What is purpose? Humanity has pondered this question throughout history, with philosophers and filmmakers alike exploring the pursuit and discovery of purpose.
Purpose seems to be something we’re all looking for, and as Christians, we’re not immune to this quest for purpose. While our overall purpose is clear—loving God and loving others—the details of this journey can become convoluted with numerous options. We grapple with identifying our unique talents and gifts, choosing between different ministry roles, discerning our career paths, and selecting life partners.
However, if our calling is confined to these finite labels, what happens when God leads us into new seasons? Do our callings cease to exist? Or is it possible that, despite our diverse backgrounds and individuality, we share a unified calling—the Great Commission?
If you’re feeling like your Christian journey could do with a bit more purpose, remember that sharing Jesus is a calling for all of us. By sharing the gospel, you’re stepping into the divine purpose that Jesus has for your life.
The Great Commission, to go into the whole world and preach the gospel to all peoples (Matthew 28:19-20), is a command given to all believers, regardless of our background or experience. Jesus calls us to find our purpose in the Great Commission – making disciples, teaching everyone to follow Him and living out our faith by His example.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet in the world, reaching out to those who are lost, hurting, or searching for meaning. We should live our lives in such a way that it will make our “invisible” God “visible” to those around us.
Have you ever heard Jesus’ teaching about the harvest? “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few; therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest’” (Matthew 9:37-38). After saying this, Jesus sends out his disciples to proclaim “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” to all the nearby towns (Matthew 10:7).
All the disciples had unique gifts and callings but before he even began assigning these, he called all of them to evangelism: to share the good news of the kingdom that Jesus had arrived.
So the first step to finding your purpose or calling as a Christian is to recognise that everyone is called to evangelism. The next step is to know what that looks like for you.
Street preaching is not the only way to share your faith. (Some of us are introverts!) Spending time daily with the Holy Spirit and living your everyday life in prayerful conversations will go a long way towards uncovering opportunities to share the Gospel with others. Simply spending time each day to ask, “Holy Spirit, what are you doing today? And how can I join you” Seek out resources and training opportunities that will equip you to effectively communicate the gospel in a relatable and engaging way. Finding what you are good at, what you like, and what is in your hand will help you cultivate a genuine passion for sharing Jesus with people.
When you take part in the Great Commission, you’ll not only find purpose but also contribute to the powerful work of building God’s kingdom on earth and in the hearts of people. Let’s be the hands and feet of Christ, reaching out to those in need, and together, let’s reveal the invisible God to a searching world.