01 May Purpose: How Do I Find Mine?
WRITTEN BY: Wil Smith
What Is My Purpose?
What is my purpose? This is one of the most asked questions among Christians right after they have put their faith in Jesus or have taken the step of baptism.
I was there just about five years ago. My journey began with a challenge from a friend; he said, “Before you start each day, give God your yes. Say yes to anything he is asking you to do and as you say yes, watch what he begins to do.”
After that first “yes” there was a hunger for a relationship with God, an eagerness to know what was next. I wanted to know what big thing he was going to ask of me and where to find his purpose in this yes. Well, the answer, in the beginning, wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. As I began to read in the gospels during my slot and spot each morning and gave God my yes, it was then that I began to understand because I am his child, he wanted to show me how to build a relationship with him.
How many of us are so hungry that we just want to jump right in to find our purpose, but all God is asking of us first is to have a relationship with him?
As I grew in my relationship with God, the next step was baptism. I was reminded of this moment this past weekend during “Baptism Weekend” at The Journey. The joy on others’ faces was so amazing to see, and I couldn’t help but reflect on my own baptism. I remember after being baptized, it put such a fire in me to want even more. I knew my next step was to serve but didn’t know where.
Since I wanted to serve at The Journey, my next step was going through Plugged-In. That’s how I became involved with my first J-Team, the Emergency Response Team. While I was serving on ERT, my relationship with God was becoming deeper. That fall, I went through our JLI (Journey Leadership Institute) program which brought a lot of growth. During JLI, God began to unlock gifts I never knew existed in me. Each teaching during JLI was encouraging, challenging, and equipping. I learned to lead not only at The Journey, but in everyday life in my family, work, and even sports teams that I was coaching. It was through JLI that my purpose started to become clear.
When I finished JLI, I became the director of our online host team for weekend gatherings. I served in this capacity for almost two years. Currently, I am a worship leader and serve on our research team.
Your next step is always going to look different depending on where you are in your walk with God. No matter where you are in your journey, your relationship with God is the most important. It is through that relationship that everything else finds its place. Your purpose will become clear, your gifts will be revealed, and clarity will increase as you continue to seek him.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” God created you on purpose, for a purpose and he wants to reveal that to you.
So, if you’re looking to discover his purpose for you, here are some next steps to guide you in your relationship with Jesus:
- Start a slot and spot which is a time and a place where you get alone with him and build your relationship.
- Prayerfully consider getting baptized as a public declaration of your faith.
- Get connected with people going the same direction as you by joining a J-Group.
- Go through Plugged-In and begin serving.
Wherever you are in your journey with God, I encourage you to take a next step. God will show you what that is for you, just trust him. It may not alway look like you expect it to, but he always has a plan and a purpose for you.
Wil Smith/Worship Leader and Research Team
Wil Smith is a husband and a father. He enjoys spending time with his family, having date night with his wife, and watching his favorite sports teams. Wil loves serving on the Worship team and Research team, as well as leading the Freedom J-Group and connecting with other Journeyers.
No Comments