For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

 

The oldest, healthiest people in the world have a strong sense of this: their ikigai.

Ikigai is a word in Japanese that refers to your life mission or sense of purpose. When older people in Okinawa, Japan have their medical checkups, they’re asked, “What’s your ikigai or mission? What will you leave as a legacy that lasts beyond your own endurance?”  For the astounding number of Okinawan citizens living to be over a hundred years old, a clear sense of purpose has contributed to both their spiritual vitality and physical well-being.[1]

Why do we each need a unique sense of purpose in our lives? If you’ve ever felt like you had no reason to get up in the morning, you can answer that question. Living out the unique “why” behind your life, can make even exhausting days satisfying.

God gives a mission to those who ask because every person matters to Him. The Bible says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10). God wants to partner with you on an adventure written with you in mind!

Jesus said that loving God, loving others, and sharing the Good News of Jesus are the ingredients that make up every believer’s mission. How you carry out this mission and do the “good things” that scripture talks about will be unique to you! Your Ikigai is usually found in something that combines what you love, what you’re good at, with sharing God’s love with others. Take some time today to think about your ikigai or life mission.

[1] Buettner, Dan, producer. “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zone,” episode 2. Netflix, 30 August 2023.