Rev. Dr. Mike Wooton

Have you ever asked, “Is there a purpose for my life?” 

Can I give you good news today? Yes, there is a purpose for your life. There is a specific plan for your life. The plan is for you to experience the best possible life. You’ve been created to be a part of something marvelous! 

When we hear about a purpose for our lives, we often imagine ourselves as different—a person without our current emotional baggage, pains, and mistakes we carry. We picture a person who lives into their purpose as herculean, perfect, or ideal. Let’s face it: no one looks like that picture we paint. We’ve all been through bad seasons and years. We have done bad things. Bad things have been done to us. How, then, do the approximate 100% of the people on earth find and live according to their purpose? 

Well, there is something I want to share with you. It once was more popular in our society. Here it is: opening your heart to Jesus is the first step to finding your purpose. If you have done that, I have the best news. Opening your heart to Jesus is where your pain and purpose meet.

Let me explain. Once Jesus comforts and heals your pain, you, in turn, will want others to experience the same. If God frees you of addiction, you will want others to see others free of addiction. If God restores your marriage, you will want to see marriages repaired. If you are incredibly lonely, you will want others to know they are not alone. Your pain and your purpose meet. 

Where do you go from here? First, open up your heart to Christ. Bring your baggage, pain, and hurts to him. You will experience healing. Next, it is time to go out and help others like Jesus has helped you. Once you do that, you will live like the person God created you to be. Your pain and your purpose will meet.