? It particularly rings true for those who generated eternal value through serving God. They often share remarkably uncomfortable anecdotes of pasts riddled with struggles. Yet, instead of allowing such obstacles to derail their lives, they eventually persevered amid adversity with God’s provision (Philippians 4:13). Their difficulties appeared insurmountable. Still, God saw it fit to help them conquer the giants in their lives (1 Samuel 17:50-51). Some Biblical examples include the likes of King David, Job, Daniel, and the Apostle Paul, to name a few of my favorites.

All the glory related to resolving such situations points towards the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The only One who can make what is impossible in the sight of man possible despite all the odds firmly against it (Matthew 19:26). Furthermore, He can take what is meant for evil by our adversary and turn it around for good in ways we do not see coming. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, but God had a greater plan despite his hardship (Genesis 50:20). A whale swallowed Jonah. However, God decided his story was far from over (Jonah 2:10). The Israelites wandered the wilderness for roughly forty years (Joshua 5:6), but God provided for them in their distress and never abandoned them (Exodus 16:12). God’s people, including you and I, are often strategically placed in situations designed to lead us back to Him. Whether we understand it or not, we must concede to God’s will. Trust that His plans are infinitely superior to ours (Romans 8:28). If we faithfully surrender to His will above ours, it is only a matter of time before we reap the fruit of obedience (John 15:7-9).

The rigors of our unpredictable lives also form the contrast by which we can measure our numerous blessings. For instance, maybe you lost your job, struggled to find a new path forward for several months, and got dangerously close to burning through your entire emergency fund. Then, suddenly, God opens the door to that new employer, and you recover financially through that fresh opportunity. If this happened in my life, my gratitude for employment would be significantly greater than if everything had gone smoothly from the beginning (James 1:2-4). The newfound appreciation for a new workplace, and God’s role in finding me that unique position, would make me look at the same circumstances in an altogether different light (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Excess comfort can also breed laziness and complacency. If everything comes easy to us without a battle, we will fail to appreciate the magnitude of our blessing. No wonder those who become suddenly wealthy from such avenues as lottery winnings or inheritances often squander them (Luke 15:13-14). When someone lacks experience dealing with that wealth level and does not respect the degree of effort required to build it, the story, unfortunately, writes itself. Such situations require a great deal of prayer and wisdom if one is to be a good steward of such monetary responsibilities in the sight of God (Ecclesiastes 7:12).

Finally, for better or worse, discomfort can push us forward to our goals at an accelerated pace. It may also serve as a reminder of the urgency to do God’s work compared to circumstances that may not frequently highlight the scarcity of time. When we operate as if we have all the time in the world, we will not evangelize, disciple, or generally serve God with the same zeal (Romans 13:11). Alternatively, we would if we consistently recognized how fleeting life is (James 4:14).

God often reminds us of individual limitations through the reality of uncomfortable situations tied to extraordinary challenges. Thus we must turn to Him for help, and that continuous reliance will quickly eliminate any fable of self-perceived invincibility we may feel inclined to entertain (Psalm 39:4-6). Instead, humbly seeking God and submitting to His guidance is crucial. It will provide the ideal outcome for us with eternity in mind (James 4:6). Ultimately, many comforts and luxuries can be indulged in moderation when we know our priorities are in order (Ecclesiastes 9:7-9).

One possible consideration is that God might be preparing our character (Ephesians 2:10). Facing trials may put the kind of pressure on us that we have never dealt with before. When you and I find ourselves in a situation where we must confront such obstacles, God provokes us to step out in faith. Sure, we could choose to be angry at God, throw a pity party, and give up. However, God knows we can mourn the loss, draw nearer to Him, and rely on Him to overcome the seemingly impossible instead (Proverbs 3:5-6). If we never came across this kind of testing in life, we might come to a point where we are too comfortable (James 1:2-8). Extreme comfort can breed complacency and lack of purpose, neither of which we ought to desire. In these times, we need to take refuge under the shelter of our unchanging (Hebrews 13:8), omnipotent (Revelation 19:6), omniscient (Psalm 147:5), and omnipresent God (Psalm 91:1-4). We need to remember His promises to us and seek Him whole-heartedly (Jeremiah 29:13), knowing that He would not allow anything to transpire that didn’t work out for His eternal glory and our eternal good (Romans 8:28).

Sometimes the difficulty is far less dramatic but still substantial enough to lead us to our knees. Maybe your best friend since childhood moved away, or you had a rough week at work. Indeed, we could try to handle these issues on our strength, but why not bring them to God first? We should pray for wisdom and discernment when we have a significant decision, but we do not have an obvious answer. Life will throw us all curveballs. It is only a matter of time before we face the next one. 

If we have faith in God, how can we justify not bringing such matters to His attention right away? He knew what was coming, when it was coming, and how it would transpire. It is up to us to recognize that while God is sovereign, He has divinely orchestrated everything to happen in a way that takes prayers and individual accountability into consideration. You and I should not be discouraged from seeking God simply because we know He has it all under control. Remember, God not only wants to further our relationship with Him through our sole Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5-6), Jesus Christ, but He also desires us to align with His will willingly. What better way to do that than to reach out to Him and share our concerns transparently?

There are instances where God calls us to shift in direction. Occasionally, friends may draw closer or further away. Alternatively, people might come or go from your life altogether. Perhaps, He might lead you to transition away from a workplace or close a door you assumed would be open forever. At times these kinds of adjustments may be pretty intimidating. Especially when we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, facing unexpected tasks, and few allies we can trust whole-heartedly. 

It makes sense for us to seek God first and foremost in all circumstances and every area, but nothing drives us quite as quickly to our knees as these kinds of issues. Thankfully, we can trust God and even validate His faithfulness to us in our shared history with Him. Most of us need not look back too far if we are paying attention to see how God has never let us down or forgotten us (Hebrews 13:5). He might have allowed certain things seem not to have gone our way from our finite perspective. However, if we knew what God knows in His infinite wisdom, we would most certainly recognize His reasoning. If we saw the vision, eternal value, and purpose He has for things, it would not even cross our minds to question Him.

We need to step into the faith zone with God continually. No matter where you are, what you are coping with, or how far you still have to go, God will remain unchanging in the life of a believer (James 1:17, Malachi 3:6). His Word is a timeless resource and will always remain a written testament to His glory. The same way He was faithful in the lives of our forefathers who came before, He will stay so with us. God is not in the business of letting us down, and all the things we think are setbacks in one form or another point to a greater purpose in His plans from an eternal vantage point. May we faithfully and humbly pursue His will to bring Him glory accordingly and remember that His ways are always superior to our own (1 Peter 4:7-11).