Why Am I Here?

Over the past few months, one of my prayers has been for God to reveal my purpose in life. Months later, I still find myself praying this prayer and frustrated because God has yet to reveal the very thing I’ve been praying so fervently about. Not only has it been frustrating, it has also been somewhat discouraging as I see so many others walking in their purpose. Out of my frustration and confusion, I cried out to God recently during my quiet time and asked Him, “Why have you not yet revealed my purpose to me?”

In that still, quiet moment, God revealed to me that there are prerequisites to Him revealing my purpose. More specifically, He responded, “Le’Asia, I will reveal the purpose I have for your life…

1. Once you totally surrender your life, desires, and plans to my will for you life,

2. As you consistently seek my face,

3. When you learn to obey my commands and the instructions I have given for your life,

4. Once I am done preparing you, and

5. When it is the right time.”

If you are like me, eager to discover your purpose in God and to be used by Him, but frustrated because He has yet to reveal it to you, I challenge you to do just as God instructed me to do and look inward.

Have you totally surrendered your life to God? I mean totally. Unfortunately, we cannot begin to walk in our purpose until we have surrendered every area of our lives to Him — our desires, our plans, our goals, our careers, our money, our relationships…everything. When we surrender our lives to God, we allow God to reign in our hearts and our lives. We also demonstrate to God that we trust in Him, submit to His will for our lives, and make ourselves available to be used by Him.

Another question you must ask yourself is, where am I looking to discover my purpose? Is it a book? A person? Better yet, how are you spending your time? Are you spending all of your free time on social media? Are you busy comparing your life to someone else’s? Or are you simply being idle? Sadly, we waste so much of our time and energy being unproductive and seeking the answers to questions that can only be found by seeking the face of God. Why is it that we are so inclined to seek counsel and direction for our lives from everyone and everything outside of the very One who created us, especially as it pertains to our purpose? God is the only one who knows you from the inside out and knows the plan He had in mind when He created you (Psalm 139). Therefore, if you are eager to discover your purpose — the very reason you were placed on this earth — it will require you to spend time with God daily through prayer and His word.

Discovering and walking in your purpose also requires obedience. As God showed me during my quiet time, disobedience is preventing many of us from walking in our purpose and the promises God has for our lives. Have you let go of that bad habit, unhealthy relationship, or addiction? Have you forgiven that person who hurt you? When God instructs you to do something, do you obey? Let me take it one step further, do you obey immediately? God has revealed to me through His teachings that delayed obedience is equivalent to disobedience.

If we call ourselves children of God and desire to be used by Him, we have to obey His commands and the daily instructions He gives us for our lives. God has to be able to trust those He uses. Can God trust you with the gifts He has placed inside of you? Can He trust you with the anointing He has placed on your life? If God gives you a platform to expand His Kingdom, can He trust you to be a true example of Christ and not lead others astray by living one way publicly but failing to pass those private heart tests? If God is going to use us as His children, He needs to know that He can count on us and when He calls our answer will be “YES!”

In addition to the things mentioned above, God showed me that preparation leads to purpose. Although we may think we are ready to walk in our purpose, God knows what the call He has for our lives will require. God loves us too much to give us something we are not equipped to handle. Therefore, allow God to develop and mature you in this season. When He shows you a weakness, simply humble yourself and heed the correction (Hebrews 12:6).

My brother or sister, don’t be discouraged by this season of your life. Know that the tests you are currently facing are simply preparing you for the next season of your life. Know that God is with you in this unfamiliar place of your life. He had to take you out of your comfort zone in order for growth to occur. Find peace in knowing that God so greatly invests in you (your spiritual and natural growth), because He intends to use you greatly!

Lastly, you may be the individual who has totally surrendered your life to God, consistently seeks His face, obeys His commands, and feels that He has prepared you. God may have even revealed your purpose, but you can’t understand why He hasn’t released you to walk in it. Well my friend, it simply may not be the right time (and by the right time, I mean God’s timing). God has apparently placed you in a waiting season, one that requires patience and trust. Simply rest and allow God to speak to you in this season. Whatever you do, do not move until God has instructed you to do so. Doing things in the wrong season of your life can be counterproductive and burdensome. However, when you do things when God has instructed you to do so He will anoint and grace you to handle whatever He has called you to do.

Finally, I want to remind you just as God reminded me, don’t loose sight of your daily purpose, which is to live a life fully devoted to Him, while seeking to discover your overall purpose in life. Let everything you do bring honor and glory to Him.

Funny enough, after God spoke to me about the things mentioned above, He lead me to the following prayer found in Your Beautiful Purpose. If you have been anxiously seeking to discover your purpose, I encourage you to pray this prayer just as I did.

“Precious Lord, I have decided to trust You every step of the way! Have Your way in me. Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You and lead me in Your everlasting way. Forgive me for my occasional impatience and shortsightedness. I know that trusting You with every detail of my life is the best thing I can do. Give me a vision for where You are taking me. And help me to be completely faithful in the everyday moments. I will look for You here and I know I will find You. I embrace the process. I know now that when You make me wait its because You’re making me ready. Thank you for Your loving protective care for me. I love you too. Amen.” 

Be encouraged,

Imanne