Is it wrong for me to be searching for my purpose in life?

[Single Dude]

I am considered middle age over the hill so to speak. I have had many jobs in the past but they were not the right fit for me. I have this tendency to want to know what's going on in my life in which I know that is wrong according to the sovereignty of God. I still don't know my purpose here on Earth. Is it wrong for me to not know?

 

[lismore]

I am considered middle age over the hill so to speak. I have had many jobs in the past but they were not the right fit for me. I have this tendency to want to know what's going on in my life in which I know that is wrong according to the sovereignty of God. I still don't know my purpose here on Earth. Is it wrong for me to not know?

Hello dude. Here's one purpose we have in life, to be the Lord's ambassadors:

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Bringing love, hope and life to a dying world. God Bless

 

[xaris]

I am considered middle age over the hill so to speak. I have had many jobs in the past but they were not the right fit for me. I have this tendency to want to know what's going on in my life in which I know that is wrong according to the sovereignty of God. I still don't know my purpose here on Earth. Is it wrong for me to not know?

What would you do with the knowledge of His purpose for your life?
In the meantime, He has revealed much in His Word for us to believe and do.

 

[Pop D.]

A wise pastor once said, "Unless you're very lucky, your career and God's purpose for putting you on this Earth will probably not be the same thing."

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I am considered middle age over the hill so to speak. I have had many jobs in the past but they were not the right fit for me. I have this tendency to want to know what's going on in my life in which I know that is wrong according to the sovereignty of God. I still don't know my purpose here on Earth. Is it wrong for me to not know?

Most people don't know, so it's fine.

If you happen to stumble upon it, it's probably that thing you're really good at, but don't like doing.

In the scripture it is written that no eye has seen or heard what God has prepared for those who love Him. Thus there is something prepared for each of us, that is unique - just for us.

God bless.

 

[David Hunter]

Howdy! Have you ever read Rick Warren's book, Purpose Driven Life? If not, I highly recommend it.

 

[Mark Quayle]

I am considered middle age over the hill so to speak. I have had many jobs in the past but they were not the right fit for me. I have this tendency to want to know what's going on in my life in which I know that is wrong according to the sovereignty of God. I still don't know my purpose here on Earth. Is it wrong for me to not know?

There has been for a long time a lot of humanist teaching in modern America, to the point it has become simply the worldview of those growing up here. Don't fall for it. Read Scripture. We are here for God's use. Enjoy that.

You may do as you please in this country probably more than any other country right now -- (not so sure about the future). So, yes if you can, find something you enjoy, but don't let THAT be your purpose in life. Your purpose is to be used of God according to his plan, and in that you will always be right there. For your good or bad, that is where you are at any time. So choose wisely what you do and how you behave, and what you pursue.

And if you want satisfaction, know that you are nothing apart from Christ. THERE is my best satisfaction. We are made for HIM. Not for ourselves.

This life is not for this life.

 

[ozso]

Being a single dude in his late 50's, I find it's easy to feel like I haven't accomplished much and am going nowhere while time is running out. I have to trust that God has used me in ways that I'm not aware of and that will continue. I'm reminded of It's a Wonderful Life, where George Bailey thought his life had been useless until he found out otherwise.

 

[xaris]

Being a single dude in his late 50's, I find it's easy to feel like I haven't accomplished much and am going nowhere while time is running out. I have to trust that God has used me in ways that I'm not aware of and that will continue. I'm reminded of It's a Wonderful Life, where George Bailey thought his life had been useless until found out otherwise.

Reminds me of a poem I wrote once upon a time...

Stuck in Neutral

Stuck in neutral going nowhere fast,

Always running ahead but only seeing the past.

Stuck in neutral immobile as a gimp,

Heading for the finish line... last with a limp.

Stuck in neutral with nothing really to show,

Except a blown [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] and a muffler with a hole. (the above was censored by this Forum, see explanation below).

Stuck in neutral this poem is getting to be,

Just like the hand behind it looking to be free.

(Sorry, don't know how all those 'bless do not curse' got in...they aren't in the pasted version, nor were they included in my original.
When I came to edit them out, they aren't seen. Also, after the word the word '[bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]' should show up but doesn't. Weird). OK I see, it is the Forum filters taking the word 'bl---' as a cuss word and slipping in their 'correction'.

 

[Sketcher]

I am considered middle age over the hill so to speak. I have had many jobs in the past but they were not the right fit for me. I have this tendency to want to know what's going on in my life in which I know that is wrong according to the sovereignty of God. I still don't know my purpose here on Earth. Is it wrong for me to not know?

That's not wrong, that's natural. Always trust and obey God, but there's nothing wrong with exploring to find ways to honor him with your life. I consider that putting a talent to work and gaining another.

 

[Joined2krist]

As a Catholic, we are taught the following:
1) We are here to know God
2) We are here to serve Him
3) We are here to love Him

In this world

 

[Jeshu]

I still don't know my purpose here on Earth. Is it wrong for me to not know?

Not wrong but handy.

i tell you the truth your purpose down here is to learn to love God, and neighbour, as well as self, and all Creation. You learn to do that and you be among the happiest persons on earth.

John 14:23 "Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."

 

[longwait]

I am considered middle age over the hill so to speak. I have had many jobs in the past but they were not the right fit for me. I have this tendency to want to know what's going on in my life in which I know that is wrong according to the sovereignty of God. I still don't know my purpose here on Earth. Is it wrong for me to not know?

I am searching for my life purpose too. Also I'm middle aged. There is error in my age that's showing here. I am 10 years older than that (I'm nearly half a century years old). But I think I almost know what my destiny/calling is from a dream I had last year. Its not that all my dreams take place but lets wait and see.

 

[Kenny'sID]

A wise pastor once said, "Unless you're very lucky, your career and God's purpose for putting you on this Earth will probably not be the same thing."

Or maybe God's purpose was that career, or our purpose was to tend to our salvation, and choose our own way to make a living.

Thats how I've always seen it anyway.

 

[Kenny'sID]

By "purpose" are you assuming you are to have some type of calling, and if so, why?

 

[Carl Emerson]

About 20 years ago I was shown in a dream that I was going through a 40 year preparation until I could be released into the work He had for me.

I think we underestimate preparation time.

Time is up and I see things opening.

 

[Sabertooth]

Is it wrong for me to not know?

Have you been Born Again?

If so, here are three verses that would apply to your question in the OP,

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you." Jesus, Matthew 6:33 NKJV

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
Jesus, Matthew 16:25 NKJV

Whatever, Steven Curtis Chapman (1999)

 

[Aussie Pete]

I am considered middle age over the hill so to speak. I have had many jobs in the past but they were not the right fit for me. I have this tendency to want to know what's going on in my life in which I know that is wrong according to the sovereignty of God. I still don't know my purpose here on Earth. Is it wrong for me to not know?

Not wrong, but not helpful either. All Christians are called to serve the Kingdom of God. If you make that your priority, God will see you through. Sometimes we just have to trust.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

52 here and Ive been questioning what my purpose is for years now. 15 years ago I was getting ready to go to seminary and become a priest. One year later, I had been asked to leave due to family issues and homeless. I hit my middle age years early and hard. It took 3 years for us to get off of welfare and two years ago we bought a house.

One thing now with my nest slowly being emptied is that I now have time to reevaluate. I've begun working out with resistance bands. I serve as a chanter at church. I'm the secretary for our church's men's group. I downloaded the Harvard Classics on Kindle and reading through it. I'm on page 140 of 37400, LOL. I spend time reading the scriptures or learning Greek, or with some other Christian texts.

There is a certain peace now even in the craziness that Ive never felt before. I have no idea if my job will be around by November, so I'm in discussions with my supervisor about other positions in the company.

I think the main thing that has happened is that I've got my general life semi-sorted out. I've never read Warren's book but I love Stephen Covey's "7 Habits" series. Ben Franklin's autobiography is also very educational about how to be at peace with the world. Happy to chat about this

 

[1watchman]

Often young people come out of school and just coast along without preparing for the road ahead, so do not get some skill training in a field they like ---many technical skills pay more than college degrees. In time age is a factor and employers are looking for trained people of some real value to them. That is why some people, at least, find they have failed to get started sooner. I think school often should emphasize to kids about careers, and not just talk about college only. Academics is not everything!

As to our 'purpose' in life, as was mentioned, it is primarily to KNOW the Savior: Jesus, the Christ of God as our Savior and 'best Friend' --ever present (as John 3; John 14; etc.). If we are walking and talking with the Lord Jesus we will thus know the "Father" and find a sure resource for every need.

When things go bad we can lay it all before our God thus and trust Him and be patient. All will thus work out well, I have found over the many years of my sojourn.