Have you ever asked yourself, 

“What am I supposed to do with my life?” I know I have! 
“What does God want from me?”
“What does God want me to do with my life?”

Here are two ways you can approach an answer:

THE BIBLE

The Bible in its entirety helps reveal what God wants from human beings: a relationship based on love, service, devotion and trust. Life is first and foremost about loving God and not about us! He asks that we make His name known and great throughout the world by the way we live and make relationships.

Jesus lived among us so we could know what it means to have a relationship with His Father, God. He came into the world as a child, living a human life, in order to share in our joy and suffering, and to be able to relate to us. When Jesus died on the cross and was raised back to life, He established our path to an eternity spent with Him in heaven—a place without pain and without suffering. That’s love!

Learn more about this by taking a journey through the story of Jesus in the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Jesus is the ultimate example of what it looks like to be in a loving and listening relationship with God.

RELATIONSHIP

If we are striving to have a relationship with God and to know Him better, He will reveal more of Himself to us (James 4:8). The more we grow and learn about God’s desires, the more we will be able to listen and respond when He speaks to us as individuals.

When I have been reading and studying the Bible, speaking with God through prayer, and giving up my time to serve others (things I know will show God that I love Him), I am aware of my growing love for God. I know His mind and His voice better. I know His character.

If I know my best friend feels loved when I call her, or come alongside her when she’s sad, I will do those things because I love her. As I grow closer to my friend and interact with her more, I will know what ensures our friendship is strong and growing. I will learn to hear her voice out of a crowd, and I will act out of a heart that loves and trusts, giving more of my time and self.

As we grow closer and deeper into our relationship with God, we come to know the person of the Holy Spirit. He empowers those who love God to carry out His specific purpose in the world around us. In fact, the more we grow, the more will be added to us in skill, in power, and in understanding (Matthew 6:33), and our path will become clearer. Not easier, perhaps, but clearer. We will learn to see that God is faithful, that God loves us, that He is trustworthy, that He is our portion forever and that with Him, nothing is impossible.

This coming near to God is a lifelong process, and we need to be willing to go along for the ride, whatever the cost or challenges! A friend recently shared with me that living to TRUST God is the goal, rather than living to please God. Living to please will set us up for wrong thinking and even self-judgement, but living to trust Him every step of the way will place us in a posture of humility, gratitude and right thinking about who God is, and that will please Him.

Let’s apply these thoughts to the decisions we make in life. Ask yourself if you trust God in the decisions you have to make. Will your decision draw you closer to Him? Will it show your love for God?

To learn more about God’s plan for us:

• Read the Gospels (and/or get started on a regular Bible Study if you need help reading and understanding).
• Keep up consistent communication with God through prayer, journaling, music, etc.
• Read other books that will help you learn more (find authors who really speak to you and whom you can understand).
• Get connected with your church and find out ways you can serve the community.
• Talk to your officer or youth leader you respect about what God wants for you and seek their encouragement.
• Go out and do things you know God would love.
• Subscribe to a daily blog that encourages you spiritually (check out Rick Warren, John Maxwell, Donald Miller, and Stuff Christians Like by Jon Acuff).