Are you at a point in your life where you want something different but aren’t sure what that is? 

Do you wonder what the next chapter of your life looks like? 

Maybe you’ve been praying to discover the plans God has for you. Perhaps you think you know what that is, but you’re afraid to go after it.

How to Discover your Purpose

I think it’s important to know the character of Jesus. If you know that He is good, loving, and generous, you can start to understand the life He wants for you.

A life filled with purpose and passion-where your circumstances prepare you for His good work.

How to Hear Jesus when we’re Surrounded by the Noise of the World

It's easy to get lost in the day-to-day busyness of the world. When you’re rushing through life, you don't have time to be still and listen for what God wants you to know.

I think if you take time to reflect and pray, you’ll discover the life you’ve been living fits into the purpose God has for you. 

Simple Way to Find Jesus Guiding you to Your Purpose

Schedule prayer/conversation with Jesus into your day. Don’t wait until you have time to fit it into your schedule because that time will likely not happen.

1. Schedule time for a walk each day, then talk with God about what’s on your mind.
2. Wake up 15 minutes earlier than the rest of your house and enjoy a conversation with Jesus while having your first cup of coffee.
3. Do you commute to work? Spend your drive time in conversation with Jesus instead of turning on the radio.

How Control Interferes with Discovering God’s Purpose for you

Do you always want things to be perfect? I've always been that person that puts 100% into everything I do. Maybe you can relate. 

Do you like your house to be in order? Do you host Pinterest perfect parties?

The problem with striving for perfection is you think you are in complete control of the situation only to discover that so many things happen outside of your control.

That’s not to say that we shouldn’t take an active role in our lives, but it’s important to remember that we don’t have to do it alone. Jesus is guiding and preparing us for our purpose in life.

Does Trying to Find your Purpose Feel Impossible?

Maybe you’ve gone down the path of trying to discover your passion and purpose only to feel confused and uncertain. I know it felt that way for me!

Three things helped me when I tried to discover my purpose:

• Having Patience- It takes a lot of patience. I know it’s tempting to want the quick answer, but I think that’s our worldly expectation. I think that Jesus is preparing us to step into the role He has planned for us. 
• Reflection-I found it helpful to reflect back on my life. I spent time thinking about what I enjoyed, what others have said I was good at, and what things I lost track of time doing.
• Building a Friendship with Jesus. By far, this step was the most important for determining my purpose in life. If you are interested in developing a stronger relationship with Jesus you can find out more here.

Being led requires a very strong relationship with Jesus because you'll get to know Him and who He is and how He's working in your day.

How do you Figure out your Purpose? 

I have a couple of things you can try that might help you discover God’s plan for you.

First Step to Find God’s Plan for you-What do you Enjoy Doing

• Find a quiet space, in your home, in your neighborhood, or at a park.
• Bring along a pen and paper 
• Say a prayer asking Jesus to open your eyes to what He wants you to take away from this exercise. 
• Then write down everything that you can think of that you enjoy or have enjoyed doing. 
• Write them all down. Don't think about them. Write them down no matter how silly it seems.

How this Exercise Gave me a WOW (Witness of Wonder) Moment 

When I wrote down all the things I enjoyed, a lot came to mind.

• Baking
• Crafts
• Knitting
• Being with family
• Hiking

But then something came to mind, and that stopped me in my tracks-Journaling

I hadn’t thought about journaling and writing since I was in high school. Which I won’t go into details of how long ago that was. Suffice it to say it was more than 10 years:)

I hadn't thought about writing at all since I had been out of school. So when I thought of the word journaling, I was taken aback because it didn't feel like it was coming from my thoughts. 

I began to wonder if journaling was a part of God's plan and purpose for me. When I started this exercise, I wasn’t trying to come up with God's plan for me. I just wanted something different in my life but didn’t know what that was.

How Knowing Jesus Helps you See Him at Work in your Day

As I've learned more about Jesus, Scripture, and worked on my faith life, I recognize that that moment when I wrote down the word journal, It started me noticing him and seeking him more. But what's beautiful about this journey is I can look way back, like back in high school, the comments people made to me about my writing.

I can look back on so many “random” instances where writing and journaling touched my life. That exercise was like a light shining, bright on the path that I should go. It's just one of the many times throughout this journey that I've had a WOW moment, like, WOW, that clearly did not come from me. That is God working in my day. 

If you want to learn more about recognizing your WOW moments, you can find that here.

Pin it for Later

Second Step to Find your Passion and Purpose

Step one was brainstorming the things you enjoy, and this next step will likely take you outside of your comfort zone. But I think it is worth it!

• Think of three people in your life that you're close with.
• Family member
• Friend
• Somebody at Church 
• Somebody at work

• Then ask them what are three things they think you are good at. I know that is a very difficult question to ask someone, but I have some ideas that might make it less awkward for you.
• Start by giving them three things that you think they are good at. They might not be searching for their purpose in life but, who wouldn’t like their day brightened up by hearing three things you think they are good at.
• I asked in an email and said they were under no obligation to respond, but it would be helpful in my journey of trying to figure out what my passion is. Then I said to give you an idea of the type of things I’m looking for; I thought it might be helpful to give you three things that I know you are good at.
• Some things were tasks and skill-oriented. Like you are a talented artist, you write beautiful holiday cards, etc.
• Some of the things were personality traits. I think you are an incredible leader, you always make people feel welcomed and cared for, etc.

I was nervous about sending that email, but I hit send with a cringe on my face. I learned a lot from pushing past my fear, and I think you could too. 

After you complete steps one and two, take some time to compare what you enjoy with what others said you were good at. 

What to do with What you’ve Learned

Now for the most challenging part. At least it was for me. Be still, and don’t rush into something. Take your time and talk it over with Jesus.  Be more aware of how you feel when you are in different situations. 

Just because you get the list of the things you're good at and what you enjoy doesn’t mean you’ll find instant success. This is just one step in the journey of discovering your passion and purpose. The next step is to reflect on some of the following questions.

• What surprised you? 
• What brought you joy? 
• What can you do with your strengths?

You don’t have to figure everything out at once. Pray to Jesus to open your eyes to opportunities He is inviting you into. And pray for patience and an open mind as you walk on the path to discover God’s plan for you.

Keep your eyes open, and you’ll start to see the gentle nudges Jesus is giving to lead you to your purpose. 

ACHIEVE GOD'S PLANS FOR YOU:

Jeremiah 29:11  

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...

• Journal about what you think Jesus wants for his people.
• Do you believe that he wants this for you?

• Knowing that Jesus loves you, what does that encourage you to do? 

• Do you trust God with your dreams? 
• Is there anything that holds you back from fully believing in him?