Longing for Purpose: Week One Reflections from 40 Days Through the Bible

After completing 40 Days Through the Bible by Lysa TerKeurst and the Proverbs 31 Ministries team, I’m excited to look back and share my reflections week by week. This study was a deeply meaningful journey that provided clarity, hope, and renewed purpose, and I highly recommend it to anyone—whether you’re just beginning your walk with God or have a well-established faith. As I revisit each week’s lessons, I’m reminded of how powerful and transformative it was to dig deep into God’s Word and explore His incredible plans for our lives.

Prayers and Longings

When I reflect on my prayers lately, they’ve centered on the health of my unborn baby, the safety and well-being of my friends and family, and finding peace amid a world filled with unknowns. This season has me clinging to God more than ever, longing to trust His perfect plan. The first week of this study reminded me that these deep desires and fears reflect an even deeper thirst, not for physical water but for the living water only God can provide.

In Amos 8:11-13, God promises a unique kind of thirst: not for water, but for His presence and word. This image hit me powerfully. The study highlighted a truth that resonated deeply: “Instead of going to His well of life, we keep digging broken cisterns, seeking satisfaction from soiled substitutes.” How often do I find myself reaching for quick, worldly comforts instead of seeking the only One who can truly satisfy? This misplaced seeking, as the book suggests, has led to a famine of God’s Word in our hearts and culture—a sobering thought.

Made with Purpose

The first chapters of Genesis reveal a Creator who designed everything with intentionality. When I read that we are made in the image of God, it struck me that from the very beginning, we were created with purpose. Genesis 1:31 highlights how each part of creation depends on the other, forming a beautiful, interconnected system. It’s a reminder that every piece of God’s handiwork, including each of us, has a role to play.

The study brought me comfort with this reminder: “We find hope that God has a plan bigger than what we see in the hard places of our life. Bigger than the mess in which we may find ourselves. Creation shows us God is an expert at beginnings.” Even when life feels chaotic or overwhelming, God’s creative power reassures me that He’s at work, orchestrating something good.

Renewing Our Minds

Romans 12:2 challenges us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The book emphasizes that our minds are renewed through God’s living and active Word. This encouraged me to step back and examine my own intentions. Where am I allowing the world to influence me, and how can I shift my mindset to align with God’s truth?

Another takeaway came from reflecting on Romans 4:4-5. True faith isn’t something we earn but something we receive as a gift. It’s not about being perfect but about placing our trust in God’s perfect plan. God forgives us, not because we deserve it, but because we have faith in Him. This gave me a renewed sense of gratitude and peace, knowing that God’s grace covers my imperfections.

Wrestling with Doubt

One of the most profound questions the book posed was, “Have you ever doubted God?” My honest answer is yes—I have doubted. I’ve faced moments of fear and uncertainty, questioning whether God really had a plan. Yet, looking back, I see how He has worked through difficult times, bringing growth and understanding. This perspective has deepened my faith and reinforced the importance of trusting the process. The book reassures us that “God’s promises are eternal and unchangeable. They will not fail because God cannot fail.”

Moving Forward

This first week of study was a powerful reminder of our universal longing for purpose and how only God can fulfill that desire. As I continue through this journey, I’m praying for a heart open to His will, a mind renewed by His Word, and a faith anchored in His unshakeable promises.

If you’re walking through your own season of longing or uncertainty, I hope these reflections encourage you. God’s plan is always bigger and more beautiful than we can imagine. Let’s keep seeking His living water together.