Why Did God Make Me? Finding Your Purpose According To The Bible

Have you ever wondered, “Why did God make me?” This is one of life’s biggest questions, and it’s one that many people grapple with. Knowing your purpose gives meaning and direction to your life.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: God made you for a reason and has a purpose for your life. You were created out of love and to fulfill God’s divine plan.

In this comprehensive article, we will dive deep into biblical truths about why God created you and how you can discover your unique purpose. We’ll look at verses that reveal God’s intent and examine stories of biblical figures who sought their purpose.

You Were Made in God’s Image and For His Glory

Made in God’s Likeness

According to the Bible, human beings are uniquely created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). This means we have the capacity to know God personally and reflect His glorious attributes. Some key ways we reflect God’s image include:

• We have a moral conscience and ability to discern right from wrong.
• We have rationality, creativity, wisdom, and intelligence.
• We have the capacity to create and appreciate beauty.
• We can experience emotions like love, joy, compassion.

Bearing God’s image is an incredible privilege! It gives human life inherent dignity and value. It also means we were designed for intimate relationship with our Creator. We find purpose and meaning in loving and glorifying God.

To Glorify God

The Westminster Shorter Catechism summarizes the purpose of human existence as, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” God created us ultimately to glorify Him (Isaiah 43:7).

What does it mean to glorify God? Here are some key ways:

• Worship – Magnifying God’s infinite worth through prayer, praise, singing, meditating on His character.
• Obedience – Living by God’s standards of righteousness and truth revealed in the Bible.
• Serving others – Demonstrating God’s love to the world through acts of mercy, kindness, and sharing the gospel.
• Using our gifts – Maximizing our unique talents and abilities for God’s purposes.

The more we glorify God, the more we experience joy and purpose in life. We were designed to find ultimate satisfaction in praising our Creator. As Augustine said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”

When we glorify God, we become who we were created to be. We find the profound meaning, hope, joy, and satisfaction we long for. Augustine was right – our hearts are restless apart from God. But in fulfilling our purpose to glorify Him, we discover life to the full (John 10:10).

God Has a Plan and Purpose For You

Jeremiah’s Life Shows God Has a Plan

The life of Jeremiah in the Old Testament provides a great example of how God has a specific plan for each person He creates. Even before Jeremiah was born, God told him, “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).

Jeremiah tried to avoid God’s calling, feeling too young and inexperienced. But God reassured him saying, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:8). Throughout his life, Jeremiah experienced persecution for proclaiming God’s word.

But he found confidence in the fact that God had called him for a purpose and equipped him for the task. Though Jeremiah faced many trials, he could trust that God was sovereign over it all. His life illustrates that we each have a divine plan that God intends for us to fulfill.

Esther’s Story Reveals God’s Purpose

The book of Esther provides another great example of how God positions people for a purpose. Esther was a young Jewish woman living in Susa, the capital of Persia. After the former queen was banished, Esther was chosen to take her place as queen.

Her cousin Mordecai told Esther that she had been called “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Not long after becoming queen, Esther was able to stop a plot to massacre the Jewish people throughout the kingdom.

Though God is never directly mentioned in the book, it’s clear He placed Esther in that position of authority for that precise moment. Esther’s courageous act saved her people from destruction. This demonstrates how God intentionally places His people where He wants them to accomplish His sovereign plan.

Like Esther, God has purpose for each of our lives – we simply need to trust in His providence.

The stories of Jeremiah and Esther remind us that no matter what our skills or background, God can use us powerfully when we make ourselves available to Him. As Jeremiah 29:11 says, God knows the plans He has for us – plans to prosper us and give us hope.

When we walk in faith and surrender to God’s calling, He will unveil the beautiful purpose He has for each of our lives.

How to Discover Your Purpose

Seek God First

Seeking God first is the key to discovering your purpose according to the Bible. As Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

When you prioritize growing your relationship with God through prayer, studying the Bible, and fellowship with other believers, your purpose will become clearer. God promises to reveal His plans to those who earnestly seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13).

Ask God to show you how He has gifted you and what brings you joy. Listen for His still, small voice guiding you towards the good works He has prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10). As you walk closely with God day by day, your purpose will unfold before you.

Use Your Talents and Passions

God has gifted each person with natural talents and passions that provide clues about their purpose. Take inventory of your skills and interests. What do you love doing? What brings you joy and energizes you? These are signs pointing towards the unique calling God has for your life.

For example, someone with a passion for music may be called to lead worship or start a youth choir. Someone who loves science and solving problems could have a purpose in medical research. God made you wonderfully complex (Psalm 139:14) – pay attention to the desires He placed in your heart.

Align your gifts and passions with meeting needs in your family, church, and community to fulfill your purpose. As Frederick Buechner said, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

Be Open to God’s Leading

Discovering your purpose requires being open and obedient to God’s leading in your life. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, even if God calls you outside your comfort zone. This may involve learning new skills, overcoming fears, or sacrificing lifestyle preferences. According to a 2016 Pew Research study, over 50% of Christians say they rely on their religious faith to guide day-to-day living.

As you surrender your will to God’s perfect plan, He will direct you to the good works He has called you to do (Ephesians 2:10). Walking in your God-given purpose requires childlike faith that His ways are higher than yours (Isaiah 55:9).

Let Him guide your steps and trust that He will reveal your purpose in His perfect timing.

Living Out Your Purpose Brings Joy and Fulfillment

David Found Joy in His Purpose

King David, famous for defeating Goliath, found great joy and contentment in carrying out his God-given purpose. Though he went through many trials, David consistently centered his life around pursuing God’s calling to lead Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13).

For instance, while still a young shepherd, David stepped up with courage to fight the intimidating Philistine warrior Goliath, trusting God would deliver Israel through him (1 Samuel 17). Later, as King over Israel, David found joy in bringing back the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the city David made Israel’s capital as part of God’s plan for him (2 Samuel 6).

Though David experienced times of fear, grief and frustration, he consistently turned to God, his rock and source of joy, in good and bad times (Psalm 27). As David sought God’s will above all else, he found fulfillment and inspiration in composing many beautiful psalms still impacting millions today.

For all who feel confused about their purpose, David’s life conveys lasting hope and comfort.

Paul Was Fulfilled Preaching the Gospel

The Apostle Paul, dramatically converted from zealous persecutor of Christians to devoted missionary (Acts 9:1-19), embarked on difficult journeys all over the ancient world to spread the Gospel. Despite beatings, stonings, imprisonment and violent mobs chasing him from town after town (2 Corinthians 11:23-27), Paul was undeterred.

In his letters, Paul conveyed immense fulfillment working to further God’s plan, calling himself “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” (Ephesians 1:1). He encouraged followers of Jesus in every location to find meaning and identity in Christ.

Even when thrown into jail, Paul shared the Gospel with everyone he met, including prison guards, highlighting for all the profound purpose and contentment in living all-out for God’s priorities (Philippians 1:12-14).

Conclusion

In closing, recognizing that God created you with intent and for a reason can revolutionize how you see yourself and live your life. As you seek God and His wisdom, your unique purpose will unfold. Walking in your God-given purpose will bring profound joy and satisfaction.

May you find fulfillment in all that God has planned for you!