When I was feeling lost, unsure of where to turn, I found myself questioning my purpose in life. At 30 years old, I was in a place where many of us find ourselves—searching for meaning, reevaluating our goals, and grappling with the disappointments that come from pursuing dreams that don’t unfold as we expect.

In my quest for answers, I turned to different goals, hoping they would fill the void. Yet, each trial and setback only deepened my questions. It was in these moments of hardship that I began to seek guidance from a source I had always known but never fully understood—the Bible.

Initially, I felt disappointed. I had hoped for clear, immediate answers to the struggles I faced in business and life. But what I didn’t realize was that my approach was all wrong. I was reading the Bible from my perspective, expecting to find what I wanted to see. Little did I know that true understanding doesn't come from our own efforts or wisdom.

The Bible, I’ve come to learn, isn't a text we decipher on our own. It’s God who opens our hearts and minds to its truths. Every experience, every trial, and every triumph in life serves as a lens through which we can better understand His word. And when we begin to see things this way, the Bible becomes a living, breathing guide that speaks directly to our circumstances.

As our understanding deepens, something remarkable happens—we begin to see more evidence of Christ's involvement in our lives. It becomes clear that it's not just us reading words on a page; it's God speaking to us, guiding us through His Son. The experiences that once seemed random or purposeless start to form a clear pattern of Christ's active presence in our journey. This realization is both humbling and empowering, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. Christ is with us, leading us, and His voice echoes through every verse, every moment of clarity, and every step we take in faith.

But what has been most profound in my journey is recognizing that even in those moments where it seemed like I was the one who needed to be faithful, it was God who was at work within me, increasing my faith. I used to think that faith was something I had to muster on my own, something I had to prove. But I’ve come to understand that even faith itself is a gift from God. It’s His work in us, drawing us closer to Him, revealing more of His truth, and deepening our trust in His plan.

Looking back, I can see how God orchestrated every step. Had my pastor not suddenly given me the responsibility of teaching at Sunday School, I wouldn’t have come to know the Bible the same way I do now. It was that unexpected burden that led me to dive deeper into the Scriptures, and through that, God cultivated in me a love for His word. It wasn’t my own desire or initiative that brought me to this place; it was God guiding me, drawing me closer to Him through His word.

The more I’ve walked this path, the more I see that my faith, my understanding, my very ability to believe—all of it is rooted in God's grace. Every time I’ve experienced a breakthrough, every moment when I’ve felt God’s hand guiding me, it’s been a reminder that it’s not my strength or wisdom at play. It’s Christ at work in me, molding my heart, shaping my journey, and making me faithful in Him.

Conclusion: The Glory Belongs to God

In the end, I’ve come to a humbling realization: there is nothing I can take credit for. Every victory, every step forward, every bit of understanding—none of it is my doing. It’s all Christ. He did it all for us, even our salvation. Our faith, our ability to trust, and our very lives are all gifts from God, manifestations of His grace and love.

This understanding changes everything. It shifts our perspective from self-reliance to God-dependence, from striving to surrender. When we see that Christ has done it all, we are freed from the burden of trying to earn our way or prove ourselves. Instead, we can rest in the truth that God is the one who makes us faithful, who carries us through every trial, and who brings us into a deeper relationship with Him.

So if you’re questioning your purpose, feeling lost or overwhelmed, remember this: you are not alone. Christ is with you, and He is the one who will see you through. He is the author and perfecter of your faith, and to Him belongs all the glory.

He paid the price, He died in our stead.