I’m not fifty years old. It seems important to note because it will only be true for another few months. Still, I’ve had a substantial amount of time on this earth to wrestle through the important questions in life: why am I here, what does it all mean, what is my purpose?
For those who might still be wrestling through these questions, allow me to help. Your purpose is to know and glorify God and share the gospel so others may know and glorify God, too. You’re welcome. End of post …
… except that our purpose, collectively, as God’s created image-bearers is meant to be lived out in our individual lives in specific ways. God has a specific purpose for me—Tasha Calvert, female, married, mother, women’s minister, almost fifty. Yes, our collective purpose as believers is the same (to know and glorify God and share the gospel), but how we accomplish our purpose is individualized. Romans 12:4–8 says, “Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness” (CSB).
Often, we apply this passage to service within our local church, and that’s an accurate context. But, more broadly, we must understand the Church (the Bride of Christ) is God’s design for Christians to engage in this broken, fallen world. God has a purpose for our diverse, individual service inside and outside the church. For plumbers and preachers, window washers and worshippers, therapists and theologians, the same!
My daughter recently professed her faith in Christ, and I’ve seen the Holy Spirit begin to fill her and incline her toward the ways of the Lord. Last night she described a Bible Game App she wants to design for kids. I listened and affirmed her desire for others to know God’s Word through her game idea. “Cami,” I suggested, “maybe you are going to grow up and be a women’s minister like me!” She thought before answering, “No. I’ll be whatever God says, but I don’t think He would have given me the talent of designing games if He didn’t want me to use it for Him.”
Is it possible my nine-year-old already understands purpose? We accomplish our individual purpose when we take the gifts God gives us, the influence He allows us, and the job He provides and uses all of it in service to Him—no matter what it is.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 (HCSB)
Friends, our purpose isn’t found in what we do but in surrendering all we do in service to Christ.
Tasha Calvert is an author, speaker and Bible teacher. She currently serves as the Global Director of Women’s Ministry at Prestonwood, in Dallas, Texas. She is married to Robert and has four daughters and a son-in-law. Connect with her at www.tashacalvert.com
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