Carol J German

Every person wonders why they were put on this earth. Why am I here? What am I called to do? As you grow up, you find your way in a career which brings purpose and provision. You may get married and have children which determines your purpose. The world offers a plethora of options to choose from, but what is the irrefutable reason behind your existence?

In God’s Word, you read many examples of people who discovered the reason behind their existence. One example is Moses in the Old Testament. Moses’ story began when he was a little baby. As an adult, God led him into the wilderness where He taught Moses and prepared him for a big task. A task that Moses needed God to pull off. He led two million people to the land God promised them. It wasn’t an easy journey, but God stayed with Moses and told him what to do. He led Moses.

In the New Testament there was Paul. A man who hated Jesus and anyone who followed Him. He set out to imprison anyone who associated themselves with Jesus. “Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.” (Acts 9:1) Then Jesus intercepted him. Thankfully, Paul responded to Jesus and his reason for his existence began to take shape.

We have many books in the New Testament authored by Paul. He became a warrior for the Truth. Talk about a 180 degree turn! But, before God could use Paul, He had to teach him and prepare him for the job that God had for him. In Galatians 1:15-18, you read about Paul before God used him for eternal work. Look at what he says, “But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace. Then it pleased Him to reveal His Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus. Then, three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days.”

God had to teach Paul the reason behind his existence. Moses had to spend time in the wilderness before being called up to do ministry work. Now, Paul was taken away from what he knew, like Moses, to be taught personally by God Himself. And this my friend, is how He leads you and me.

“Paul was happy and well served to spend many years in obscurity before God raised him up.” (enduringword.com)

God has things for you to do, and for me to do. Before He can use us though, He has to lead us into a personal relationship through His Son first. You have to get to know God personally. You have to learn how to sit in His presence. He will take it from there. He will build up your thirst for truth. You soon come to learn how valuable God’s Word is in abiding in Christ. You learn to recognize and obey the Spirit’s voice.

Another Old Testament warrior is Joshua. Moses’ ministry had come to an end and God called Joshua to take over for Moses. God prepared Joshua. You read about this in Joshua 1:1-9. He made sure that Joshua understood that any victories will be because God is with him! God tells him 3 times to be strong and courageous. He will be facing hard things yet God is building up His warrior to accomplish great things for God; not himself.

Verse 8 is the key to keeping fit for the task that God is laying before you. Study God’s Word continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will obey everything. Only then will you prosper and succeed. All three men, along with everyone else that you read in the Bible, had to be changed by God Himself first.

For me, God led Rob and I to a foreign land (like Moses and Paul) to start our life together after we got married. In Oklahoma, God showed up. While I said yes to Jesus at age 13, this foreign land season was my Moses encounter or Paul encounter with God. God taught me and reshaped me. He led me into the most wonderful relationship ever! Jesus is truly my best friend. Marriage and motherhood were the situations God used to teach me about His unconditional love. Fast forward 30 years, God has me placed in not a foreign land, but a wilderness where it has been just God and I. It has been 10 years now, and the insight and maturity I have gained is incredible.

I cannot deny God’s presence.

And this right here is the reason for your existence as well as mine. God wants to lead you to Himself. Let me ask you a few questions: Do you see creation more than the Creator? Do you enjoy His creation yet ignore Him? How dependent are you to His Word?

Moses had to learn. Paul had to learn. Joshua had to learn. I have had to learn and I am still learning. I have said this before, God has to get YOU out of YOU before He can use you. It’s an arduous journey, to say the least, to learn to surrender your own flesh but it’s crucial to your faith walk. Jesus left heaven and became a man so He can fully understand what you and I go through. Jesus saved us from sin by dying and resurrecting on a cross. He defeated death so you and I can have eternal hope. Living any other way than what God calls for in His Word is demeaning to Him. This is why God demands repentance and obedience.

This is every person’s true calling.

Let God lead you.

Respond to Jesus.

Let God teach you and prepare you. Abide wherever He has you.

Let God lead you to a foreign place.

There, you will find the greatest treasure your heart could ever imagine!