Lockdowns, ‘friend bubbles’, and social distancing guidelines meant to create a barrier between us and the virus also provided the perfect environment for us all to take a good hard look at our lives. For those who were used to living with little to no margin, stressed, strapped and chronically exhausted, the commanding halt Covid placed on society offered – at least initially – a chance to rest, and the chance to take up a long-lost hobby. But now, two years later, we are wrestling to find real, significant meaning in our existence.

As Jesus followers, it feels like our ability to abide in Christ and ride this whole nightmare out peacefully should be easy. We should hold the keys to cruising through Covid! But many Christians are struggling with the very same questions as their non-Christian friends and neighbours. From joining the ‘Great Resignation’ movement to packing up and leaving the city for wide open spaces, there is widespread re-evaluation occurring across all sectors of society. Why is this happening?

Part of my role at the Christian discipleship and mobilisation agency where I work is figuring out how to effectively share the gospel with audience groups on a global scale. As anyone in marketing knows, the secret to communicating with clarity is understanding people, and the gateway to that understanding is research. Prior to Covid, we embarked on a global research study designed to help us learn how to effectively talk about the Great Commission with Jesus followers. For our research in Australia, we partnered with McCrindle, a New South Wales-based social research company.

Without the ‘why,’ the ‘what’ is vulnerable in times of great stress, such as global pandemics

Through McCrindle’s work, we learned that Australian Christians have sincere hearts to make the world a better place through acts of kindness and generosity, but they don’t have a firm grasp on their unique role within God’s greater plan. In other words, they understand what they should do (love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and love your neighbour as yourself), but they don’t understand why they should do it (to go and make disciples of all nations).

It may seem like an insignificant detail, but I must tell you, this was a big discovery. Without the ‘why,’ the ‘what’ is vulnerable in times of great stress, such as global pandemics triggered by a seemingly never-ending cycle of viral mutations. It’s like a one-legged ladder. You can keep your balance for a while, but eventually, you really need that second leg to offer stability.

So, I’ll ask you: what’s your why? Why are you here?

Having a purpose is vital to human wellbeing. We need to know we matter, and that somehow, our choices and behaviours and very existence make sense in the grand scheme.

But for Jesus followers, we shouldn’t face this same struggle, right? We aren’t rudderless. We aren’t untethered. We are intimately connected to our Maker, and we are here on earth to serve him.

[Australian Christians] don’t have a firm grasp on their unique role within God’s greater plan.

This message has been clearly articulated in the Bible. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us…” 2 Corinthians 5:20.

Our job is to shine the light of Christ while we go about our everyday lives – whatever we do for a living. This is not about a job change. It’s a “why” change. He is your reason.

In my experience, making the shift from a world-focused or me-focused lifestyle to living for Jesus has been so satisfying. My days are not perfect, but when I falter, I can grab hold of that stabilising “why” and regain my footing.

You are here on purpose. You’re a strategic part of God’s solution and you have a role in Creation. When you embrace your God-given mission to be a part of making the world a better place, I think you’ll discover immense satisfaction and peace.

If you are re-evaluating your life right now, whether it’s tangible things like your job or home, or something more existential, I urge you to remember that you were made for a specific purpose and have been invited to shine brightly for God’s glory.

Friends, the call has been made. God is waiting for you to answer. Go ahead, pick it up. You’ve got nothing to lose, other than your struggle for meaning. Don’t miss this call!

Geoff Peters is global Chief Marketing Officer & Brand Champion at Operation Mobilisation (OM) International, and is the author of two books, The Family Business and Love Child (to be released in 2022).