Have you ever found yourself wondering what your purpose is in life? Sometimes this question can resonate in our minds after a change in a job or even a change in home dynamics. We feel lost and confused about God’s plans for our lives.
When my youngest son left home, I began to find myself in a downward spiral of confusion and discouragement. I didn’t know who I was anymore, and I felt lost about my purpose in life. No longer was I a caretaker for my children. I felt like my identity and self-worth left with the kids.
In this moment of discouragement a verse from the book of Jeremiah flooded my mind:
God is Not Done With You
God has a plan for your life..
A plan that is good and prosperous..
It’s a plan unlike anything you could ever imagine..
A plan that gives you a future that is full of hope..
When it feels like life is completely out of control and God is a trillion miles away, begin to believe and lay hold of the promise in Jeremiah 20:11. God has a good future in store for you.
An Abundant Life
John 10:10 NLT says:
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
Meditate on this verse for awhile. The thief’s sole purpose is to steal, kill and destroy our lives, dreams, and our purpose. He doesn’t want to see us happy and thriving. The enemy doesn’t want to see us succeeding in our God-given purpose. He wants us to think God is done with us and there is nothing left for us to do but go along our merry way believing our greatest days lie behind us. But God says that He came to give us abundant life. He came to destroy the works of the enemy. The very breath you are breathing today is proof that God has a work for you to do!
The discouragement you may be feeling right now is not going to last forever. God wants to give you a greater vision of who He is and His plans for your life. He wants to help you find the real you that has been forgotten in the busyness of life. Sometimes that means going through a season of quietness and rest so we can hear his still, small voice. Our prayer must be “Lord give me a greater vision of the purpose you have for my life.
How do I Find God’s Purpose for my Life?
There are many ways to find God’s purpose for your life. Ask God to show you the things you are most passionate about and begin to make a list of what He downloads into your heart. Your family and friends may also be able to give you direction by seeing your God-given gifts and talents. God will reveal His purposes for us by the passions He has placed in our hearts. Once you begin to discover what these passions are, you can begin fulfilling your purpose. If you love music, for example, you can ask to join a worship team or give music lesson. If you love teaching, you can volunteer to teach a bible study.
Begin to immerse yourself in the Word of God. Many times we lament about not hearing from God all the while not opening our Bibles to hear what He has to say.
Prayer is always a good way to seek out God’s will for our lives. Allow God to show you how He has been working in your life preparing you for this very moment. He has created you for such a time as this. Pray for insight and ask God to reveal the desires He has planted in your heart so you can continue to fulfill His plan for your life.
Conclusion
I firmly believe that finding your purpose in life, especially during the empty nest season, will give joy and meaning to your life. You don’t have to walk around feeling discouraged and wishing life was like it used to be. God has a plan for you in the here and now. If you begin to seek Him, He will begin to reveal great mysteries to you. Our hardships and pain are never wasted. God takes the emptiness you are feeling and fills it with new meaning. Begin to surrender yourself to God and allow Him to direct your steps. You are made for such a time as this!
Find Joy In Today 
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