Finding Purpose in the Ordinary: My Journey of Everyday Faith and Connection

I used to think that God's purpose for my life had to be this grand, sweeping thing. You know, like becoming a missionary in some poverty-driven country, leading a major ministry, or starting a world-changing non-profit. And honestly, it made me feel a little inadequate. Like, if I wasn't doing something "big," was I even fulfilling God's will? The truth is, for most of us, God's purpose isn't found just in the extraordinary, but profoundly in the ordinary. He uses our everyday lives, our mundane tasks, and our seemingly small interactions to bring Him glory and advance His kingdom. I'm learning that He's right there in my daily grind. My hope is to inspire you to appreciate the beauty in the ordinary, recognizing that our simplest actions can glorify God.

The Call to the Ordinary

As a child, I always believed in God, but I never thought I was extraordinary enough for God to choose me to have a purpose in his grand plan. I thought, 'What talents do I have that I could use?' I'm not a pastor or a leader of any kind. What do I, just an ordinary, boring, weird girl, have to offer? I went to church, checked off the boxes, and "read" my bible.

But as I grew older, I found myself caught up in life's routine. Still feeling lost, I read all the self-help books and did extensive research on the subject to just maybe find a tiny clue on what I am supposed to be doing with my life. I'd scroll through social media, seeing others launch amazing things, and think, " I'm never going to be good enough to do amazing things."

This mindset left me feeling constantly inadequate, frustrated, depressed, and always searching for something that might never materialize in the way I imagined. It blinded me to the incredible ways God was already working through me, right where I was. But, I was growing further apart from my relationship with Christ as daily responsibilities like work and family became my everyday reality, and I lost sight of what was truly important.

There would be things here and there to remind me God is here, but I didn't pay close attention. I strayed away, and my judgment was clouded by worldly sins and temptations. I know now that he never left me, even when I found myself lost. He has been working his magic for years, and he will continue to work with me. Even after years of being lost, ignoring God, being too scared of what people thought, and not liking the persona of "church people," I came back.

Later, as I found myself sitting in cross cross-connect church with my husband, listening to Pastor Tommy's sermon, my heart ached. I knew I wasn't living a Godly life. I knew I made a lot of mistakes and I wasn't living my life as I should. My heart had hardened from life. I needed to change my path and my direction. I felt like I was running a race that I had already lost. I wanted to live a life that God would be proud to call me one of his daughters. But I didn't know how. I found myself praying to God to show me what I need to do to be closer to him. To tell me where to go and whom to talk to. I heard him whisper, "You're here".

I signed up for a women's Bible study group at church, or rather Bible application group. The studies have been a lot to digest, especially when I was just getting my feet wet again. I felt like I wasn't really "getting" it or getting anything out of the group. I wanted to stop going. It felt pointless. I thought, "No one would even miss me." That is exactly what the devil was feeding me and letting me believe. I would've stopped if it wasn't for my best friend who kept me going.

Along with my women's groups, I also help out with church events whenever I can. Being around the right people can change your mindset and perspectives. You learn and you grow together in your faith walk, rather than heading down a path of temptations. (Galatians 6:1-2) The less time spent with those "friends", the more you won't want to do the things you used to do. (Proverbs 13:20) Don't get me wrong, you will mess up, but you can use that as a learning tool and as a connection piece. Our stories can potentially lead someone to God. You just need a little courage and faith. How do we get courage and faith? By having a relationship with God and having the powerful holy spirit by your side.

I never understood or believed it, until I reconnected my faith, but ALL the answers are in the Bible. The more I read my bible and study his word, the more I feel God is speaking directly to me. I have more clarity and insight into the problems I'm having.

When I'm distressed or if I'm struggling with my faith and purpose,(Romans 12:1-2) I turn to my Bible App. They have many subject touchpoints that you can read about. These have helped in times of need. Whether I'm angry (Psalm 4:4), have an addiction (Deuteronomy 31:6), or when I am backsliding (Mathew 18:7), I open the app and go to whatever I'm feeling and have a moment with God.

Here is what it says about purpose.

In Psalm 57:2, God has a general purpose and a specific purpose for each of us. If nothing else, we are chosen by God to let the love of Jesus shine through us to make an impact on others. We all have spiritual gifts, so we can use them to make unique contributions in our sphere of influence. The more we fulfil our general purpose, the clearer our specific purpose will become.

In Romans 12:1-2, Discovering God's purpose for you begins with your whole-hearted commitment to God. when you give yourself to God, he promises to make his will known to you as you make yourself available to him. If you withhold willingness and obedience until he tells you exactly what he has planned for you, you will not make progress.

https://tbibles.com/oKVb

So, how do I shift my perspective and recognize God's purpose in my own daily life? It's been a journey, but here's what I'm learning:

• My Work Can Be Worship, Even When It's Tough: Embracing the ordinary often requires accepting the less glamorous parts of life. I enjoy routines, and I have developed habits to help me recognize God in my daily tasks. Cooking dinner, cleaning, or running errands become moments for gratitude and reflection. For instance, while washing dishes, I take that time to think about the blessings in my life. This practice of mindfulness has shifted my perspective, showing me the beauty in each moment. Every chore can become a way to honor God and acknowledge His faithfulness. Whether I'm tackling a mountain of paperwork, trying to keep my house clean, or just making dinner, I'm learning that my work can be an act of worship. When I approach my tasks with integrity, diligence, and a desire to serve, I'm reflecting God's character.

  
  

  How can I bring excellence, kindness, or honesty to whatever's in front of me today, even when I'm tired? That's living out my purpose. That small act of connection reflected a larger purpose.

  
  

• Relationships as My Training Grounds: My interactions with family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers offer countless opportunities to live out God's love. Whenever I get a "feeling" like someone is heavy on my mind. I initially thought they don't really know me or I'm not their close friend, so wouldn't it just be weird?" But now I do, a quick text just seeing how they are, or honestly letting them know they were on my mind. Typically, I find out that they have been struggling or just lost a family member, and that my message meant a lot. This choice, while simple, proved impactful. I encourage everyone to seek daily connection opportunities—whether with family, friends, or even strangers. These relationships remind us that our interactions can shine God's light in the world.

  
  

  Practicing patience when my husband is pushing every button, offering a listening ear to a struggling friend, or just smiling at the person in line at the grocery store—these are all ways I can be an extension of God's heart in the world.

  
  

• Stewardship of the Small Things (Especially When I Feel Overwhelmed): God entrusts me with various resources: my time, my talents, my finances, my home. How I manage these "small" things matters. Using my time wisely (even if it's just 15 minutes of focused effort), developing a skill to serve others (like writing my poetry into songs, or writing this blog), being generous with my resources, or simply creating a welcoming space in my home—And yes, sometimes it's just about getting the laundry done AND put away as a win. These are all acts of faithfulness that glorify God.

  
  

• The Power of Just Being Present: In a world where I'm constantly striving for the next big thing, simply being present and intentional in my daily life can be revolutionary. Fully engaging in a conversation instead of spacing out, savoring a quiet moment with my coffee, reading my Bible, or just appreciating the sound of birds outside my window allows space for God to work and for me to experience His presence. It's tough, but it's where I find true peace.

Searching for Sacred Moments

Recently, I started keeping a gratitude journal again. In it, I note daily moments that remind me of purpose, both big and small. This practice has helped me see how even simple interactions can hold deep significance.

One day, I wrote about a brief interaction with someone. A simple, “How are you?” turned into an uplifting conversation about faith. That small exchange stayed with me, reminding me that God is present in our everyday moments. I encourage others to practice gratitude. Celebrating the ordinary can help us recognize the extraordinary purpose in our lives.

Embracing Your Journey

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that seeking purpose doesn’t require grand gestures. The beauty lies in recognizing how our daily actions and relationships reveal God's love.

Let's not overlook the small chances to serve, inspire, and connect. Together, these moments weave a life rich in meaning and purpose, proving that even the ordinary can be extraordinary.

Finding purpose in the ordinary is a journey worth taking. Take a moment to reflect on the small experiences in your life. You may find that God is using these everyday moments for His glory, one simple act at a time.