Born for a Greater Purpose
Restless Heart and a Heavenly Hope
Have you ever felt like you just don’t fit or just nothing fits? Like no matter where you go, what you do, or how hard you try, something is always missing? Have you ever felt the weight of rejection, as if the world around you has left you behind? Like you’re surrounded by people, yet the loneliness cuts deeper than ever, leaving you questioning if you’ll ever truly fit in anywhere? That ache of abandonment, the quiet whisper that maybe you're not enough—it's a pain only those who’ve felt it deeply can understand.
Even in that isolation, there's a voice calling you to a place of belonging, a truth that whispers: you are not forgotten.If so, you’re not alone. Many people wrestle with a deep, unshakable longing—a yearning that nothing in this world can satisfy. C.S. Lewis, a brilliant thinker and theologian, captured this sentiment perfectly when he wrote, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”
If you’ve ever felt like a black sheep, an outcast, or simply out of place, this truth is for you. You were never meant to blend in. You were made for more. That longing you feel is a divine invitation. Jesus came not just to save but to lead us into something greater. In John 10:10-12, He says, “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.” He is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep, called to listen and follow.
Who Was C.S. Lewis? A Skeptic Turned Believer
Before he became one of the greatest Christian writers of the 20th century, Clive Staples Lewis—better known as C.S. Lewis—was a staunch atheist. A brilliant scholar and professor at Oxford and Cambridge, he wrestled with faith and reason, often rejecting the very idea of God. Yet, after much inner struggle, he encountered the undeniable reality of Christ and surrendered his life to Him. His writings, including Mere Christianity and The Chronicles of Narnia, continue to inspire millions, helping people understand faith in a world that often feels confusing and empty. His most mainstream and widely recognized work is The Chronicles of Narnia series, particularly The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. This book has been adapted into multiple films and remains a cultural staple for both children and adults.
However, Lewis understood what it meant to feel out of place—to long for something greater. Lewis, who struggled with doubt and loneliness before coming to faith, knew the emptiness that comes from trying to fill a soul with anything but God. Could it be that our deepest desires are meant to lead us to the very thing we've been searching for all along—an eternal home, a love that never abandons, and a purpose that gives life meaning? He recognized that this longing is not a flaw, but a sign posted and pointing to our true home—eternal home.
Why Nothing in This World Fully Satisfies
Have you ever noticed how everything in life—success, relationships, wealth—eventually leaves us wanting more? That’s because the things of this world were never meant to complete us. Scripture reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that God has placed eternity in our hearts. This means that our deepest cravings can only be satisfied by something eternal—God Himself.
Jesus affirms this in John 10:10 when He says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” True fulfillment isn’t found in earthly status, fleeting pleasure, or human approval. It’s found in Him.
Jesus Came for the Outsiders Too
Maybe you feel like a black sheep, the odd one out, the person who never quite belongs. The good news? Jesus specializes in calling the outcasts, the misfits, and the overlooked.
Matthew the Tax Collector – A societal reject, yet chosen to be one of Jesus’ twelve disciples (Matthew 9:9-13).
The Woman at the Well – A Samaritan woman with a broken past, yet Jesus offered her living water (John 4:7-26).
Zacchaeus the Outcast – A man despised by his own people, yet Jesus dined with him and transformed his life (Luke 19:1-10).
Jesus doesn’t call the perfect—He calls the willing. He sees you, He knows you, and He invites you to step into who you are by following Him.
Embracing Your True Identity
If this world has left you weary, if nothing seems to fit, take heart. The reason you feel this way isn’t because you’re broken or lost—it’s because you were never meant to settle for less than God’s best. Philippians 3:20 reminds us, “But our citizenship is in heaven.”
Instead of chasing the temporary, embrace the eternal. Lean into God’s presence. Walk boldly in the identity He has given you. The longing you feel is not a mistake—it’s a divine invitation.
Now we all know that in a world filled with distractions, competing voices, and spiritual deception, Jesus’ words in John 10:27 stand as an anchor for believers:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
This statement is both a promise and a challenge. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, distinguishes Himself from the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He does not abandon His sheep in danger, nor does He lead them astray. Instead, He lovingly calls, protects, and restores them.
But how do we recognize His voice? How do we distinguish it from the noise of the world, our own emotions, and the enemy’s deception?
1. Knowing His Voice Means Knowing His Word
Jesus speaks through Scripture, and His voice will never contradict His Word. When we saturate our minds with the Bible, we grow attuned to His truth. The more we meditate on what He has already spoken, the easier it becomes to discern what is truly from Him.
2. The Good Shepherd Calls Us to Trust, Not Fear
Unlike the hireling, who abandons the sheep at the first sign of danger, Jesus lays down His life for us. Following His voice means rejecting fear-based decisions and walking in faith-based obedience. His guidance leads to life, restoration, and peace—even when the path is difficult.
3. He Leads Us to Abundant Life
John 10:10 reminds us that the enemy seeks to destroy, but Jesus came to give life and life more abundantly. This isn’t just about material blessings—it’s about spiritual fullness, security, and redemption. When we follow His voice, we find rest, renewal, and purpose.
4. Rest Assured—He Will Restore
No matter how far we stray, the Good Shepherd does not stop calling. He searches for the lost, binds the brokenhearted, and brings wandering sheep back to safety. If you've ever felt distant from God, know this: His voice still calls your name, urging you to return, to be healed, and to be made whole.
Canceling the Noise
In John 10:10-12, Jesus makes a powerful distinction between Himself, the Good Shepherd, and others who do not truly care for the sheep (His followers).
The thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to give abundant life (John 10:10).
The Good Shepherd (Jesus) lays down His life for His sheep, showing His deep love and commitment (John 10:11).
The hired hand (a bad shepherd) abandons the sheep when danger comes because he doesn’t truly care for them (John 10:12).
“If this world has left you weary, if nothing seems to fit, take heart. The reason you feel this way isn’t because you’re broken or lost—it’s because you were never meant to settle for less than God’s best.”
Signs of a Bad Shepherd (False Leaders) in Scripture:
Selfish motives – They lead for personal gain, not to serve others (Ezekiel 34:2-4).
Neglect and harm – Instead of protecting, they abuse their authority (Jeremiah 23:1-2).
Teach false doctrine – They twist God's truth and lead people astray (Matthew 7:15).
Fearful & unreliable – They abandon their people in hard times (Zechariah 11:17).
Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd because He never abandons, never deceives, and never fails those who follow Him. Unlike false leaders who care only for themselves, Jesus loves, leads, and lays down His life for His sheep
Live for the Kingdom, Not for the Crowd
You weren’t made to fit in—you were made to stand out. You were made for another world.
So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. To follow Jesus is to trust in His voice over every other influence in our lives. His voice will always lead us closer to the Father, never away.
