This article is part of a yearlong series exploring one foundational biblical word each month. This month, we are focusing on LOVE. Subscribe to the Sunday Morning Newsletter and catch up on the entire series at amac.us/faith.
Throughout this series, we’ve been asking a foundational question: What does it really mean to love as God defines love? We’ve seen that love is not merely emotion, not sentiment, not convenience — but devotion. Love begins with God because God is love. And before love ever flows outward to others, it must be rightly ordered upward toward Him.
Which brings us to a question many people wrestle with: What is my purpose in life?
As a former youth pastor and now a father of teens and young adults, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard that question — or its close cousin: “What is God calling me to do?”
These are good, heartfelt questions. Young people sit across from me — or text me late at night — wrestling with their futures: college majors, career paths, ministry opportunities, relationships. They want to know their specific vocation, their unique calling, the thing that will make their life count.
And there’s nothing wrong with that. God gifts each of us with distinct talents, passions, and opportunities. He wires us uniquely for good works He prepared in advance (Ephesians 2:10). Work itself is part of our created purpose — humanity was given dominion over the earth from the beginning (Genesis 1:28). The vocation — or larger life mission — one chooses is an honorable pursuit. A sense of calling can bring clarity, direction, and joy.
But here’s the gentle caution I’ve learned to offer: we must not elevate a specific vocation or “mission” above our ultimate purpose.
That ultimate purpose for every believer is stunningly simple — so simple we often overlook it: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
As we learned in last week’s article, Jesus Himself declared this the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37–38). Rooted in the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:5, Jesus makes this the non-negotiable foundation of everything else.
This truth reframes the question of life purpose entirely. It shifts our focus from destination to devotion.
I’ll never forget a statement from one of my favorite college professors: “The process is just as important as the product.” He was speaking about academics — caring less about the grade (the product) and more about the discipline of learning (the process) — but this axiom echoes a deeper biblical reality.
If our daily process — how we think, what we pursue, what we value — is rightly ordered toward loving God, then the product — our life’s fruit, including vocational success — rests safely in His sovereign hands.
In our achievement-driven culture, we’re conditioned to chase the product — the visible result. We measure success by sales closed, degrees earned, followers gained, or pounds dropped. But Scripture consistently redirects our attention.
Jesus put it plainly: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). These “things” include daily needs, but also the broader shape of our lives — opportunities, relationships, even callings. When we prioritize the kingdom, God adds what we need. Pursue the world at the expense of your soul, however, and what do you gain? “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
This kingdom priority is no side note in Jesus’ teaching. From His first public words — “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15) — to His parables, miracles, and sermons, Jesus announced and embodied God’s reign breaking into the present. He invited people to live as citizens of a kingdom that will outlast every earthly system (Philippians 3:20).
As kingdom citizens, our primary identity isn’t tied to an earthly job title — even a ministry one. Those roles are good gifts — tools for stewardship and service — but they are not the mission.
The mission is communion with God — walking closely with Him, loving Jesus supremely, day by day. When that love is authentic, it spills over. It shapes how we parent, work, create, and relate. Our unique wiring becomes an instrument in His hands at the right time and place, not an end in itself.
Practically, this means beginning each day with intentional affection for God — through worship, Scripture, prayer, and surrender. It means viewing ordinary tasks as acts of worship (Colossians 3:23). It means trusting that obedience in small, unseen moments matters more than applause in large, visible ones.
When purpose feels foggy or calling unclear, default to this: love Jesus with everything you’ve got. He will guide the details.
So here’s a question to carry with you: When you lie your head down at night, if you can honestly answer the question, “Did I love Jesus today?” with a genuine “yes,” isn’t that a successful day? Regardless of how many sales you closed, miles you ran, or boxes you checked?
That single “yes” echoes into eternity.
I want to be clear, this doesn’t mean your career, ambitions, or daily responsibilities are insignificant. On the contrary, Scripture tells us that whatever we do should be done for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Your work matters. Your time matters.
But when we ask, “What is my purpose in life?” the answer must begin here: love God first. Everything else flows from that foundation.
Prayer
Father,
You are worthy of all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Forgive us for the times we have chased success more than we have pursued You. Reorder our loves. Teach us to seek Your kingdom first and to trust You with the outcomes. Let our work, our words, and our daily decisions flow from genuine devotion to You. May we end each day knowing we have loved You well.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture Readings for the Week
Monday: Deuteronomy 6:4–9 — Loving God with all your heart as the foundation of life.
Tuesday: Matthew 22:34–40 — The greatest commandment and its priority.
Wednesday: Matthew 6:25–34 — Seek first the kingdom of God.
Thursday: Colossians 3:17–24 — Working as unto the Lord.
Friday: Mark 8:34–38 — Gaining the world versus gaining your soul.
Saturday: Philippians 3:7–21 — Citizenship in heaven and eternal perspective.
Jonathan Griffin, Director of Membership Marketing at AMAC | Former pastor & professor | Current husband & father | Redeemed sinner, saved by grace.
