Monday, April 27, 2026
Bible in a Year: Job 21-22 | Matthew 13
A few years ago, my daughter was about to graduate from high school. Like many seniors, she faced the big questions:
What’s next?
Where should I go?
What am I supposed to do with my life?
For a young person, that search for answers can feel heavy. There’s excitement, but also pressure … like somehow you’re supposed to figure out your entire future all at once.
The truth is, those questions don't just disappear after graduation. We carry them into many seasons of life: What is my purpose? Am I doing what I’m supposed to? Does my life really matter?
It’s easy to believe that purpose is something big, distant, or hard to define - something we have to chase down, or something we will finally “arrive” at someday. Like it's waiting for us in the next job, the next stage, or the next big decision.
In Matthew 25, Jesus paints a simpler picture of how we find purpose. He explains that our purpose isn’t hidden somewhere far off. It’s often found in the needs right in front of us, like feeding the hungry, welcoming a stranger, and caring for the sick (Matthew 25:34-36).
Matthew 25:40
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
Jesus calls us to respond to people’s needs. Purpose means showing up with love in action.
The problem is, it’s easy to overlook simple opportunities to serve others. We get busy and don't listen to gentle nudges from the Holy Spirit to notice something or someone. Or we get stuck in the trap of worldly pressure and assume that purpose has to be bigger, more visible, and more impressive.
But don’t forget: you’ve been chosen not just to be part of this world, but to serve others.
Jesus calls us all to meet needs, notice people, and care - to take what feels like ordinary moments, and let God turn them into something meaningful.
With God, we are all capable of doing wonderful things. So, if you're searching for your purpose today, I encourage you not to overcomplicate it. Stop where you are and look around. In a world full of pressure and brokenness, there may be someone right in front of you who has a need you can meet.
And when you serve them, you're serving Jesus!
Questions:
Who is right in front of you, and what do they need?
What interests and talents do you have that can be a gift to others in need?
Next Steps:
Serve. Sign up for the upcoming Second Saturday at your campus to put your skills and interests to practical use as you serve others.
Subscribe to the Matthew 25 Challenge. You can find details on the home page of the CedarCreek App. When we understand how deeply we’ve been chosen and loved by God, it changes the way we live and the way we love others. It’s part of why we say we’re here to help, because every person matters. Through this partnership with World Vision, we’re excited to give our church the opportunity to live it out in a real and tangible way.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that our purpose is found in loving and serving those around us. Open our eyes to see the needs right in front of us, and give us the courage to respond with compassion. Help us to trust that when we serve others, we are serving you. Guide our steps today and let our actions reflect your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Ephesians 1:5
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
This post was written by Lori Tuckerman, Director of Content at CedarCreek.