Many times I think about my purpose in this world, and many times I get extremely overwhelmed.

In a world that tells you, from little on, that you can be absolutely anything that you set your mind to, it’s easy to become lost and shaken by all of the countless opportunities we are able to pursue and identities we can try on.

We live in a world of wondrous scientists and influential speakers, talented artists and musicians, skilled doctors and nurses, motivational teachers, trusted employees, and business-savvy employers, and I’ve only named a few of today’s common occupations. We truly can be anything we set our minds to- but a better question is: what does God want us to be?

A clear-cut answer doesn’t necessarily lie in scripture, at least, not in the way that I wish it would. God doesn’t plainly say, Bridget, be a teacher or Sam, be a doctor. God doesn’t demand us all to pursue specific occupations, but He does call us to use those occupations, whatever they are, to glorify Him, just as we should with everything we do every single day (1 Corinthians 10:31).

While God doesn’t demand we pursue one career over another, He does give each of us various and unique talents and abilities to build His Kingdom (1 Corinthians 12). God uses our very positions, circumstances, and abilities in this life to further His Kingdom, no matter who we are or where we are in life.

In all we do, God calls us to be His disciples. His messengers and our goal of utmost importance is to spread the good news of the Gospel (Matthew 28:19). Even the smallest amount of light can penetrate the darkest room, and in the same way, our light can penetrate and touch even the darkest of this world and others’ lives.

And God needs each and every one of us, wherever we are, in order to reach His people. God’s command to, “Go and make disciples of all nations” in Matthew 28:19 doesn’t come with guidelines or specifics other than to just GO.

God doesn’t care what our circumstances are, what our past looks like, what’s hurting our hearts, what our age is, or what our financial or social status is. He wants us to go, as is, just as we are, plain and simple.

You have a purpose. You can be the difference in someone’s faith life. You can show someone Jesus and let them know His love by the life you live and the words you speak daily. God doesn’t even demand that we have many years under our belt or immense wisdom to share.

In 1 Timothy 4:12, we are told: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” Therefore, you have a purpose, you can make a difference, and you have work to do, we all do.

Many people are scared that they are too small, too naive, too insignificant to make a difference in this world by spreading the love of Jesus. They believe that what they are capable of to doing simply won’t be enough or that their unique skill set won’t make the slightest difference. As a response to this common fear, my final encouragement comes from the hymn titled, “Hark, The Voice Of Jesus Calling”:

“If you cannot speak like angels,

If you cannot preach like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus;

You can say he died for all.

If you cannot rouse the wicked

With the judgment’s dread alarms,

You can lead the little children

To the Savior’s waiting arms.

If you cannot be a watchman,

Standing high on Zion’s wall,

Pointing out the path to heaven,

Offering life and peace to all,

With your prayers and with your bounties

You can do what God demands;

You can be life faithful Aaron,

Holding up the prophet’s hands.

Let none hear you idly saying,

"There is nothing I can do,"

While the multitudes are dying

And the master calls for you.

Take the task he gives you gladly;

Let his work your pleasure be.

Answer quickly when he calls you,

"Here am I. Send me, send me!"

Simply go, friends. Make disciples of all nations. Spread the good news of our loving Savior. Let us truly pray to God each day pleading, “Here am I, Lord. Send me. Amen.”