Are you frustrated with life? If so, it could mean one of two things. You either have yet to discover your purpose or you’re operating in a grace God didn’t give you.
When frustration occurs typically it’s a sign that we are not operating in our gift or calling. Too many times we jump at opportunities that lean toward the side of making us more money. But is it really our calling?
Let us put it to you this way. Have you ever admired the life of others and wondered what you’re life would be like; if you had their skills, their money, or their strengths?
It could be something as simple as I wish I was “that kind of mother” or “that kind of father.” How about, I wish my husband was like so and so’s husband. I wish I could own a business like them. I wish I could sing like her. I wish I could preach like that.
It doesn’t matter what it is, we all do it. We all wish our lives were different than what they are in some form or fashion. God created each of us with a unique gift inside of us. Romans 12:6 tells us that our gifts are to be used for God’s glory, and it’s up to us to discover what that is.
What you do well, the world calls talent. However, what the world calls talent, God calls them gifts! And when we discover those gifts, we will find that God will use us in extraordinary ways.
We have to admit that we didn’t discover our gift until our 40s! Yes, we are getting up there in age, but we still look good, can we get a witness?
Anyway in all seriousness, we knew we were destined for something we just didn’t know what it was. Our mentors have always encouraged us to keep serving and seeking God. As it is in the serving that we will discover our calling.
It wasn’t until just these last few weeks that it began to sink in our finite minds, that we are living our purpose by walking in the gifts God has given us. Confirmation of your calling shows up in various forms to all people. For some, it could be turning your business into a profit. It could be rising to the top in sports, or landing a record deal with your amazing voice!
For us, our success is measured in the growth of others. Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed real spiritual and personal growth among our congregation. To see them light up with excitement sharing with us how they applied God’s Word and seeing it affect their lives, brought so much joy to our heart’s we literally can’t find the words to explain it.
And then it hit us. We knew that the overwhelming joy we felt in seeing others grow in God, was a confirmation that we were operating right where God wanted us.
We would’ve never thought that one day we would be leading a church or writing this very blog. As it was in our serving that we discovered how much we truly love God and a sincere compassion we have for people.
But, what if we said no to God and sat on the sidelines because we were waiting to discover our purpose?
We have a friend who home schools six children. As much as we admire that, we could never do it, because we know we don’t have the patience. Andre wanted to be a lead guitar player in a rock band. And as much as he loves music, Lord knows he’s not gifted in playing instruments.
While we may not have these gifts we just mentioned; God placed other gifts inside of us that is being unleashed so that we can help lead others to Christ!
One of our blog posts Why You Need a War room has been shared on Pinterest over 1,900 times! That means we were able to help encourage 1900 people to pray! Praise God!
If we didn’t follow the leading of God to serve as Pastors in our church, we would have not started this blog,(which is an extension of our ministry). If we had not started this blog and shared our life’s journey, we wouldn’t have written why it is so important to have a war room.
We heard Ed Young once say Christians need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. And not only has that stuck with us, that revelation has helped us step out of our comfort zone.
When you step out of your comfort zone to do the thing’s God has placed in your heart, He will put a super on your natural and create a supernatural experience! However, that doesn’t mean that discovering your purpose will come without challenges or hard work.
We spend countless hours preparing for sermons, training leaders, and counseling families. Not to mention the time we put into learning how to manage our blog so that we can effectively inspire people to draw close God.
In fact, we felt so strongly in our hearts, that if we going to write a blog, we needed to do it well. As a result, we took a course to give us the guidance and tools we needed. And we are so thankful to God that we chose to be uncomfortable and step out!
If you’re struggling to discover your purpose, we would encourage you to consider the following:
First And Foremost, Seek God
Ask Him to show you, confirm and lead you down the right path. One book that helped us during the time we were seeking God was The Purpose Driven Life. There is so much more to life than going to work, taking care of the family and going to church. If you wondered what on earth am I here for, you have got to read; The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
Think About What Comes Easy To You, But Difficult To Others
We’ve heard someone says this, and it made so much sense.
The grace that you walk-in to do the things you love, will come easier to you. That’s because God placed that gift in you and has given you the grace for it.
Yes, it may require some learning, and practicing to perfect your gifts. But when there is something, deep down, inside of you that excites you, that’s a confirmation that you’re one step closer to discovering your purpose.
In The End
If you’re not finding joy in the midst of the chaos of life, then we encourage you to resist the temptation to stack your life up against someone else’s. Just do what God has given you the grace to do! Then give yourself time to grow in your gift by learning, seeking God and most importantly following the Holy Spirit.
“If you want something you’ve never had you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”
~ Thomas Jefferson
Do you know your purpose? Tell us about it in the comment section below. We would love to hear YOUR story!
André and Timberley Gray
Wow. This post showed up right when I needwd.to read it. Thank you fr sharing these tips. I’ve been going through a storm these past few months to where I put my biz on hold. During that time, I’ve been reading and praying. I’ve asked God what should I be doing, hoping that I would have heard from him by now. Thank you again as I plan to write out your steps and do them. Maybe something will show up on my writing. God Bless You Both.
That’s awesome Hope! So glad God brought this post to you right when you needed it. Many times we put too much thought into it what are we suppose to do, instead of just doing what God has called us to do in the moment. As sometimes it is “in the doing” we discover our purpose. We trust that as you seek God earnestly He will direct your path. ~ Blessings
I can’t figure out my purpose or any talent that I may have. It’s so upsetting. So glad that there are articles and blogs like this to read.
Christina we trust that as you seek God, He will help you discover your purpose for Him. We encourage you to just seek and trust Him and in time you will know. ~ Blessings
What happens when you have a purpose and gift, but the Church you attend make you wait before you can serve. What do I do? I’m becoming discouraged.
Shelia, we are so sorry to hear that, and we can understand how discouraging that can be. If the church you attend you have made your church home, there must be a reason God led you there. So we would encourage you to speak with your Pastor or leader for clarity.
As we have just moved into a whole new area in the country in our retirement from our payed jobs, and believing God has placed a longing in us for greater intimacy with both Him and others, combined with a disenchantment with the regular model of church, ie large numbers, we feel drawn to starting or joining a home church which Francis Chan speaks about since he himself stepped down from the mega church he once Pastored .
Here in Australia we have many cultural differences to you in America, but some things are universal, and that’s our faith in a personal and relevant God who can anything, but so wonderfully wants to use us to do it and is always changing us to be more like His son Jesus, and that gets me excited.
Thank you for all do.
Dianne
Hi Dianne thank you for stopping by to read. Yes we have heard of Francis Chan model he speaks about. In fact we meet once a week but our community small groups take place in our homes. Because that is where we are able to really do “life” with each other. May God continue to lead, direct and confirm your purpose. ~ Blessings Timberley