YOUR LIFE FITS INTO A PLAN

BY DOUGLAS RILEY, COMMISSIONER

Chances are, you want to know what your purpose is. This does not make you unusual—in fact, we’re all united in this way. We are all seeking.

Compared to a decade ago, U.S. adults today are more likely to regularly wonder about meaning and purpose in this life, according to a recent study from Lifeway Research. The study found most Americans (57%) say they wonder, “How can I find more meaning and purpose in my life?” at least monthly, with more than one in five saying they consider the question daily or weekly.

We’re all yearning as we find our way through this world, but finding your purpose is not so much about what you do in your life, your vocation. I would say it’s much deeper than that.

We want to find joy. We want to find peace. We want to find our community. It’s almost as if there’s a hidden secret we’re all looking for. We want to know what it is we’re meant to do.

You might be wrestling with it now.

Maybe you are one of those who have asked me, “Why were we created? What were we designed for?”

And if that wasn’t you but you’d still like to know my response, here it is: It’s not a secret at all. The answer is simple but profound.

We’re created by God, designed by him. He knew us before we were born, as Scripture says, and yet, each one of us is given the choice whether to follow him or not.

It’s up to you.

I believe God has a purpose for each one of us, a design for our lives.

He created you. He formed you before you were even known, and he has an assignment for you and me, no matter how many mistakes we make in trying to do things on our own.

But why did God put me on earth? What am I here for? How do I find my purpose?

As J.R. Tolkien wrote in The Lord of the Rings, “Not all who wander are lost.”

The same goes for us today.

You might feel as though you’re wandering, unfulfilled, but you’re not lost. Here’s the truth:

It is God who directs the lives of his creatures (Job 12:10).

Many are the plans for a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails (Prov. 19:21).

And we know that God causes all things to work together for those who love God and those who are called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28).

God’s purpose for you is simple, and profound: To know and glorify him. To follow his ways.

His purpose is far greater than personal fulfillment, peace of mind or even happiness.

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace (2 Tim. 1:9a).

Your life fits into a plan far greater than you could ever comprehend, a plan for eternity.

We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2:10).

Scripture tells us don’t look left or right, look straight ahead—focus on Jesus. Don’t let it become routine or get so caught up in the busyness of life that you lose the passion to be like Jesus.

His purpose for you is simply to love him, serve him and be more like him so you reflect him to everyone you meet.

We are his workmanship, his messengers.

So, let’s get to it. | C |

We recently asked our audience: HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR PLACE IN THE SALVATION ARMY?

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU BELONG?

These are only a few of the responses:

“I came needing some help with our utility bill...After getting help from them, they helped our son, who was 2 then, have a good Christmas because we were not going to be able to give him any Christmas gifts due to hardship. The Salvation Army made it possible for a Christmas we would never forget. They invited me to church and Bible study and it has been our church since.” RAGHEL

SANTIAGO

“It was where I was saved, and where I now serve and worship.” —ERIN

KAUFFMAN

“My mom brought me to church, to VBS and Home League at first. Everyone welcomed me and accepted me as I was; it didn’t matter how different I was, no one was too pushy to make me join. When I was ready, I came along.”—MICHELE

GROSSKRUEGER

“I was referred to the Denver Harbor Light program by my probation officer…The Salvation Army welcomed me with open arms and made me feel loved and safe. Then, while I was there, I found Jesus Christ and his love for me. I learned about the mission of the Army and want that mission for my life.”

RICHARD BARNES

“After being the abused child of drug addicts and a homeless mother myself, I am in a unique situation to support the families and help children start healing from the trauma…God had a plan for me because I never planned for a life of service, but now I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

STEVI HATCHER

“I volunteered to serve dinner on Thanksgiving in 1995.”

—SHIRILI VALDEZ

“I was once in the ARC (Adult Rehabilitation Center) and then became homeless and then entered the William Booth Center, where I got hired as a shelter monitor and this year I will be celebrating six years working for The Salvation Army.”

—BRADLEE VRIELING

“I found The Salvation Army through my substance abuse program. The Salvation Army will forever be home to me because it saved my life.”—JODY MAY

“It is a place that I know I can invite others into and they’ll be taken care of.” —KIARA

COLGAN

“Growing up, my grandma would give me a dollar to put in the red bucket during the holidays…Working at The Salvation Army has connected me to more amazing people than I ever could have imagined.”

—DANIEL OLIVEIRA

—DESIREE VAESAU

“I feel welcome at The Salvation Army knowing that even though I made many mistakes in my past, I was forgiven, accepted and given another chance. Being accepted into a case manager position and being able to take this job has changed my entire life. I am able to give others the chance that was given to me in recovery and help others make better choices in life.”

“At my first day at a Salvation Army corps, I was hugged by five people in the corps and they did not care what I was wearing, what I looked like, they just loved on me…I felt like I was home on that very first Sunday. As a corps officer I try to follow that example, making people people feel welcomed and loved no matter what.”—RACHEL

JOHNSON

“It really is all about family for me. It is about being accepted for who you are and not because of what you can offer.”

—CHARLES FOWLER

“It was Christmas of 1986 when The Salvation Army came into my life. I was a dependent of a military person, and we were struggling to get by. The Salvation Army provided my home with food and toys, a Christmas tree. I had never had such an experience in my lifetime.”

–BILLIE LAWSON

“I broke down while traveling and a Salvation Army site let me sleep in the parking lot and fed me. Now, years later, I found a job in Housing Now. I owe a lot to The Salvation Army. I’m very grateful.”

—JESSICA NOBLE

“I was a volunteer counselor at Community Service Camp at age 17. The Salvation Army has provided me with friends, meaning and value, purpose and direction, redemption and forgiveness.”

–MARTHA SHEPPARD

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? SEE PAGE 13.