Here’s a question with an obvious answer: What is the purpose of a water bottle?
It’s designed to carry water and keep you hydrated, of course.
You could use your water bottle to carry sand at the beach. But that would make it dirty and unfit for its intended purpose. Sand in my water bottle? No thanks!
Now here’s a question with a less obvious answer: What is your life purpose?
Do you know what you were designed to do? And how you are supposed to serve God? That can be harder to figure out.
Let’s start with the dictionary definition of purpose: the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
To know your purpose, you need to know why you were created and what you were designed to do.
Why Were You Created?
God wants you to be His child—and His friend. Listen to what He says through the prophet Isaiah: “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you. … Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. … You were precious in My sight. … I have loved you” (Isaiah 43:1, 4).
You were created because God loves you and wants you. Your parents may not have wanted you, but God does. You were not an accident.
He had you in mind long before you were born. In fact, He says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you” (Jeremiah 1:5).
But did He have a specific purpose in mind for you—something that you are supposed to do with your life?
What Am I Designed For?
Yes! God designed you to glorify Him. “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7).
Your purpose is to glorify God. And just like a water bottle will function best when it is used for its intended purpose, you will live your best life when you do what God designed you to do.
But what does it mean to glorify God?
God tells us a few verses later: “You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He” (Isaiah 43:10).
To be created for God’s glory is to live as evidence of who God is—witnesses to His existence, character, and saving power.
You and I have the privilege of showing the universe how amazing our God is. When we choose to follow Him and give Him permission to change our lives, we bear witness that God truly is a God of love, mercy, and power.
Annika’s Story
Annika grew up in a nominal Catholic home. A statue of Mary stood in a little alcove, and she learned to cross herself when she prayed. But Jesus didn’t mean much to her. Life was tough, and things didn’t go well for her for a while.
When things got really bad, Annika started seeking God for herself. Jesus met her in that hard time, and Annika fell in love with our Savior. She began reading her Bible and praying every day. Joy replaced the fear and anxiety that she had been feeling. Right away, she began telling her family about her newfound faith in Jesus. She had become a witness.
How to Be a Witness
Sometimes being a witness means traveling around the world to be a missionary. Or it may mean sharing with your family as Annika did.
Often, being a missionary means simply letting your actions show that you are a child of God—doing your best work at school, praying with your little sister when she is sad instead of being mad at her, putting away the clean dishes without having to be asked.
Anytime you choose to surrender your own desires to God and live like Jesus, you are being a witness.
Here Am I, Send Me!
Long ago, a young man named Isaiah was worshiping God in the temple. While he was there, he saw a vision of God on His throne and heard this request: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” (Isaiah 6:8).
Isaiah answered the call, saying, “Here am I! Send me.”
How about you? Will you answer God’s call to glorify Him? You don’t have to wait until you grow up or finish school to begin working for God. As you spend time with Jesus each day, He will give you insights into how you can serve Him and others. He will enable you to be a witness—every day of your life.
Would you like to know more about God’s purpose for your life? Listen to the “Here Am I, Send Me!” youth conference. Find it here: AFYouth.com.