Purpose is something that we continually seek. Unfortunately, we often look at the season that we’re in and think “How could God use me? My life is a mess, I’m (insert excuse).” In Esther 4 a bold statement is made by her cousin Mordecai, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, New International Version). Fear overtook Esther when Mordecai told her to approach the king. In those days it was a death sentence to approach the king if you were not summoned. But Mordecai was quick to inform Esther that if she allowed fear to keep her from her purpose then God would use another spokesperson to deliver Israel. Many of us are like Esther in this situation. We often look at a time or season and us it as an excuse to mask the fears and justify our reasoning for not doing what God asks.

Single or Dating for Such a Time as This

The single and dating season has crippled many people from walking in purpose. The fears that surround us during these seasons have to do with loneliness, rejection, and fear of the future. Our culture has associated the single season as a time of limbo; sitting back and waiting for your life to begin. The dating season can also be seen as a time of limbo. It can be a time of confusion and waiting, wondering if this person is worth giving up certain opportunities. But these seasons do not have to stop you from living out God’s purpose. You do not have to be married to serve in the church, go on a mission’s trip, or lean over in your favorite coffee shop and tell someone about Jesus. Do not allow the fears of this season and the formalities of this world to stop you from living out your purpose. Being single means that you don’t have another obligation, this is your time to be devoted to God in a way that is so unique from other seasons. Dating, you have a little bit of an obligation, but you need to be careful not to allow that relationship to get in the way of God’s call on your life. If that relationship is truly purposed by God then it will enhance the call on your life, not diminish it. Walk in purpose daily, and don’t wait until you’re married to live out God’s call.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, English Standard Version).

Going to School or Working for Such a Time as This

Going to college has been one of the most challenging and most rewarding times of my life. I often find myself wondering if I’m living the life that God has called me to, or if school is a selfish ambition. Working has posed a similar question. Is my future career glorifying to God, or is it a selfish desire? “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4, ESV). Don’t let the fear of misplacement or not doing enough stop you from God’s plan for your life. Living in purpose daily doesn’t always look like missionary work, but God places us strategically where He needs us to be. There are unsaved people at your work place, there are unsaved people at your school. Our Bible tells us that God will give us the desires of our heart, but what many of us miss is the “Delight in the Lord” part. As we delight ourselves in the Lord, our desires begin to look like His desires and the dreams and aspirations that we have will match what His dreams and aspirations are for our lives. Don’t let the fear of “living the wrong life” keep you from walking in your daily call. We can rest in the fact that God knows our steps before hand, and He guides us as we delight in Him.

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (Psalm 138:8, ESV).

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, ESV).

I love the saying “God doesn’t need you, He wants you.” Because we are adopted children we were chosen by God, and we have been chosen to serve in the season that we are in right now. Not when you start dating someone, not when you get married, not when you get out of school, not when you stop working so many hours, not when your kids grow up; right now. The root of our excuses often stem from fear. Fear stops us from walking in purpose. The objective of fear is to silence you, and keep you from living out the call that God has placed on your life. We experience fear in a variety of different ways, and they usually vary depending on the season that we are in. Remember, God has purposed us for a time and a season, and these different seasons and timings are not in vain.

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, New King James Version)

New International Version (NIV)

New King James Version (NKJV)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Finding Purpose in Every Season

Single or Dating for Such a Time as This

Going to School or Working for Such a Time as This