Many, if not all of us, have a sense that we were made for more. That we were created to do something great that will change the world, or at least make a difference in the lives of a few people. We don’t want our lives be meaningless.
This is why we frequently hear messages about pursuing our dreams and following our hearts. Those are the messages that we want to hear. American culture, even within the church, promotes the idea that a fulfilled life comes from doing what we are passionate about—chasing our "God-given dreams" and living a life of success, influence, and happiness.
But what if purpose isn’t about chasing a dream? What if it’s about something deeper—something unshakable?
To answer this, we must first ask: What is purpose?
At its core, purpose is about our why—our primary motivation for living. It helps us make sense of life and determine how to best use our time, talents, and opportunities. But does the world's definition align with God’s?
Worldly Definitions of Purpose
A Performance-Based View of Purpose
In today’s culture, the idea of finding your purpose is often tied to personal fulfillment. People are encouraged to search for their true calling, chase their dreams, and to do what they are passionate about. There is no doubt that meaningful work is a blessing, this mindset can also be misleading because it equates purpose with success, status, or self-fulfillment—luxuries that not everyone can afford.
From a young age, we are conditioned to believe that purpose is something we must discover and achieve. We hear motivational phrases like:
- “Follow your passion, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
- “When you cease to dream you cease to live.”
- “Dreams are the fuel that ignites the fire of possibility.”
These thoughts may be inspiring, but they can also create unrealistic expectations. Not everyone has a single, lifelong passion or a clear career path that feels like their "one true calling." Many people struggle with uncertainty, transition, or simply working to provide for their families. Does that mean they lack purpose?
The Anxiety of Chasing Purpose
When purpose is defined by following your dreams or living with a passion, it leads to unnecessary stress when that is not your experience. Rather than discovering their purpose, many people will experience:
- Doubt – “Do I have a dream worth following?”
- Disappointment – “Every time I think life is going to turn around for me the other shoe drops.”
- Comparison – “Others seem to be living their dream—why am I struggling?”
Rather than bringing joy, the pursuit of purpose often brings with it anxiety and depression, making people feel like they are being left behind or missing out on something bigger.
The Pressure to Define Ourselves by What We Do
We all know that our American culture equates identity with career and achievements. When someone asks, “What do you do?” they are often really asking, “Who are you?” This places enormous pressure on people to define themselves by their accomplishments rather than their character or faithfulness.
I know I struggled with this when I was baking bagels in Iowa City, unable to find a paid pastoral position. I constantly battled feelings of failure and inadequacy. I had based my identity and purpose so much on being a pastor that when I wasn’t in that role, I felt like I was wasting my life.
Looking back, I now see how God used that time in my life to refine my character and reshape my understanding of purpose.
What Happens When Circumstances Change?
If our purpose is tied to what we do or what we can achieve, then what happens when life takes an unexpected turn?
- What if you lose your job?
- What if your dreams shift or don’t work out?
- What if your season of life demands something different from what you planned?
When purpose is defined by success, failure or change can make us feel like we’ve lost our identity.
Shifting the Focus
The world’s definition of purpose is rooted in following your dreams and trying to accomplish something great, but this approach often leads to frustration, disappointment, and anxiety. Instead of purpose being about our fulfillment and success, Scripture teaches that our purpose is found in something different—faithfulness to God.
The Biblical Definition of Purpose
The world often tells us that purpose about what we do—chasing our dreams, the difference we make, or the impact we have on other people. However, Scripture paints a different picture. Instead of tying purpose to achievement, the Bible consistently defines it in terms of faithfulness to God. Our purpose is not found in what we accomplish but in how we live in obedience to Him.
Purpose Is Rooted in Faithfulness, Not Success
Rather than centering purpose on self-fulfillment, Scripture calls us to live in a way that reflects God’s heart and character in all the various circumstances of life. Consider these key verses:
Micah 6:8
"Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God."
- God makes it clear that our purpose isn’t about chasing grand achievements but about living with justice, mercy, and humility.
- Success means little if we neglect those around us who are struggling. Purpose is about using what we have to make a difference.
- True purpose requires walking humbly with God—aligning with His values and will rather than our own ambitions.
Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
- Our ultimate purpose is not about us but about Jesus living through us.
- We are called to live with love, hope, and truth, showing the world that there is a better way.
- True purpose is found in surrender—allowing Jesus to shape our desires, decisions, and daily lives.
Colossians 3:17
"And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
- This verse doesn’t limit purpose to a specific job or calling. Instead, whatever we do should be done in a way that honors Jesus.
- Our loyalty to Christ is seen in how we live and represent Him in our daily lives.
- This is the purpose for every Christian—we represent King Jesus in everything we say and do.
A Shift in Perspective: From Doing to Being
These verses challenge the common idea that purpose is about what we do. Instead, they emphasize how we live. Purpose is less about a grand mission to change the world and more about a daily posture of obedience, love, and faithfulness.
- Instead of asking, “What should I do with my life?” we should ask, “How can I honor God in whatever I do?”
- Instead of trying to follow our hearts, we should focus on being faithful wherever God has placed us.
Living with Purpose in Every Season
This biblical view of purpose brings incredible freedom. If purpose is tied to a specific job, talent, or opportunity, then our sense of meaning is fragile—it can be lost when circumstances change. But if our purpose is found in living faithfully before God, then we can live with purpose whether we are:
- Working in a career we love or in a job that simply provides for our needs.
- In a time of growth or a time of waiting.
- Serving in a big, visible way or in quiet, unseen way.
No moment is wasted when our purpose is to walk humbly with God and to be faithful to Him in every circumstance of our lives.
Conclusion: Purpose Is About Faithfulness
The biblical definition of purpose removes the pressure to “figure it all out” and instead calls us to trust God, love others, and live for His glory. No matter where we are or what we do, our purpose remains the same:
To act justly, love faithfulness, and walk humbly with our God.
