Find Christ Before Trying to Find Yourself

Plants, birds, ants, and even fish—what do they all have in common? They all work in harmony with one another. Each day, they fulfill the tasks God created for them: providing for the community by harvesting, planting, communicating, hunting, and more.

These beautiful creations exist as God designed them to, without hesitation or doubt. The ant doesn’t stop to wonder if it should collect food today. The bird doesn’t question whether it should build a nest or sing. The fish doesn’t overthink swimming upstream. They simply live as they were meant to.

In the same way, God has given each of us a distinct purpose—a unique role to fulfill within the community and the world around us. The Lord is perfect by nature; His plan is flawless. He doesn’t make mistakes. Rest assured that just as He created me with a purpose in mind, He created you with one as well.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" Jeremiah 1:5

That truth alone is the first step in discovering your purpose: believing that God made you for a reason.

Discovering Your Purpose in God

The world tells you to "find yourself" through deep introspection, self-help books, manifestation, or meditation. But God's word says something completely different:

You find your true self by fixing your eyes on God and seeking Him first.

When you focus on Him, your perspective changes. Before, you couldn’t discern who to listen to or what information was viable. But having a Christ-centered view changes all of that. Your identity stops being formed by culture and is instead shaped by Christ.

Step 1: Cut Out the Noise, Find God’s Voice

Consider this: a symphony that is horribly out of sync will not find the correct tempo by bringing in another branch of saxophone players. Instead, the conductor listens to each section individually until he identifies which one is offbeat. Only then can the whole orchestra return to harmony.

If you're searching for clarity, instead of trying to add more sources of information, remove the ones that are misleading and uncertain. Clarity doesn’t come from adding; it comes from eliminating distractions and intently listening for the signal of God's voice.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

God has given us His word as the ultimate way to hear His voice. Scripture is not just a historical record; it's the living, breathing revelation of God.

Practical Ways to Cut the Noise

• Begin the day with your Bible before you check your phone.

• Schedule intentional quiet time each day to pray and listen.

• Identify the sources of distraction or anxiety and remove them.

• Replace worldly noise with worship, scripture, and godly counsel.

  
  

The more you seek, the more clearly you will hear Him.

Step 2: Kindle Your Gifts, Talents, & Passions

God rarely sends an audible voice or billboard telling you what to do. Instead, He places desires, skills, and burdens in your heart to guide you.

Maybe you have a desire for teaching, creating, serving, or leading. These are not random; they are clues to your calling.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Romans 12:6

If you don’t have a specific desire or calling, remember what you excel at or are passionate about. Is there something you've always been good at? Did you try a new experience and find yourself naturally good at it?

Ponder questions like these. If you come to an answer, start to pursue it today. If nothing comes to mind, don’t worry; you're not alone.

One of the best ways to uncover your talents is to listen to others in the community of Christ. Have you been told that you're good at something specific? Maybe it was from a friend, a mentor, or another trusted member of your Church.

God often develops gifts through faithfulness in small seasons before revealing bigger assignments.

Step 3: Uncover Your Motive

Even if you've found your talent, your motive determines whether it honors God. Ask yourself: If all recognition and reward were removed, would I still do this?

It’s our nature to act out of personal ambition and reason based on our life experiences. Though it may seem like a reasonable goal or lifestyle to you, that doesn’t automatically mean it's aligned with God's will.

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" Ephesians 2:10

Knowing that God created you to do good works in Christ Jesus can help you determine if your motive is selfish or humble. Is it for personal gain or for the glory of God?

When your motive is aligned with God's will, your work gains eternal value.

Step 4: Develop Unwavering Determination

Once you're certain of the calling God has laid out for you, what follows is unwavering determination to see it come to fruition. Life is short. The longer you wait to pursue your calling, the more doubt, fear, and questioning will tempt your mind.

Choose a path, adjust along the way, and rely on God's faithfulness. He will ensure that your labor is not in vain.

“Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

If you're not determined to work for Christ, then most likely you're acting purely out of motivation. Motivation is easy to have but even easier to lose. Relying on motivation is a great way to burn out in two weeks and land yourself right back where you started, questioning your purpose on this Earth.

Our flesh and heart will fail, but God carries us on His shoulders and is the strength of our heart. Let your motivation, determination, grit, drive, and willpower come from the reserves of Christ's strength, which is boundless and endures forever.

Determination is the engine; action is the gas pedal; God is the One steering.

Step 5: Constantly Seek God and Submit Your Work to Him

In the Lord, your labor is not in vain. This profound truth speaks to the fact that God sees our work and will not let it go unrecognized. Whether it's at your job, within your local church, or at a volunteer event, submitting your work to God is a way of praising Him and acknowledging His sovereignty.

When you give your work to God, He takes it far beyond what you could ever achieve on your own.

“Therefore… be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Over time, the effort that once felt like hard labor will turn into joy because you know whose purpose you are fulfilling.

This is why it's essential to be rooted deeply in the faith. Everything we do must be led by faith. Look to God and pray constantly over big or small matters, decisions, circumstances, or abrupt changes.

If you seek God in everything, eventually the only thing you seek is God.

Conclusion: Live Your Life with Purpose

Life is far too short to waste it on dreams that don't align with God's will. This is your only life; shoot for the stars. Ask God to give you a dream so big that it's doomed to fail unless He's in it. Pray boldly for direction, and when He speaks, obey without hesitation.

This is your only life; live it in such a way that eternity remembers.