When God Made You: Understanding Your Purpose

We all wonder about why we are here and what our purpose in life is. This search often leads us to spiritual questions about our creation and whether there was intent and meaning behind it.

If you’re short on time, here’s the key point: According to the Christian faith, God made each person with intent and purpose, equipping them with specific gifts and talents to use to glorify Him and serve others.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the meaning behind these ideas by looking at bible verses about being made by God, understanding what it means to be made in God’s image, examining God’s sovereignty in our creation, and practically applying this by living purposefully.

We will also answer common questions people have about their identity and purpose according to the Christian worldview.

Bible Verses About Being Made By God

Jeremiah 1:5 – God Knows and Forms Us Before Birth

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

This powerful verse reminds us that even before we were formed in the womb, God already knew us intimately. He lovingly knit us together and had a purpose for our lives (Psalm 139:13-16). Even from the beginning, God set us apart and appointed us for His glorious plans.

Psalms 139:13-16 – We Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalms 139:13-16)

This passage celebrates how we are uniquely crafted by God. He intimately formed us in the womb, carefully knitting us together. We can praise God because we are fearfully and wonderfully made – His creation is awe-inspiring.

He saw us even before we were fully formed and had a plan for all of our days.

Ephesians 2:10 – God Prepared Good Works for Us

“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)

As God’s masterpiece, we are created to do the good works which He planned for us. Before we were born, He laid out opportunities to glorify Him with our lives. Our purpose is found in living out the destiny He prepared. He wants us to walk in the amazing plans He has for us!

Made In The Image Of God

God created human beings in His own image, as it says in Genesis 1:27: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This means we reflect God’s character and attributes in a limited way.

Here are some ways we reflect the image of God:

The Image of God Gives Us Dignity and Purpose

Being made in God’s image gives human life sacred worth and value. All human beings have dignity and deserve respect, regardless of gender, race, status or ability, because we all bear God’s image. Our lives have meaning and purpose because we are created to honor God and serve others.

Ways We Reflect God’s Character and Attributes

As God’s image-bearers, we reflect His attributes in the following ways:

• We have a moral compass and conscience to discern right from wrong.
• We have the ability to reason, think logically, and solve problems.
• We have creativity to express ourselves through art, music, literature, etc.
• We have the capacity to form meaningful relationships and show love.
• We communicate through language and shared understanding.

Of course, we reflect God’s attributes imperfectly because we are tainted by sin. But we still represent aspects of our Creator in limited ways.

Stewarding the Gifts God Has Given Us

God has gifted each person with talents, abilities, resources, and opportunities. As His image-bearers, we are called to be good stewards of what He has given us. Here are some ways we can steward our gifts:

• Use our abilities and passions to serve God and benefit others – at home, at work, at church, and in our communities.
• Be responsible with financial resources by being generous to those in need and supporting kingdom work.
• Look after our bodies and health as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
• Use our time wisely and make the most of opportunities to fulfill God’s purposes.
• Develop our gifts and talents to their full potential for God’s glory.

The way we steward our lives and gifts has ripple effects that can positively influence many others. Our purpose as God’s image-bearers is to honor Him in all we do.

God’s Sovereignty In Our Creation

God as Divine Creator

As the omnipotent Creator, God has complete authority and control over all of His creation (Genesis 1:1). Nothing exists apart from His divine will. King David wrote, “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3).

God exercises His sovereignty according to His perfect will and for His greater glory (Isaiah 46:10).

When God created the universe, He had a purpose and plan for everything He made. As the potter has authority over the clay to mold it into a vessel of his choosing (Romans 9:21), so God has sovereignty over His creation to carry out His intended design.

Predestination vs. Free Will

The Bible teaches that God is absolutely sovereign over the universe, yet people are responsible for their choices and actions. This creates an apparent paradox between predestination and free will. In His omniscience, God has foreknowledge of what each person will choose, yet He does not predestine some for salvation and others for condemnation (1 Timothy 2:4).

God, in His sovereignty, bestows on each person the ability to accept or reject His offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. Those who believe are chosen by God and predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

Yet, this choice is not forced upon them – they make it of their own volition.

God’s Purpose Cannot Be Thwarted

Despite the existence of sin and evil in the world, God’s sovereign plan cannot be thwarted or overridden. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please….What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do” (Isaiah 46:10-11).

Nothing can prevent God from fulfilling His good and perfect will. From the greatest king to the smallest child, no one has the power to frustrate God’s sovereign purposes. The psalmist declared, “The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad!” (Psalm 97:1).

We can take great comfort in knowing our lives are in the hands of an all-powerful and loving God.

Living Out Your Purpose

Using Your Talents and Abilities

God has gifted each person with unique talents and abilities that are meant to be used for His glory (Romans 12:6-8). As His masterpiece, you likely have special strengths and proclivities that can powerfully advance God’s kingdom when aligned with His will.

Take inventory of your skills and passions. How might they intersect with the needs around you? Consult other Christians for an outside perspective on where you excel. Then look for ways to direct your talents towards glorifying God, whether through ministry, your career, or community service.

Amazing things happen when you dedicate your gifts to God’s purposes.

Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts

In addition to natural talents, God grants spiritual gifts to believers which empower them to strengthen the church and reach the lost (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). These gifts of the Spirit can only be discovered through experience and wise counsel from fellow Christians.

As you step out in faith, pay attention to what energizes and propels you. Which needs around you instinctively compel you to act? Consider volunteering in multiple areas to better understand your spiritual giftings. Also, humbly ask mature believers for their perspective on which gifts they see.

Remember, your gifts are not for your own gain but for building up others (1 Peter 4:10). God will reveal and develop your gifts as you seek to serve.

Aligning Your Ambitions With God’s Will

While utilizing your natural talents and spiritual gifts is key, you must also ensure your life vision aligns with God’s specific will and calling for you. Spend much time in prayer and Scripture study to understand His priorities and heart for you (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

Submit all your plans to Him and be willing to surrender any dreams that contradict His purposes (Proverbs 16:3). Seek wise counsel from mentors who can help test your ambitions against God’s Word (Proverbs 15:22).

Most importantly, obey where He leads each step, even when it feels unclear or frightening (Proverbs 3:5-6). As you walk hand in hand with God, He will direct you to live out His magnificent purposes for your life in remarkable ways for His glory.

Common Questions

Why Does God Create Some People Knowing They Won’t Choose Him?

God desires an authentic, loving relationship with every person He creates. However, He has given each of us free will to choose whether to accept or reject Him. Even though God knows in advance some will not choose a relationship with Him, He still creates them and offers His love and salvation to all (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

As a loving Father, God grieves when His children reject Him, yet He respects their choice (Matthew 23:37). We may not fully comprehend why God allows rejection and evil, but we can trust His wisdom and sovereignty.

What If I Don’t Know My Purpose?

Discovering your God-given purpose can be a lifelong journey. Don’t worry if you haven’t found definitive answers yet. Pray and ask God to reveal His plans for you. Study biblical examples of how He guided people. Seek wise counsel from Christian mentors.

Explore your skills, interests and experiences to understand how God may want to use them. Be patient, trusting God’s timing. Listen for His Spirit’s voice guiding you step-by-step. As you follow Christ faithfully, your purpose will unfold over time.

What About People With Disabilities?

Every person – with or without disabilities – is made in God’s image and has dignity, value and purpose. Jesus showed that difficulties don’t diminish someone’s worth to God. People with disabilities can glorify God and find joy and meaning in life through faith, relationships and serving others.

Families and churches should provide care, support and accessibility. We must see people not through a lens of limitations, but as God sees them – His beloved children. When we embrace those with disabilities, we more fully reflect Christ’s inclusive, compassionate heart.

Conclusion

In summary, the Bible teaches that we are all made by God, with intent and purpose. Though the details of His sovereignty and will may not always be clear, we can find great meaning and direction for our lives when we recognize that God has uniquely gifted each of us and calls us to walk in relationship with Him and serve others with our gifts.

While we each face unique questions and circumstances, we can anchor our identity in the truth that we are made to glorify God with our lives.

The next step on your journey is to keep seeking God through studying the Bible, prayer and involvement in a church community. Ask Him to reveal His purpose and plan for your life more clearly each day.

By staying connected to the One who made you, you’ll grow in understanding who you are and why you are here.