Welcome to Your Purpose in Life.org where our sole purpose is to help you discover your purpose!
What is my life’s purpose? What am I doing in this world? What’s the point of it all? We’ve all asked these questions at one time or another. Some of us have spent our entire lives looking for the answers. We can’t help it. We’re human. We’ve hardwired to search for meaning…
Are you searching? If you are, then you’ve come to the right place!
We all yearn to discover what our purpose in life is. It’s one of life’s most perplexing, most sought-after, and most important questions. Metaphorically speaking; discovering one’s purpose in life is like finding a “hidden treasure.” It unleashes riches and treasures beyond one’s wildest imagination and will unbind you and provide a sense of freedom like never experienced before. This discovery will not only help simplify, prioritize, and energize your life, but it will also give you deep and lasting joy, peace, and fulfillment in life.
So, let the
“purpose unveiling”
begin!
Our Desire for Happiness
We all want to be happy in life, and consequently we crave satisfaction, pleasure, joy, and contentment. We desire it, we expect it, and we pursue it relentlessly irrespective of the price we must pay for it! The problem is our quest for deep and lasting happiness often eludes us. But do not despair! We have good news. You can have lasting joy and happiness if you pursue it the right way.
“Focusing on Self” Approach
Most of us define “happiness” as feeling good and having fun. So, you would expect the more pleasure or fun you have, the happier you should be. But somehow that is not the case. Studies reveal that having an increase in leisure time, money, status, sex, popularity, hobbies, sports, travel, education or entertainment does not make you happier. Rather, and to the surprise of many, it actually tends to lead to an increase in discouragement, disappointment, and depression.
These “pursuit of happiness” activities have one common denominator – they all focus on “self.” When one’s mission in life is to pursue the illusion of happiness and pleasure, the result is to become “Me-Focused.” Unfortunately, “Me-Focused” happiness is short-lived and dependent on present-day circumstances. Because at the very moment life throws us a curve ball, and pain or disappointment sets in, we find ourselves back in the proverbial hamster wheel, chasing after lasting happiness that will never come.
Adding fuel to the fire, our culture promotes this “Me-Focused” approach by telling us to ‘be yourself, believe in yourself, express yourself, and satisfy yourself.’ The problem is when one’s purpose in life is to pursue pleasure by only appealing to themselves, the road will almost always lead to confusion, frustration, and emptiness.
The self-focused approach typically involves the person searching within themselves to discover their purpose in life.
- “What do I want to be?”
- “What do I enjoy?”
- “What am I good at?”
- “What are my aspirations?”
Unfortunately, these self-centric questions will never reveal your true purpose in life. They will not tell you why you were placed on planet Earth. Why not? Because you did not create you, so you do not know what you were intended for.
This self-focused approach is also fed by popular “self-help” books and seminars that advise us to “set goals, aim high, be disciplined, and just do it”. While these teachings, methodologies, and recommendations are not inherently bad, they pertain to being “successful in life” via possessions, positions, and popularity which is NOT the same thing as learning one’s “purpose in life.” In other words, determining your “profession” or “pastime” in life has nothing to do with discovering your “purpose” in life, but for now, let’s simply categorize these items as your “secondary” purpose in life. Our mission is for you to first discover your “primary” purpose in life and then we can circle-back on these secondary matters.
- Your primary purpose in life.
- Your secondary purpose in life.
It’s Not About You
As you will be enlightened shortly, the “primary” purpose of your life is much more than just your happiness. It’s far greater than your job, your family, your hobbies, your goals, and even your dreams (which again we will categorize all these items as your “secondary” purpose in life). But the unprecedented beauty and paradox are, once you realize your primary purpose and begin living it out, you will end up also obtaining deep and lasting joy, happiness, peace and fulfillment.
Everything Has a Purpose
Everything ever created serves a purpose. Inventors always intend a purpose for what they create. To discover the purpose of a created item, one can ask the creator or read the owner’s manual. See the below examples that will help better illustrate this truth:
| Invention | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Car | To transport people via roads. |
| Plane | To transport people and cargo via the sky. |
| Phone | To enable communication remotely. |
| Watch | To keep track of time. |
| Refrigerator | To keep food cold. |
| TV | To educate and entertain. |
| Toothbrush | To clean teeth. |
We all know the purpose of these popular inventions used daily. However, if we did not, we could still find out by asking the manufacturer (the creator) or reading the owner’s manual (the instruction manual). Additionally, it is important to note that these items are only useful if they are used to fulfill their intended purpose. For example, using a toothbrush to brush your hair will not be effective, flying a plane on a highway will be disastrous, and using a refrigerator to bake a cake is pointless. Why? They were not made to do those things. Likewise, when we are not living out our intended purpose in life, we feel out of place, ineffective, and useless. And as a consequence, we experience displeasure, difficulties, and hopelessness.
Know Your Creator
You were designed and created by God (and please stay with us if you happen to be a doubter!). Consequently, the only way to discover your purpose in life is to:
1) Ask your Creator (God).
2) Read His instruction manual (the Bible).
The great news is God has vividly and explicitly revealed His purpose for creating you in His owner’s manual – the Bible.
Before we continue, a few words to those of you struggling with the idea of God being your Creator. We recognize this view is contrary to what our world culture teaches. However, if you fall into this category, please consider the following illustration that references the car, plane, and phone examples above.
Each of these manufactured objects is mechanical, complex, sophisticated, and intelligently designed. As a result, no one would ever believe that these items randomly evolved from “goo, dirt, and wind” over some time. Similarly, humans, who are far more mechanical, complex, and sophisticated (with DNA, cells, eyes, brains, organs, etc.) than cars, planes, and phones also require and demand an intelligent designer.
One final illustration: imagine you were walking on a beach and noticed the message “Be Happy” inscribed in the sand. Regardless of the amount of “sand, water, wind, and time” no one would ever believe this simple message randomly appeared by itself or the sand evolved to communicate with us.
Lastly, “belief” is the key, so to make your belief stronger about everything being created and for a purpose, let’s examine the age-old question about which came first “the chicken or the egg”? Just like God created the first man and woman (Adam & Eve), God created the first chicken (male and female), which in turn laid the first egg! The Bible states on Day 5 of Creation, God created “every winged bird according to its kind” and “with each producing offspring of the same kind” (Genesis 1:20-23). So in summary, God created mature birds with the ability to reproduce and lay eggs.
“Focusing on God” Approach
To understand your true purpose in life, your journey must begin by focusing on God and His message instead of yourself. In other words, instead of looking “within yourself,” you must look “beyond yourself.” The Bible states you were created by God and for God – and until you understand that, life will never make sense. Specifically, the Bible states, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,… all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16, ESV).
It is only in God that we can discover our meaning and primary purpose in life. All other approaches (world’s wisdom, self-help, searching within, etc.) lead us astray from the true path, only to encounter a dead end. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2, NLT).
To find the right path, we must know what God has revealed about our purpose in life as inscribed in His Book. The Bible states instead of seeking “happiness” first, we are to seek “God and His kingdom” first. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, ESV). And just as God intended, when we do, that deep and lasting joy, peace, and significance we’ve been yearning and searching for will come seeking us.
In Summary, just like a treasure map can help you find a hidden treasure, God and the Bible are the maps to help you find "your purpose in life."
When we begin to focus on God and integrate Him into our lives, all of life’s puzzle pieces will start to fit together. We will begin seeing things differently and more clearly. In other words, when we start to view life through our physical and spiritual eyes, we will start seeing the bigger picture and purpose God has for us. God is the great gift giver, and our ability to understand the meaning of life is one of His treasured gifts.
Know Your Primary Purpose
Before we continue, let’s distinguish between your “primary” and “secondary” purpose in life. Your primary purpose in life is the bigger picture beyond yourself purpose that we’ve been unpacking and will continue to unpack. Your secondary purpose in life is identifying your passions, interests, and talents and how to more effectively, intentionally and intelligently apply those towards all the other big, yet secondary, areas of your life (job, relationships, hobbies, goals, dreams, etc.). Although we will spend the majority of our time together ensuring you understand your primary purpose (as it’s vitally important that you get that one right), we will also help you address your secondary purpose.
The Bible reveals four primary purposes for your life:
- GOD-UP
To Know and Love God (“Worship”) – We were made to worship God and to join His family.
The Bible states, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
- GROUP-UP
To Love Others (“Fellowship”) – We were made to fellowship with God’s family and others.
The Bible states, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39
- GROW-UP
To Grow-Up Spiritually (“Discipleship”) – We were made to grow-up spiritually and become like Christ.
The Bible states, “Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13
- GIFT-UP
To Help Build God’s Kingdom (“Ministry”) – We were made to serve the ministry of building God’s kingdom.
The Bible states, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
Now, please don’t panic! These primary “purposes” are in no way suggesting you give away all your material belongings, quit your job, and take up a life in sackcloth and ashes. On the contrary, the Bible speaks about maintaining your existing life (same job, schooling, hobbies, relationships, etc.). However, the key difference is that overtime you will begin living out your life with new plans, perspective, preparedness, priorities, passions, and purpose. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). Did you catch that? God’s plans and purpose for your life involves prospering you!
Finally, if you do not understand, like, or agree with these four life purposes, don’t worry. The key is to keep seeking a deeper understanding and knowledge of these truths. Remember, you did not create you, so it is only logical that you do not get to choose your primary purpose. Now, let’s get back to the good news, as you begin living your life based on these four primary purposes, you will become transformed in so many miraculous ways. And finally, you will find that deep and lasting joy, peace, and fulfillment you strived for throughout your life.
Congratulations! You have reached the end of this page and gained a high-level understanding of “your purpose in life.” We now encourage you to visit the other pages on this website, which further unpacks each of these four primary purposes (as well as a discussion about your secondary purposes in life). The goal is for you to develop a deep understanding of each purpose, so you can apply them to your life.
And, with that being said, let your “purpose-driven” life begin today!
Purpose #1
Purpose #1 – “God-Up” God loves you deeply and desires that you love Him in return...
Read more
Purpose #2
Purpose #2 – “Group-Up” You have now discovered that your first and primary purpose in life...
Read more
Purpose #3
Purpose #3 – “Grow-Up” Your third primary purpose in life is to “Grow-up” spiritually...
Read more
Purpose #4
Purpose #4 – “Gift-Up” Your fourth and final “primary” purpose in life is to help build...
Read more