Purpose Beyond Ourselves

“It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” Ephesians 2:10 (TLB)

God put me on earth to make a contribution—and he’s calling me to a service far beyond anything I could ever imagine.

I wasn't created just to consume resources—to eat, breathe, and take up space. I was created to add to the world around me, not just to take from it. God wants me to give something back—to help other people. God designed me to make a difference with my life.

The Living Bible paraphrase says, “It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others” (Ephesians 2:10).

Whenever I serve others in any way, I am actually serving God. As Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master. In fact, the Lord Christ is the one you are really serving, and you know he will reward you” (CEV).

In one of his parables, Jesus said, “The king will answer, ‘Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me’” (Matthew 25:40 CEV).

And the apostle Paul shared the same message: “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Ephesians 6:7 NLT).

God said it this way to the prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament: “Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work” (Jeremiah 1:5 NCV).

When most people think of this “special work,” they think of pastors, priests, and professional clergy. But God says that he expects every member of his family to minister. In the Bible, the words servant and minister are synonyms; service and ministry are synonyms too. As a Christ follower, I am a minister. And when I'm serving, I'm ministering.

God didn’t just immediately take me to heaven the moment I accepted his grace. He has left me in a fallen world? He leaves me here to fulfill his purposes.

Once I am saved, God wants me to be part of making his goals a reality here on earth. That means God has a ministry for me in his church and a mission for me in the world!

In summary:

God intentionally created and redeemed us through Christ to live lives of purpose, specifically by helping and serving others. We were not made merely to exist or consume, but to contribute and make a meaningful difference in the world. Scripture consistently affirms that when we serve people—no matter how ordinary or unnoticed the task—we are ultimately serving God Himself, and He honors that work. This calling is not limited to pastors or clergy; every Christ follower is a minister, because service and ministry are inseparable. God leaves believers on earth after salvation so they can fulfill His purposes, carrying out a ministry within the church and a mission in the world, living out the good works He planned long ago.

Bottom line:

I was intentionally created and redeemed by God to serve others and fulfill His purposes, and every act of service—no matter how small—is meaningful ministry that honors Him.

Next Steps:

Choose one specific place this week—at church, work, or in your community—where you can consistently serve, and commit to showing up and helping in a tangible way.

The Call That Changes Everything

“Now you belong to him who was raised from death in order that we might be useful in the service of God.” Romans 7:4 (GNT)

Jesus came to earth with a mission. God has a mission for my life, as well.

“You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you” (1 Peter 2:9 GW).

Part of that mission is to help others. Regardless of my job or career, I am called to full-time Christian service. A “non-serving Christian” is a contradiction in terms.

The Bible says, “He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose” (2 Timothy 1:9 GNT).

Often we think that being called by God is something only missionaries, pastors, and other full-time church workers experience, but the Bible says every Christian is called to service.

God has given me unique talents and abilities to benefit others, and he’s gifted others with talents and abilities to benefit me. If I don’t share my talents with those around me, they’ll be cheated. If they don’t share their talents with me, I’ll miss out. 

Everything in society says, “It’s all about me.” Yet nothing could be further from the truth! God is calling me to use my gifts to help others..

When I use my God-given abilities to help others, I'm fulfilling my calling. The Bible says, “Now you belong to him who was raised from death in order that we might be useful in the service of God” (Romans 7:4 GNT).

Jesus glorified God by fulfilling his mission. God wants me to follow that example.

In summary:

Every Christian is called to live on a mission by serving God and others, not just those in formal ministry roles. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, believers belong to Christ so they can be useful in God’s service, fulfilling a purpose rooted in God’s calling rather than personal achievement. Scripture affirms that each person is uniquely gifted to benefit others, and that service is essential to Christian identity—there is no such thing as a non-serving Christian. In a culture focused on self, God calls believers to use their talents for the good of others, reflecting Jesus’ example of glorifying God by faithfully carrying out His mission.

Bottom Line:

I was saved on purpose and for a purpose—to belong to Christ and use my God-given gifts in service to others, bringing glory to God by fulfilling my mission.

Next Steps:

Clarify my service lane. Take time this week to clearly articulate how God has uniquely wired you to serve. Identify the overlap between: my gifts, my leadership and coaching strengths, and to identify the people I feel most burdened to help. Choose and commit to one place to serve consistently, where I can use my gifts. Turn calling into content by translating this truth into something shareable focusing on the message: Every believer is called to serve, not spectate. Invite others into purpose Lastly evaluate my calendar through the lens of mission. Adjust one commitment so your calendar matches your calling.

Stop thinking about calling in theory and start living it in practice—serve deliberately, lead intentionally, and help others discover that they, too, were saved to make a difference.

The Freedom of a Focused Life

“I know where I came from and where I am going.” John 8:14 (NIV)

For many people, modern-day life is fast-paced and pressured. But I can find the antidote for modern stress in an ancient book? Open up the Bible and read about the life of Jesus. He faced near-constant stress but handled it with peace—because he knew his calling and he concentrated his life around it.

Jesus said, “I know where I came from and where I am going” (John 8:14 NIV).

What about me? Do I know what God has called me to do? All of us are called by God. He put me on earth for a certain task, and he SHAPEd me to be able to fulfill that task. He’s given me a unique combination of Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences.

God doesn’t want me to be driven by the pressure of the world around me. He wants me to be driven by his purpose for me—by my calling. The apostle Paul said, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1 NIV).

Once I’ve figured out my calling, I need to concentrate on it—to focus on what matters most. 

It’s easy to get distracted and busy—to fill my life with good things rather than the best things. But Jesus knew that a powerful life is a focused life. The Living Bible paraphrase says it this way: “As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will” (Luke 9:51).

And Paul said it like this: “This one thing I do . . .” (Philippians 3:13 KJV). He didn’t say, “These 40 things I dabble in.” He said, “This one thing I do.” That’s focus.

Both Jesus and Paul understood this idea: Diffused light has very little power, but focused, concentrated light has enormous power. Light focused through a magnifying glass can burn paper; light focused as a laser can cut through steel.

If I'm finding myself feeling stressed out today, it may be because my life is unfocused. Take the time to discern my calling and then concentrate my life around it. I'll find that my stress will decrease and my effectiveness in life will increase!

In summary:

Jesus lived with peace and purpose even amid constant pressure because He knew exactly who He was, where He came from, and where He was going. In the same way, I can reduce stress and live with greater focus by discovering and committing to the calling God designed me for. He uniquely SHAPEd me—through my Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences—to fulfill a specific purpose. When I let God’s purpose, not the world’s pressure, drive my life, I move from distraction to direction. Like Jesus and Paul, who lived with intentional focus, I can experience greater peace and power by centering my life on “this one thing” God has called me to do.

Bottom line:

Clarity of calling brings focus, and focus brings peace—when I align my life with God’s purpose, stress fades and effectiveness grows.

Next step:

My next wisest step is to clarify and articulate my God-given calling in one clear statement—a sentence that captures why I do what I do and who I'm called to serve. Then, align my daily priorities with that calling by identifying one or two areas where my time or energy is diffused and begin simplifying or delegating them. This will create margin for what matters most and allow me to live with the peace, focus, and purpose that reflect both my leadership calling and my desire to influence others with intentionality and faith.

Purpose Found in Stillness

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)

Calling and vision go together. God’s call on my life is his vision for my life. If I want to get God’s vision for my future and experience real transformation, then I’ve got to get his call on my life.

When people hear someone talk about being “called by God,” they sometimes think of it as a scary thing—as if anyone who is called has to be a missionary or pastor or go to some remote part of the world to serve God.

But God’s calling isn’t something spooky or complicated. It’s simply God’s plan and purpose for my life.

Everybody in the whole world is called by God. We are all called to know God and to love him—and to share his love with others. He also calls us to serve him and to use our talents to honor him. The only question is, are we going to answer his call?

To hear God’s call, I’ve got to pay attention to him, which means I have to slow down. I have to make room in my life to make knowing God my first priority.

I can miss Jesus’ call if I'm not paying attention. I might’ve been so focused on my own goals, that I wouldn’t have noticed the unexpected way God was calling me—through the noises in the life.

One way to hear God’s call is to spend regular, consistent time alone with God reading the Bible, praying, and just being still. Isaiah 30:15 says it like this: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” (NIV).

When I hear God’s calling in my life and go after it, I will succeed—because God always blesses the vision and calling he gives his people. I need to have and experience quiet time with God, and learn just how much he wants to bless me as I pursue and fulfill my calling.

In summary:

Isaiah 30:15 reminds me that true strength and salvation come through repentance, rest, quietness, and trust in God. To experience real transformation and discover God’s vision for my life, I must embrace his calling—his unique purpose and plan for me. This calling isn’t reserved for pastors or missionaries but is for everyone: to know, love, and serve God, and to share his love with others. However, to hear his call, I must slow down, eliminate distractions, and prioritize time alone with God through Scripture, prayer, and stillness. By doing so, I open my heart to his direction and receive the blessings that come from following his purpose.

I'm Here, Now, for a Purpose

“Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NIV)

A lot of people think God only calls preachers and missionaries and those who are “super spiritual.” But God’s calling is for everyone! God has called every one of us to make a difference with our lives. The problem is that some of us are not picking up the phone.

I can’t just wonder what I should do with my life or figure it out for myself. I have to ask God what he created me to do. And then, day by day, I have to look to God’s Word for confirmation that I'm doing what God wants me to do.

It’s time to answer God’s call!

Discerning a call is not just a matter of life and death like it was for Esther—it’s more important than life or death because eternity is in the balance. It's not just talking about helping people in the here and now. We’re talking about their eternal destinies. My calling includes my mission—to tell other people about the gospel, that Jesus loves them and wants to be their Savior and friend, that he died so they could know God and be with him forever.

God is working all things for his good. And I can be part of that—when I tell God that I'll go wherever he wants me to go and do whatever he wants me to do.

In Esther 4:13-14, Esther’s cousin Mordecai sends this word to her: “Do not think because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (NIV).

Mordecai knew that this young, poor, orphaned, Jewish girl had not become the queen of Persia by accident. He knew that God put her in that position “for such a time as this.”

God has a destiny for my life. He brought me to this place at this time for a purpose. If I want to know what he has called me to do, I only have to ask and listen.

In summary:

God's calling is for everyone, not just preachers. Like Esther, I am placed where I am for a reason. I must seek God’s purpose, listen, and respond. My mission includes sharing His love and making an eternal impact. Now is the time to answer His call.

My mission—to tell other people about the gospel, that Jesus loves them and wants to be their Savior and friend, that he died so they could know God and be with him forever.

I’m Gifted for Such a Time as This

In review of Esther 4:14 it says, “If you keep quiet at a time like this, God will deliver the Jews from some other source, but you and your relatives will die; what’s more, who can say but that God has brought you into the palace for just such a time as this?” (TLB)

When I face challenges in life, seek to know what God wants me to do, and then do it, confident that he will do his part. I don't know ahead of time how he will accomplish his will. Trust God and prepare to be surprised by the ways he demonstrates his trustworthiness.

After I identify my gifts and the needs that stir my heart, there is a third step: Take the time to hear God’s call for my life.

God didn’t recruit me without a calling. God calls everybody to use the gifts and the passion they have, but not everyone picks up the phone.

The only way I’ll hear is if I listen. I’ve got to be quiet. I’ve got to get alone and spend time with God.

When Mordecai sent Esther word that the Jews were going to be annihilated, he basically told her in Esther 4:13-14, “Don’t think that you can just ignore this disturbing trend. Yeah, I know it’s been tough, but this is your destiny. God put you here. It’s no accident that you are a Jewish woman and now the queen of Persia.”

It’s important to read on and see Esther’s response to Mordecai in Esther 4:16: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susan, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days . . . I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law” (NIV).

Esther knows confronting the king is likely to mean certain death. She’s going to have to use her gifts of beauty, intelligence, and personality to persuade him. But before she goes to see him, she sets aside three days to retreat, fast, and pray before God.

As I seek God’s call on my life, I too need to follow Esther’s example. First, get all the support I can. Esther had Mordecai and the Jews pray for her. I need to get my small group to support me in prayer. If I don’t have a small group, now is the time to find one.

And second, get extended time alone with God. Schedule a retreat with God. Whether it's overnight, a weekend, or longer if I can, I won’t hear God’s call on my life if I don’t get alone with him.

In summary, If I keep quiet at a time like this, God will deliver the Jews from some other source, but myself and those I know and work with will suffer. God has brought me into this situation / time for just such a time as this. When I face challenges in life, I need to seek to know what God wants me to do, and then do it, confident that he will do his part. I don't know ahead of time how he will accomplish his will. I just need to trust God and be surprised by the ways he demonstrates his trustworthiness. After I identify my gifts and the needs that stir my heart, take the time to hear God’s call for my life. God didn’t recruit me without a calling. God calls everybody to use the gifts and the passion they have. The only way I’ll hear is if I listen, be quiet, get alone and spend time with God. But before Esther goes to see the king, she sets aside three days to retreat, fast, and pray before God. As I seek God’s call on my life, I too need to follow Esther’s example. First, get all the support I can. Next, get extended time alone with God. I won’t hear God’s call on my life if I don’t get alone with him.

This verse and devotional are in line with something my team mentioned yesterday that made sense for me to do. In my situation, I have been removed from upper leadership. My response has been to back away and let the upper leadership deal with and provide direction. However, what we are seeing is that they are missing so many things and not really providing the guidance needed. I should not be keeping quiet and not taking leadership over the gaps they are leaving. Rather I should do what needs to be done, not only for my team but for the organization they are starting to hurt. I should trust God and finish well.

Father, this morning I pray with the help of the Holy Spirit that I can be re-energized and step up to know what needs to be done. To lead and assist others and the organization. I thank you for providing my team to remind me of this. I also pray for wisdom and guidance for my day, my tasks, my leadership and my interactions with others. I also thank you for providing the opportunity to speak with a leader in a different organization about my passions, my experience and my skill sets. These things I pray and thank you through your Son Jesus, Amen.

Don’t Miss This Call

In review f Romans 8:28, it says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (NLT)

What I’m learning and being reminded of, is that God works in "everything," not just isolated incidents, for my good. This doesn't mean that all that happens to me is good, as evil is prevalent in our fallen world. But God is able to turn every circumstance around for my long-range good. He's not working in my life to make me happy, rather to fulfill his purpose for me. He does this because I choose to love him. He has called me. As a result I have a new trust, perspective and mindset. I trust in God, not in life's treasures; because my security is in heaven, not here on earth. I'm also being taught to not have my faith waver when pain or persecution comes, because I know that God is with me. 

If I was told that God was going to call me sometime today, would you be excited or scared? Would I let the call go through to voicemail, or would I answer right away?

The truth is, the Bible says God has already called me. Now, it’s not the same as a phone call, except that it is a message directly to me from God and it is personal, one-to-one.

The call of God is my life’s mission, the one he gave me when he created me. But I shouldn't confuse my calling with my career. For example, maybe I’m called to be a teacher, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll be in a classroom. Or I may be called to be a writer, but that doesn’t mean I’ll work in journalism or even write novels.

My calling is far more significant than any job. It is an all-encompassing mission that rests at the center of my life and should influence everything I do.

Throughout the Bible, God calls people to fulfill this special mission, such people as Noah and Abraham and Moses and David and Nehemiah and Mary and Peter and Paul. They each had a unique role that supported God’s plan to redeem humanity.

And the Bible says that God has called me to an equally important task.

Paul writes in Ephesians 1:18, “My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people” (CEV).

The greatest of those glorious blessings is my intimate relationship with God. Focus on him, and he’ll talk to you about your calling.

In summary, God causes everything to work together for my good because  love God, and am responding to his purpose for me. Not everything that happens to me will be good. However, God is able to turn every circumstance around for my long range good. He's not working to make me happy, rather to fulfill his purpose for me. He does this because I have chosen to love and respond to him. I now have a new trust, perspective and mindset. I'm learning to trust God, not lives treasures, as my security will be in heaven and not here on earth. My faith is also growing so that when pain or persecution comes, I know that God is with me.

Father I thank you for the reminder that you are working in me to fulfill what you want me to do in this life. You use the things that happen, either because of my negligence or from others to grow me and my faith. I pray this morning that you will help to point out your purpose for me so that I can fulfill it. I also ask for your wisdom and guidance in my work tasks, my leadership and my interaction with others. Help me with the right perspective I should maintain today. Also thank you for what you're doing in my life with my health. I continue to ask for wisdom for the Doctor’s as they help determine the cause of my swelling and with the other things that are being discovered as they run tests. I also thank you for the relief I have been given through their guidance. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen.

Managing Stress Like Jesus: Know Your Calling

In review of Epesians 4:1 it says, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (NIV).

Today’s verse comes from Ephesians 4:1-2, where Paul who became a prisoner for serving the Lord, urges me as well to lead a life worthy of my calling as well. For I have been chosen and called by God. In doing so I should always be humble and gentle. Be patient with others, and make allowances for other's faults because of how I choose to live my life.

Paul tells me that God has chosen me to be Christ's representative on earth. In light of this truth, he challenges me to live a life worthy of that calling that I have received. It is the awesome privilege of being called Christ's very own. This includes me being humble, gentle, patient, understanding, and peaceful. Others are watching my life. Can they see Christ in me? How well am I doing as his representative?

I have a calling. God doesn’t just call pastors and missionaries. The overwhelming message of Scripture is that God calls each of us to a specific purpose and mission.

However when I don’t know what God is calling me to do, it causes stress.

In the last few days, I’ve been looking at principles of stress-free living from the life of Jesus. So far I’ve looked at: Identification: Know who you are and Motivation: Know whose approval you are living for. A third principle of stress-free living from the life of Jesus is this: the Principle of Vocation. I have to know my calling.

Vocation comes from the Latin word for voice and means what God has called me to do. I must settle my vocation if I want to cut down on my stress.

Jesus knew his calling. He said in John 8:14, “I know where I came from and where I am going” (NIV). And Jesus understood his unique purpose, and he lived for it.

My life is driven by something. Sometimes it's driven by regret or anger. Sometimes it’s driven by shame. Sometimes it’s driven by money or sex.

God wants my calling to drive my life. How do I know what I’ve been called to do? I’m encouraged to think and pray through my specific SHAPE. That means I consider my:

Spiritual gifts (For me teaching and shepherding)

Heart (what I love to do)

Abilities (I have some technical skills, I can listen, organize and present, give guidance)

Personality (light hearted, easy-going)

Experiences (experiences in a wide variety of things; leading, finances, purpose)

God won’t give me a calling that I’ll find miserable. He’ll call me to do something I enjoy and something I’m good at.

Paul writes in Ephesians 4:1, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (NIV).

I should learn to continually ask myself: Am I doing what I’m called to do?

Bottom Line:

As a prisoner for the Lord, we are urged to live a life worthy of the calling we have received.

What this means to me:

As a prisoner for what He was doing for the Lord, Paul urges me as one of God's chosen, to also live a life worthy of the calling I have received.

In summary, I should leave a life worthy of my calling. I have been chosen and called by God himself. My life should characterized by being humble, gentle and patient with others. I am to be an example for others to watch and see. Am I reflecting Christ in what I do?  When I don't know what God is calling me to, or I get off track from it, it will cause me stress. Therefore I must know my calling. God wants my calling to drive my life. To do this, it is helpful to review my SHAPE. My Spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personalities and my experiences. God won't give me a calling that is miserable. Rather he'll call me to something I enjoy and something I'm good at. Am I doing what I'm called to do?

Today Father I ask you to help me think through my true calling. Help me to make this part of my life. Give me relief from the stress of the constant pressure and drain I’m under at my current work assignment. Give me your wisdom and guidance as I plan for some future tasks. Help me to lead and interact with those around me in a loving manner. In you Son Jesus name I pray, amen!