Identifying your interests, passions, and gifts can help you discover God’s will for your life.
For anyone who walks with God, the challenge of determining God’s will for your life is bound to come up at one time or another. Whether you’re feeling settled or looking to make a big change, you may wonder if there is something bigger and more important going on in the world around you.
A quote wrongfully attributed to Mark Twain remains profound, no matter who the unknown author is: “The two most important days of your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why.”
Discovering God’s will for your life helps you reach that second most important day: the day you find out why you were born.
Does the Bible Say Anything About God’s Will for Your Life?
It’s seen in Scripture that first and foremost, God’s will for you is to find salvation in Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV) says, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) the Apostle Paul writes, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Regardless of your vocation, life situation, or future aspirations, you can live out God’s will on any day by:
- Finding a reason to rejoice in all things
- Praying consistently as you face the ups and downs of life
- Giving thanks in all circumstances
Beyond that, discovering God’s will for your life can feel like a monumental task. For many, it’s driven by fear as they question every decision while wondering if God’s will is something different? Is His plan being messed up?
God has uniquely created you with interests, passions, and gifts. If you’re trying to discover how you can make the most of your life in a way that honors Him, there are a few questions that can serve as a guide. You don’t have to be fearful or cautious when answering the question, “What is God’s will for my life?” Instead, joyfully consider how God has uniquely created you. By combining your interests, passions, and gifts, you can discover God’s will for your life.
What Are Your Interests?
Think back over your life and take a mental inventory of the different jobs you’ve had, taking note of your favorites. Think beyond the jobs you were paid for and consider the times you volunteered or picked up different projects when a friend, neighbor, or colleague needed help. Think about these questions as you take this mental inventory:
- When did you have the most fun at work?
- When did the hours fly by?
Lastly, consider this: beyond work, what are the activities you most enjoy doing?
What Are Your Passions?
- What brings you deep joy?
Think of the days when you came home and couldn’t stop smiling, or you couldn’t wait to talk about the fun you were having. What were you doing when the hours flew by, and your time was up before you knew it?
- What makes you angry?
This isn’t about daily irritations. This is righteous anger, the kind that stems from seeing injustice—when people are exploited instead of cared for, or kids are bullied with no one to step in on their behalf. What makes you want to pound the table with a desire to see something wrong be made right?
- What breaks your heart?
When was the last time you felt such a deep sadness that you couldn’t help but cry? What situations cause your heart to break and compel you with a desire to do something to make a change?
These three situations—the ones that bring you great joy, the ones that make you angry, and the ones that break your heart — highlight your God-given passions. They’re unique to you, and part of God’s design is to use your passions to bless the world. They play an integral part in God’s will for your life.
What Are Your Gifts?
Throughout life, whether with friends or in a work environment, what are the qualities and skills people have most affirmed about you? Maybe it’s the way you work with kids, or your leadership abilities. It could be your public speaking skills, or how you can explain complex ideas in a way that makes it easy to understand.
Your gifts can often be identified by the things you are most drawn to doing when offered the choice, as well as the areas that are most affirmed and encouraged by those around you. Take time to reflect on these gifts, as they tie deeply to God’s will for your life.
How Your Interests, Passions, and Gifts Connect with God’s Will for Your Life
American writer and theologian Frederick Buechner wrote in Wishful Thinking, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
You are God’s unique creation. You are unlike anyone else in the world! Your interests, passions, and gifts highlight how God has called you to make a difference. What is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet?
Remember that no matter who you are, where you live, or what your vocation might be, you can live out God’s will for your life as highlighted in 1 Thessalonians 5 today by rejoicing always, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances.
