One way for a Christian to glorify God is by finding God's purpose for his or her life.  In John 17:4, Jesus said, "I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to."  Just like Jesus did, you can bring glory to God as you live out and fulfill His purpose in your life.  

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A lot of people are searching for their purpose, but many times they get lost, get turned around or get on the wrong track, because they are trying to find their purpose in all the wrong places.  God is the one who gives us our purpose, and He is the one who will reveal it to us and see us along every step of our path to discover that purpose.

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Dr. Tony Evans wrote a very good description of God establishing your purpose in a devotional entitled, "Discover Your Purpose".  He says:

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"God works similar to how a carpenter works to build a house.  A carpenter does not start nailing pieces of wood together and hope that he eventually comes up with a house.  No, first a design is created of what the house is supposed to look like.  Measurements are determined, along with a plan as to where critical components will be placed or run such as electricity, plumbing, water and heating.  Only when the carpenter can see the finished work on his blueprint does he begin digging the foundation and ordering the materials.

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When God says that He works from the end to the beginning, He is saying that He has already completed the blueprint in the spiritual realm for what you are to do in the physical realm.  He knows your destiny.  His goals for you are already made.  His desires for you have already been determined.  He has already dreamed His dream for you.  What He is doing now is simply rolling back through time to look for your cooperation to begin walking in what He has already prepared for you to do."

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In order to find your God-given purpose, below are a few steps that may help you:

 

1.  Connect with God.  If you do not get your life hooked up with God, you will end up going in circles, or going nowhere at all.  Dr. Tony Evans wrote another good description of being connected to God in his devotional, "Discover Your Purpose".  He says, "A boxcar on a train as no power to move down the tracks on its own.  It is not going anywhere unless it is hooked up.  Your life as a Christian is like a boxcar on a train.  It should be hooked up to the engine of God's purpose.  If the boxcar of your life is not hooked up to the engine--the purpose for which God has you here--you are not going anywhere.  You are stuck."  To discover your purpose, you have to connect with God, make Him your first priority, ask Him to come into your heart and give Him your life; then He will show you what you need to know and take you where you need to go.

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2.  Pray and then listen.  The best way to discover your purpose is to follow the three P's:  Pray, pray, pray!

God wants to give you a purpose.  Just ask Him and He will not only give you a purpose, but He will reveal it to you.  Ask God for His direction in your life, then listen for His response and guidance.

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3.  Study and read the Bible.  We speak to God through prayer, but God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible.  Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."  While searching for your purpose, read God's Word, and God will light your path of discovery.

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4.  Discover what are your gifts and strengths.  God gives all Christians gifts and not everyone's gifts are the same.  Your gifts and strengths are unique to you.  God has designed your purpose to fit your personality, gifts and abilities. Then He also give you the courage and strength to carry out your purpose with His power.  There is a saying that goes like this, "God does not call the equipped, He equips the called."

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5.  Trust God. You can completely trust God's will and plan for your life.  Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."  His purpose for you is perfect, even though you are not.  Doubts and fears will rear their ugly heads, but do not let fears ground you.  You can overcome them by prayer and reading God's Word.  This is how your faith is made strong.

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You can find peace and joy by serving God daily and following His plan, purpose and calling for you.  Without finding your purpose, you will be merely existing, not living.  God wants you to live!  Remember the promise of Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  When you live your life according to His purpose, He will cause all the things in your life to work for your good and His glory.  Don't you want that today?

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Prayer:  Lord, please open my eyes to the purpose you have for my life.  Help me to walk in the path you have prepared for me.  Show me what you want me to do and where you want me to go.  Lead and guide me along my path of discovery.  Even though I cannot see the end result, help me to remember that you can, and it will, without a doubt, be good! Help me to put you first in my life, and help me to honor you in all that I do.  In Jesus' name, Amen.