Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.

Today, Angela Vandagriff shares her thoughts on discovering God’s purpose for her life.

Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation and thy power to every one that is to come (Psalms 71:18 KJV).

At a very young age, my grandmother pulled me aside and whispered, “The Lord wants you to know you are created for a specific purpose.” I've spent my life relentlessly searching for that purpose, only to find myself exhausted and empty. 

As an immature Christian, I had developed the idea that my purpose was to be an awe-inspiring, spectacular child of God. When I failed to achieve that monumental status, I felt incomplete. Honestly, I felt like a failure.

Lacking spiritual mentors, I navigated life alone. Allowing isolation, misconceptions, and mistakes to break me, I ended up in a miry pit of darkness. God’s love illuminated that darkness with His truth. Realizing it wasn't me that had to do that one grand thing but rather God working his will through me, I felt free. What mattered was my daily journey and my relationship with Christ!

Paul ministered as God instructed. During one season, he spent two years in Rome. The place he lived was not his. However, he welcomed all whom God sent his way. “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31 NIV). It wasn't about Paul, but Christ!

Confined to one location, I had limited ability to change my situation. Now, it was all God. I cried out, “What purpose do I have now?” His answer profoundly changed me. He answered with Psalms 71:18:

Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation and thy power to every one that is to come (Psalms 71:18 KJV).

I realized it didn't matter that my hair was gray and my body was broken; I still had my voice. In my weakness, I shared the goodness of God with everyone He sent my way. I had to get to a place of total brokenness to see God's purpose. It wasn't about me, but Christ.

Prayerfully consider today the ways you could let God use your testimony to illuminate someone else's darkness.

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