What Am I Here For?: Reclaiming Your Purpose According to God's Original Intent
By Bethel B Webb
God created human beings to enjoy God and be enjoyed by God through a relationship with Him. (Westminster Shorter Catechism) This relationship was designed to fulfill our deepest longings and give our lives ultimate purpose. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve experienced this perfect harmony, tending to creation and delighting in God's presence. They were given specific instructions what not to do (Gen. 2:17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil), but they were given freedom to determine how to cultivate the resources they were given. However, their disobedience disrupted this relationship, leaving humanity adrift and searching for meaning apart from God.
The Fall's consequences are still felt today as we grapple with defining our purpose. Often, we create our own purposes, driven by cultural expectations, personal ambitions, or a desire to fill the void left by our separation from God. Yet, these self-made purposes ultimately fail to satisfy.
Thankfully, through Jesus, our relationship with God can be restored, opening the door to rediscovering our true purpose. But if this purpose is simply to enjoy God and be enjoyed by Him, why do so many Christians, especially those in ministry, still struggle to find it?
I think two key factors contribute to this struggle.
The Pressure to Be Productive
From a young age, we're asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" This seemingly harmless question ingrains in us the expectation to be productive members of society. In some of our church communities, we might have been taught to view spiritual practices as a means to an end, focusing on productivity. As Christian women, we're often encouraged to prioritize maintaining a productive home. For women called to ministry, the roles can be limited by denominational rules or interpretations of scripture, which can feel restricting and lead to questions about our purpose.
Imagine being let go from your position as a children's ministry coordinator at your local church. If your purpose was solely defined by that role, you might feel lost and adrift without it.
Consider the stay-at-home mom whose youngest child is about to start kindergarten. After 12 years of dedicating her life to raising her children, it's easy for her to question her purpose once that primary role shifts.
Think of the pastor's wife who feels a calling to serve in ministry but finds limited opportunities at her husband's church. If her purpose is solely tied to a specific ministry position, it's natural for her to feel discouraged and unfulfilled.
This focus on productivity can lead us to equate our purpose with our current role or responsibilities. But roles are not synonymous with purpose. The same way as role is not equal to identity or calling. A pastor's wife can find purpose beyond her husband's ministry. A stay-at-home mom's purpose extends beyond raising children. The purpose of the woman in ministry goes beyond the confines of what she must and must not do.
Reframing Our Purpose: Beyond the Great Commission
You might be asking, “How about the Great Commission as a purpose in life?” The Great Commission is undoubtedly important, but it's a commission, not our ultimate purpose. Our core purpose is rooted in the pre-Fall design: to enjoy an intimate relationship with God. When we lose sight of this, even our well-intentioned efforts can become a source of striving and burnout.
By returning to God's original design, we can rediscover the freedom and joy that come from simply being in relationship with Him. This doesn't negate the importance of the Great Commission, but it reframes it. Our service flows from a place of love and delight in God, not an attempt to fulfill this self-created purpose.
Embracing Your True Purpose
When we define our purpose as enjoying God and being enjoyed by Him, it opens up a world of possibilities. It frees us from the pressure to be productive and allows us to find meaning and fulfillment in every season of life.
So, if you're struggling to find your purpose today, turn to the Creator of the universe. He loves you unconditionally and longs to have a deep, personal relationship with you. In His presence, you'll find your purpose.
Bethel was born in Manila and was raised in Laoag City, Philippines. Growing up as a pastor’s kid exposed Bethel to the challenges of full-time ministry. She serves as Women’s Ministry Assistant and partners with Practical Shepherding through providing counseling to pastor’s wives.