Faith with Friends: On Purpose

Written by Faith Avery

Today, I had a long conversation with a good friend of mine. We talked about how we both felt like we were struggling with a sense of purpose. It’s hard being a college student sometimes. You spend 4+ years in a major working towards a career. Everything can look good on paper, yet in your heart and mind, you have no idea where you’re going or what you’re truly passionate about.

My friend expressed her fears to me. She feared she’d spend so much money on school just to do nothing with her degree or wind up on a different path than the one she’s currently on. I shared with her something that I’d heard at a conference the weekend prior: “If you are walking with God, there’s no need to search for your purpose”.

When I first heard this, I was a bit put off, as if the speaker, only a year or so older than me, had no idea what it’s like. As if he had no idea what it felt like to be surrounded by people YOUR AGE that seemed to be walking in their purpose. I’m surrounded by people who have their own businesses, who have shot for magazines such as Vogue, who have interviewed with Time Magazine, who have internships and full-time offers at companies like Google or Goldman-Sachs.

But as I took a moment to reflect on what he said, I realized that when you walk alongside God, you’re never lost. I’m thankful we serve a God that is all-knowing, all-seeing, all-hearing. Who does nothing without intention and does not make mistakes. When you’re walking alongside a God this great, there’s no way you exist without purpose.

When you’re walking alongside a God this great, there’s no way you exist without purpose.

As I continued reflecting, I began to think about what purpose has meant to me, especially in the past 2.5 years as a UT student. I felt like I was walking in purpose when I was a summer orientation advisor, when I was a tour guide, when I worked for a student government campaign, when I landed my first internship offer, and when I joined my entrepreneurship program. I vividly remember giving a tour one day and a guest asked me how I felt as a student in all of my various roles. I excitedly expressed to her that I felt like I was on the “cusp of greatness”.

And though I didn’t realize it at the time, the “greatness” I felt was only due to my external circumstances. I felt great because of the work of my own hands. I didn’t join any of my roles for the glory of God, but for the accumulation of accolades and humble-bragging rights.

Through this faith conversation with my friend, God revealed to me that purpose is not measured by external circumstances. Rather, God reminded me that He is doing a great work within me.

Rather, God reminded me that He is doing a great work within me.

A work not done by human hands or might, but a work that is for the glory of God and the building of His kingdom. God, ever so kindly, showed me that I once was only great for the world. I was steadily storing up earthly treasures with no value. Everything that made me “great” was not built on a firm foundation; it was not something that was built to last (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

The funny thing about this internal work though, is that it cannot fully be measured as you go along. I can’t measure it by how long my resume is getting or by accolades from men. The work within me requires me to trust God fully, knowing that though I cannot see the work, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t happening.

The work within me requires me to trust God fully, knowing that though I cannot see the work, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t happening.

I am reminded to put my faith in what is unseen and to trust the God who never fails (2 Corinthians 4:18). I remember that the work within me is a work orchestrated by God and done within the power of the Holy Spirit, therefore, it will be more beautiful and impactful than a work I could ever produce alone.

I implore and encourage you to lean into God. Read His word avidly, pray faithfully, and trust Him wholeheartedly so that the work within might begin. Even when you feel lost, know that God goes before you (Isaiah 52:12). Stop your search for purpose and seek first the kingdom of God.

Stop your search for purpose and seek first the kingdom of God.

Only then will all these things be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).