Years ago, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) coined the phrase, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Likewise, a life is a terrible thing to waste. We waste our lives when we selfishly do what we want to do and not what God created us to do. God has a purpose for each of His children and we are wasting our lives when we don’t fulfill His purpose for us.

We fulfill God’s purpose in two ways. First, we fulfill God’s purpose by obeying the commands He gives to all Christians in His Word, the Bible. This underscores the importance of regular and consistent Bible study. If we don’t read the Bible, we won’t know what God expects us to do.

The second way we fulfill God’s purpose is by doing the things He has specifically called and gifted each of us to do. This second way will be the focus of this post. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” In addition to the commands that are applicable to all Christians, there are some things God specifically designed each individual believer to do. Following are three things we must do to fulfill God’s specific purpose for our lives.

Have a Desire to Fulfill God’s Purpose

The first thing we must do to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives is have a desire to serve God and do His will. As in most cases, before we can do anything effectively, we must have a desire to do it. For example, before a person can successfully begin an exercise regimen, he/she must have a desire to exercise. In the same way, before we can fulfill God’s purpose, we must have a desire to serve Him.

Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” The dictionary defines “zeal” as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.” “Fervor” is defined as “intense and passionate feeling.” We should have great energy, enthusiasm, intensity, and a passion to serve God the best we can. Note that this verse uses the phrases “never be lacking” and “keep.” These phrases tell us that we should desire to serve God at all times. Our desire to do God’s will should not come and go; we should never lose our desire to fulfill God’s purpose. Do you have a persistent desire to serve God and do His will?

Ask God How He Has Gifted Us

The second thing we must do to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives is ask God how He has gifted us to serve Him. As believers in Jesus Christ, God has called and gifted us for some specific work in His kingdom. First Corinthians 12:4-7 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

God has given every believer at least one spiritual gift. He expects us to use our gifts to strengthen other believers and to serve Him. We should pray to God and ask Him how He has gifted us and what He is calling us to do. There are many online spiritual gifts questionnaires which are designed to help believers discover what their gifts are. Here is a link to one of these questionnaires: Spiritual Gifts Questionnaire. (You can do an online search to find others.) Many of these tools take less than 30 minutes to complete and they will give you some sense of what your gifts might be. Do you know how God has gifted you and what He is calling you to do so you can fulfill His purpose for your life?

Fulfill God’s Purpose by Using Our Gifts

The third thing we must do to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives is get busy serving and doing the things God has called and gifted us to do. Once we know what God is calling us to do, we must get busy doing it. First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” God has blessed us with gifts that He expects us to use to fulfill His purpose for our lives. It would be extremely ungrateful for us to not use the gifts God gave us.

We have been saved to serve, not to sit. When should we serve God? Right now! John 9:4 says, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” We only have a set amount of time to do what God desires us to do, so let’s not wait. We should ask God to show us where and how He wants us to serve Him, then keep our eyes and ears open for service opportunities. Are you actively using the gifts God gave you to fulfill His purpose for your life?

Conclusion

God has blessed us more than we deserve. The greatest blessing He has given us is eternal life through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Out of love for God and gratitude to Him for making salvation available to us, we should willingly surrender our lives in service to Him and do all we can to fulfill His purpose for our lives. First Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Are you fulfilling God’s purpose for your life? If not, what are you waiting for? Get busy!