The Bible has 1,189 chapters across 66 books, which makes it a tad overwhelming to find the right verses about what your calling is. The good news is that you have plenty to choose from! Many people describe the Bible as being God’s love letter to His creation. God never shies away from telling us how much He loves us and that He only wants good for us. He created every detail of who we are and what we look like, so it should be no surprise that He also made us for a specific reason.
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“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)
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14)
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. (Psalm 143:10a)
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
DEVOTIONAL
Some may tell you that God has no time for you or that He doesn’t exist because He lets too many bad things happen. However, these verses show that He highly values you and has an amazing plan for you.But what if we haven’t figured God’s plan out yet?
Typically, high school and college students have the opportunity to sit down with a guidance counselor to help them determine which classes they should take to reach their goals. Even if we aren’t in that stage of life anymore, we still have a (better) guidance counselor—The Holy Spirit.
In John 14:16-17, Jesus said, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth.” The Holy Spirit wants to be your guide. He may not reveal the full path at once, but He’ll guide you as you put your trust in Him and take one step at a time.
So, how do you find your purpose? John C. Maxwell is a No. 1 New York Times best-selling author, as well as a coach, speaker, and former pastor. He’s also a well-known leadership expert, and he shares three questions that helped him discover his purpose:
- What keeps you up at night with excitement?
- What makes you cry?
- What would you do if your days are numbered?
As you answer these questions, ask the Holy Spirit to help you with the answers.
DECLARATION
A declaration is a formal or explicit statement or announcement. By making a declaration, you’re making a serious and meaningful commitment. You’re essentially announcing that something is so significant to you that you want to commit to its message and mission.
That’s what the key founding fathers were doing when they wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence. For famous figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams, this document helped them sever their connections to Great Britain. It signaled the start of a new, independent country. You may be familiar with this famous line:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
What will you declare today about God and what He has for you? If you don’t know where to start, here’s one way you can declare your love and commitment to God:
I bring my best before God and then some. But it’s what I bring after I give my best that makes the difference. By serving Jesus today, I will strive to make the world a better place. He directs my steps, and I will follow in obedience, trusting Him with my future.
Regardless of what you declare before the Lord, do it with all your heart and soul. You won’t regret it.
PRAYER
Let’s be honest, prayer can seem either overwhelming or…boring. However, it doesn’t have to be. Praying is an honest conversation with God. Like in any conversation, listening is just as important as talking. So be sure to listen to what the Lord wants to tell you.
And remember, you can pray anywhere—not just in church. Furthermore, anyone can pray, not just the elite or religious leaders.
If you need an example of what prayer can look like, here’s one way to approach God:
Lord, thank You that You have a plan and purpose for me. Holy Spirit, guide me to the right path. I surrender my imagination and dreams to You. Lord, let my desires fall in line with what You desire for me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
However, prayer can also be as simple as, “Lord help me” or “God, I’m angry with this situation!”
God hears both and wants to engage in a conversation with you. He wants to help you. The most important thing is that you bring your heart before the Lord and that you’re willing to talk and listen.