By Bailey Richardson
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of a “calling?” Maybe you really want to know God’s specific purpose for you, yet you’re so caught up in the daily tasks and to-dos that it feels impossible—even burdensome—to try to consider a calling on top of the already-long list of laundry, groceries, job, parenting, family, church and friendships.
Well, friend, there is good news. You have a calling from God, and you can begin to walk in that calling today.
Questions to Help Find Your Purpose
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, he answered in Matthew 22:36-40, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
If you’ve been searching for a purpose for your days and wondering how God wants to use you, consider asking yourself these two questions based on the Great Commandment.
- How can I love God today?
No matter what season of life you’re in—whether you’re a mom of littles, an empty nester, a working mom, or a young newlywed—God is present with you and longing to spend time with you. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”
When you decide to reframe your mindset, schedule and commitments from, “What do I have to do today?” to “How can I love God throughout my day?” your day will be filled with purpose and blessing.
Consider incorporating simple acts of love toward God into your day. Add worship to your morning routine. Thank him for the beautiful sunset as you’re driving home from work. Tell him out loud, through prayer and praise, that you trust him and love him.
It may seem small, but putting your focus back on your love for God throughout your day will bring purpose and settledness to your soul.
2. How can I love my neighbor today?
According to Jesus, our neighbor is anyone we come in contact with. Our neighbors are the ones who are next to us in our home, who literally live next door, but they’re also our coworkers, the mom with the whiny kids at the grocery store, and the rude barista.
It’s easy for us to go about our day without paying much attention to what others might be going through. Consider asking God in the morning, “Who can I show your love to today?” Perhaps your heart will be softened and prompted to listen to your coworker in a more genuine way, or to give the stressed out mom an earnest word of encouragement, or to tip the rude barista and hope it brightens her day.
Perhaps these two questions seem too simple. When we think about our purpose and calling, we tend to think big, and we tend to look toward the future. But the truth is, it’s the small choices we make every day that are making up our life.
Join us in the A Wife Like Me Collective where we are study Scripture together and diving deep into the unique ways God has designed us to live out His purpose! JOIN HERE
Wife Step: Ask yourself those two questions and follow through on at least one action of love toward God and your neighbor today.
Bailey Richardson is the wife of a Paul Bunyan look-a-like, the mama of a growing little family, and a woman on the wild adventure of pursuing Jesus. She lives in a small lake town in Minnesota where her family is highly involved in their local church and Young Life, a global non-profit youth ministry. A self-proclaimed “recovering perfectionist,” Bailey loves writing for and connecting with women who want to more deeply experience the grace, freedom, and abundance that comes from following Jesus. You can find her at baileymrichardson.com or on Instagram @baileymrichardson.
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