Everyone has a purpose in life how do I know what my purpose is?
You are right; everyone has a purpose in life. There is a direction for you to go in. The Lord has desires and plans for you. Realizing that is the easy part. The hard part is finding your path and realizing your purpose.
Let’s start by looking at Colossians 1:16, which says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” This shows that the Lord created you and He created you for Himself. His desire is that you should honor Him with your life. It seems that almost everything we do is in preparation of some future event. A baby will learn to crawl in preparation of learning how to walk. We spend from 12 to 20 years in school to prepare us for a career. The life that we live is really to prepare us for eternity. In view of eternity, the time we spend on the earth is so short. Psalms 90:10 tells us that “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” So, the average lifespan is about 70 years. Compare that with billions and billions of years in eternity. Or, better yet, to an eternity where there is no time. With that in mind, I think we can see that our purpose is to honor the Lord in preparation for eternity.
Solomon, towards the end of his life had this to say in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” In his later years, Solomon could see the value of living for the Lord, and these are the last words he wrote to us, as inspired of the Lord. To fear God is to reverence or honor Him; to acknowledge who He is…He is indeed the God of Heaven and earth as we read in Acts 17:24 – “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” Then we are told to keep his commandments. This means that we should obey his Word.
Let’s look at Joshua 1:8-9 – “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” This is the key to success: to read God’s Word, meditate upon it, and then obey. This is the way to be successful in life. Not only is success promised, but good success is promised. We need to be in God’s Word each day to learn how the Lord wants us to live. We read in Psalms 119:105 that, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The Word of God will lead us step by step through this world. As we learn, think about, and obey God’s Word He will lead us along the path of life that he has for us. When we learn to put the Lord first in all things, he will reveal his will to us. He wants to lead us and he wants to use us.
These are general thoughts about your purpose in life. As for any specifics as to what the Lord wants you to do for a living, or where he wants you to live, the Lord will reveal that to you as you commit your life to live for His glory. Matthew 6:33 tells us, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” So, put the Lord first in all things. Put His righteousness first in all things. Whatever it is the Lord would have you do, we are told in 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Do all to the glory of God.” You can honor the Lord wherever you are and whatever you do for a living. Just do all that you do for his glory.