Stop wondering about your why

Your highest purpose as a Christian is to glorify God. I understand that as a foundational truth and fail forward daily in that pursuit. But as a man, I still have the innate need to rise each day, hunt something down, and bring it home to my family — as I’m glorifying God.

Throughout history, God has created billions of humans with unique DNA and distinct ways to honor Him. I call these different ways your “why.”

Why did God create you at this moment in time?

I struggled with this essential question for years, and finally, having gotten my answer, I published an article entitled 12 Steps to Discovering Your Purpose-Driven Life.

The first point was, “Know your why.” I’d like to elaborate on this because many men struggle with their “why.” How do I know? Because close to 35% of Christian marriages end in divorce.

Men anchored in their why can survive midlife crises and avoid marriage-crushing adulterous affairs.

Lack of purpose leads to lives of quiet desperation

But again, the ultimate why is to glorify God. That alone should suffice. However, I understand the meandering soul who struggles to discover God’s plan for his life. Rising each morning and retiring to bed each evening, day after day, month after month, year after year without this knowledge crushes many men.

Thoreau was correct when he said,

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.

So, they lash out against this desperation and latch onto things that rattle their numbness. They want to feel alive. And God looks on with a tear knowing their pleasure will be fleeting and end with guilt, bitterness, and destroyed lives.

Finding your purpose can begin only one way

I’ll say this as directly as possible and loud enough for those in the back to hear —

discovering your “why” begins with your relationship with God.

For 20 years of my Christian walk, I worked hard, provided for my family, served my church, and read the Bible randomly. Yet I had a lackluster relationship with the Lord, unlike the one Jesus commanded in Matthew 6:33:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Then, in February 2021, I committed to reading through the entire Bible. Two years later, I’m on my fifth time through. During this process, God revealed my “why.” Was there a magical, mysterious code that I unearthed in the pages of Deuteronomy?

Not at all.

God wants you to know your purpose

Thousands of pages read equated to hundreds of dedicated hours alone with God. For the first time in my life, I genuinely sought the kingdom of God. I believe this commitment delighted God, just as it fills your heart with happiness when your child desires to spend time with you.

When I asked God what He wanted me to do with my life, I felt him say, 

What is your slightest inkling, the faintest hint of what you want to do?

My only response was writing. And He said, “Pursue that.”

I’d been asking for years, but God was silent, or I couldn’t hear Him. That changed after He and I developed a real relationship.

Get serious with God about your purpose

If you’re tired of going through the motions and meandering in life, get serious with God. Seek Him first and build a relationship with your Creator. He isn’t playing hide the ball with you. He just wants your priorities in the proper order.

You’ll thank me later.

---

If you enjoyed this post and got value from it, please share it on your social media channels or send the link to a friend. I also invite you to follow the blog via email. 🙂