Day 19 — Made for a Purpose

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

— Jeremiah 1:5 (BSB)

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Grown-ups love to ask that question. Maybe you have an answer ready: a teacher, a vet, a doctor, an artist, an engineer, a mom. Maybe you have no idea yet. Both are okay!

God spoke today’s words to a young man named Jeremiah. Jeremiah was probably a teenager when God called him to be a prophet. And look at what God said: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you.”

Before Jeremiah was even born, God knew him and had a purpose for his life.

Jeremiah’s first reaction was to protest that he was only a child and didn’t know how to speak (Jeremiah 1:6). But God told him not to say that. God would go with him, and give him the words to say.

God’s special calling for Jeremiah was to be a prophet. Your calling will probably be different! But the same truth applies to you: God knew you before you were born, and He made you for a purpose.

What is that purpose? For every Christian, the biggest part of our calling is the same: to love God, to love people, to become more like Jesus and to tell others about Him. That’s the calling for everyone.

But God also gives each of us a particular way to live out that calling: through our personalities, our gifts, our passions and the opportunities He puts in front of us. Some are called to be doctors or teachers or scientists or artists. Some are called to raise families. Some are called to serve in other countries. Most people have many callings over their lives.

You don’t have to figure it all out right now. God reveals His plans a step at a time. For now, your calling is to love God, grow in Him, and do today’s work well.

This week, we’ll explore how to discover your gifts and dream with God about your future.

Think about it: How does it feel to know that God knew you before you were born and made you for a purpose?

Try this: Ask your parents, “What did you notice about me when I was little that might show what God made me for?”

Dear God, thank You that You knew me before I was born and made me for a purpose. Help me love You, love people and grow like Jesus. And show me, step by step, the special ways You want me to serve You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.