B.J. Knefley

What’s your purpose? How would you respond to that question? To rephrase it, why are you here? Is it something you contemplate? Is it essential to know or at least have an idea? I suppose the answer will differ from person to person. A person’s spiritual state will also significantly influence the response, one way or another.

A typical Christian catechism begins by stating that we are to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and then to love our neighbor as ourselves. However, does this truly answer the question of our purpose? Is there more to life and our purpose that we are overlooking? Is it so profound and unique that our purpose becomes deeply personal and distinct to each of us? If we were to discover that we had a unique purpose, would we live our lives differently? Would our values and sense of worth change? Do we perceive our life and actions as crucial to our everyday decisions and life purpose?

When we view life as purposeful, we tend to focus more on others than on ourselves. Additionally, perceiving life as purposeful leads us to look toward something greater than ourselves to help define and fulfill that purpose. Aligning ourselves with this purpose dictates what we will and will not do in life. Our responses to the world and the events that occur will ultimately be filtered through our understanding of our purpose. Interestingly, our purpose is not confined to one thing but encompasses a multitude of aspects played out for a single purpose. For example, a teacher might assume that teaching is their purpose, but what happens when their teaching career comes to an end? Does their purpose then end as well? No, I would argue that although teaching may be part of one’s purpose, it is only a part.

I am reminded that Jesus stated His sole purpose was to do the will of the Father (John 6:38). We know from reading the Gospels that everything Jesus did was related to His Father’s will. Perhaps understanding our purpose involves simply doing His will today. Think about it.