I’ve spent years chasing purpose, like it was stamped in bold red letters and waved around my life like a checkered finish line flag.
It’s almost impossible not to chase purpose, isn’t it? The world rewards clarity and hustle, while it scoffs at stillness and slow progress. From social media highlight reels to well-meaning advice from our loved ones, there’s this constant hum in the background whispering (or yelling) at us about how we “should’ve figured it out by now.”
But what if purpose isn’t something to be figured out completely, especially not on our own? What if purpose is something that we’re supposed to grow into and “figure out” slowly?
There have been seasons where I’ve felt behind, wondering why I didn’t have a clearer sense of my calling. Words like “meaning,” “purpose,” and “calling” are often thrown around, especially in the Christian community, and I heard them more than I knew what to do with.
I’d see people practically obsessing over finding the calling of God on their life, and I, in turn, began to worry about what that looked like for me.
I worried about what I was “supposed” to be doing, or what God had planned for my life, to the point it caused extreme anxiety and doubt, instead of joy.
I’d pray for answers, but still feel stuck in the in-between.
I saw this big-time when it came to putting my faith in jobs over the God who blessed me with them. I wouldn’t say I was chasing titles or to climb the ladder, but I was still chasing fulfillment in something (or some things) that only God could provide.
I was no longer free and enjoying life, but I was instead in a sort of bondage. Restless. My life felt inadequate and unimportant, and I felt unfulfilled… like I was missing something.
But here’s the truth that I realized after finally taking some time to slow down and reflect: I was, and I am, not missing anything.
God doesn’t rush fruit.
Some seasons are for doing, and some are for becoming.
I’m learning that the quiet, slow seasons – the ones where nothing seems to be happening – are actually where some of the most essential work is taking place. It’s the work that no one can see on the outside, but we see on the inside instead. It’s the work that requires trust, surrender, and stillness.
Rest in God’s love.
Rest in learning from Him.
Rest in being with Him, instead of “being” someone who feels like they don’t need Him.
Rest in lying at His feet because that is enough.
It’s exhausting always trying to “arrive” somewhere in life when we should just rest and trust in God’s timing. The “not knowing” is where faith comes in – believing that God already has it covered.
That chase for “purpose” can truly rob us of enjoying the very life that’s unfolding before our eyes.
If you’re in that kind of season right now where it just feels foggy, I just want to affirm that you’re not behind.
Maybe purpose isn’t something you find at the end of a path, but something that unfolds step by step as you walk in faith.
There’s still so much value in your season and life, even if it doesn’t come with a clear-cut plan or a title.
You’re walking in purpose the moment you surrender your life to Christ, not just seeking His will, but living it day by day.
I pray you find comfort in knowing that God has plans to prosper you. I pray that you remember that you’re taken care of regardless.
Whatever season you’re in right now, may you feel grace in the waiting and peace in the “not yet”.
Your pace is still purpose-filled.
A Few Scriptures to Cling To:
- “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” – 2 Timothy 1 CSB
- “But seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Easy day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6: 33-34 CSB
- “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” – 1 Peter 2: 9-10 CSB
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