Cultural Deception

I used to be obsessed with finding my purpose. Maybe you can relate. I read many self-help books, convinced that one of them held the key to unlocking the secret of my existence here on earth. Each book felt like a missing puzzle piece. I told myself I was making progress, that I was getting closer to “figuring it all out.” But in reality, all I was doing was running in circles, chasing a version of purpose that centered on “self & flesh” instead of God.

Without realizing it, I had turned myself into my own god of self. I had this mindset, if I just think positive thoughts, repeat the right affirmations, practice mindfulness by emptying my mind, or follow the right formula,surely I could manifest the life I wanted. But something always felt… off. No matter how much I searched, no matter how many strategies I tried, I still felt restless. It was as if I were trying to complete a puzzle, but the most crucial piece was missing.

Then, four years later, I realized that purpose is not found in culture, social media trends, or even the best self-improvement plans. And it certainly is not found within “self”. Purpose is found in God our creator. My life’s purpose is not self-centered; it is about Him. It’s about who He created me to be and what He has called me to do for His kingdom. That realization was both freeing and terrifying.

God’s plan had been taken me down roads I wouldn’t have never chosen myself. Some paths felt uncertain, uncomfortable, even painful. There were seasons when I questioned, “Lord, is that the way?”, “ Lord, why am I feeling this way”, “ Lord, why am I not sussceeding” because nothing about the journey seemed to make sense. I thought purpose would feel fulfilling, exciting, and clear, but instead, I found myself in places of distractions, waiting, in moments of doubts, loss, disbeliefs, in situations that stretched me far beyond what I thought I could handle.

But purpose isn’t about comfort—it’s about obedience. It’s about trusting that even when I can’t see the full picture, God is still leading me exactly where I need to be. It’s about walking by faith, not by sight, even when my emotions scream for a detour. True purpose requires surrender—the kind of surrender that lays down my own plans, my own desires, my own projects, my own passions, my own version of what I think my life should look like.

It’s waking up each day and saying, “Lord, not my will, but Yours be done.” Even when His will lead me through seasons of pruning. Even though it meant sacrificing things I thought indispensable, like netflix. I lived 13 months without Netflix. Despite leading me to situations that feel beyond my capabilities. Because purpose isn’t about me—it’s about Him. And if He leads me somewhere, it’s because He has already gone before me, preparing the way.

There is beauty is surrendering all to Him. Surrendering doesn’t leave us void; it sets us free. It frees us from the pressure of figuring everything out on our own. It frees us from the anxiety of trying to control outcomes. It frees us to live in the fullness and goodness of God’s plan, trusting that His way is always higher, always better, always exactly what we need, even when we don’t understand it yet.

We live in a culture that centers on the pursuit of purpose. In our relentless pursuit, we follow every trend, every new philosophy, every self-proclaimed expert who promises they have the blueprint for success. We indulge in whatever practices promise to reveal our “true calling.” But when God is not at the center, our search becomes a deception. We end up chasing shadows, trying to create a purpose that God never intended for us.

True purpose is not something we manufacture—it’s something we receive. It all begins with getting to know Yahweh, the One who created us. Jeremiah 1:5 reads, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” God plans your life in the spirit realm long before he formed you in your mother’s womb. Every aspect of your life, including hardships and seasons of waiting, are intentional, not accidental. He weaves even those hard moments into His purpose for your life.

The most humbling truth is this: your purpose is not about you. It’s about advancing His kingdom, here on earth as it is in heaven. It’s about stepping into the story God has preordained for your life.

Perhaps, the question we should be asking is not “What is my purpose?” but rather, “Lord, what is Your purpose for me?

In Him lies the true reason for our existence.

With love & grace,

Darline