Look Up: Our Connection to Christ

The journey starts by orienting our lives toward our Creator. It's about understanding the grand story we're a part of and building a real, dynamic relationship with Jesus.

The Foundation: Reflecting Goodness

Before we ask, "What is my purpose?" we can ask, "What is the purpose of everything?" The biblical story suggests that all of creation is meant to reflect the goodness and character of Christ. Our lives find their deepest meaning when they point toward Him.

A Purposeful Practice:

In the small moments of today—eating, drinking, working, speaking—we can consciously see them as sacred. Let's reframe them not as tasks to complete, but as opportunities to reflect goodness into the world.

Genesis 1:26–31
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Isaiah 43:7
Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.
Revelation 4:11
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Ephesians 1:11–12
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.
Psalm 86:12
With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever.
Proverbs 16:4
The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.

The Relationship: Knowing Jesus

Purpose is not a cold, abstract duty; it is a warm, dynamic relationship. The invitation is not just to "work for Jesus," but to "love Jesus." This love is comprehensive, involving our heart, soul, and mind. It's the gentle engine that drives a purposeful life.

A Purposeful Practice:

Let's move beyond just knowing *about* Jesus to knowing Him personally. We can set aside time to pray, to read the scriptures, and to simply be still. This, we're told, is the heart of a truly full life.

Matthew 22:37–39
Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Ecclesiastes 12:13
That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.
John 17:3
And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
Deuteronomy 6:5
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
Proverbs 3:5–6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
James 4:8
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
Matthew 6:33
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Look In: Our Identity and Design

Once we look up, we can look inward to understand who Christ has made us to be. This is about embracing our unique design and learning to draw strength from Him.

Our Design in Christ

We are not accidents; we are Christ's poiēma—His masterpiece, His poem. We have been intentionally and lovingly designed for a unique purpose. The good we are meant to bring into the world is not something we must frantically invent, but a path we can joyfully discover.

A Purposeful Practice:

We can reflect on our unique gifts, passions, and experiences. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, let's ask Christ how He has uniquely wired us to contribute to the healing and beauty of the world. We can trust that even our trials are being woven into His good and loving plan.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Psalm 139:13–16
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Proverbs 19:21
You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.
2 Timothy 1:9
For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

Draw Strength from a Deeper Source

A life of purpose is a beautiful but difficult path to walk in our own strength. The capacity for this life comes from outside ourselves. It is ignited by a fundamental inner change and sustained by staying connected to the life and love of Jesus.

A Purposeful Practice:

We can practice letting go of our own agenda. Each morning, let's consciously give up our own way and ask for a strength and love beyond our own to flow through us. This isn't passivity; it's an active, trusting connection to the true source of life.

Galatians 2:20
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Romans 12:1–2
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Luke 9:23–24
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
Hebrews 12:1–2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
2 Corinthians 5:15
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Romans 14:8
If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:15–17
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Look Out: Our Life in the World

A healthy inner life with Christ always flows outward. Our purpose finds its feet as we live with intention for others, holding fast to the hope that fuels our every step.

A Life That Flows Outward

A connection with Christ always produces a deeper love for others. Our purpose becomes tangible when we act with compassion, seek fairness, and share the hope we've found. The freedom we find on this path is not freedom *from* responsibility, but freedom *for* others.

A Purposeful Practice:

Let's ask for one opportunity today to put someone else's interests before our own. We can use the gifts we've been given not for personal gain, but to build up and encourage someone in our family, our friendships, or our community.

Micah 6:8
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Galatians 5:13–14
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Philippians 2:3–4
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
James 1:27
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
1 Peter 4:10–11
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Galatians 6:9–10
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
1 Thessalonians 4:11–12
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
Colossians 3:23–24
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
Ephesians 4:1–3
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Live with Hope

Our present purpose is shaped by a larger story and a hope that extends beyond our lifetime. This hope is not escapism; it is the fuel that gives meaning to our present labor and our struggles. It assures us that no act of love is ever wasted.

A Purposeful Practice:

When we face a difficult task or a season of suffering, we can consciously reframe it within this larger story of hope. Let's remind ourselves that our present actions are part of a narrative that culminates in goodness and love. This perspective provides unshakable endurance.

Matthew 28:19–20
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
Acts 20:24
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.
Philippians 1:21
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
John 10:10
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
1 Corinthians 15:58
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.