Created for More: The Sacred Dignity of Living on Purpose 

Grow Deep Blog #3
By Destri Diehl

 

 

“Be a person who is more concerned with God’s Kingdom than with personal success.” — Francis Chan 

 

Called Beyond Comfort: Discovering the Dignity in Purpose 

Most of us, whether we’ll admit it or not, long for safety. We settle into routines, cling to predictability, and draw comfort from the belief that we’re in control of our lives. But the truth is, real dignity isn’t found in playing it safe — it’s discovered when we embrace a purpose bigger than ourselves. 

God rarely calls us to convenience. Instead, He leads us into places where our own strength won’t be enough, and our plans no longer feel certain. Not because He wants to unsettle us, but because He knows that’s where our true identity and worth are revealed. 

Francis Chan once said:
“God doesn’t call us to be comfortable, He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.” 

That kind of trust requires courage — and it grants us the kind of dignity that comes from living on purpose. 

The Illusion of Control 

Comfort feels safe because it’s predictable. But it also quietly diminishes us. When we only operate within what we can manage, we limit not only what we experience but who we become. 

Scripture is filled with people who stepped out of their comfort zones and, in doing so, discovered a dignity rooted in faith and obedience: 

  • Abraham left everything familiar, believing in a promise he couldn’t yet see. 
  • Moses stood before Pharaoh, unqualified and afraid, yet chosen. 
  • Peter stepped out onto stormy waters, willing to risk everything for a chance to walk toward Jesus. 
  • Esther risked her life for her people, claiming her God-given voice in a moment of crisis. 

None of them had all the answers. None were fully equipped in human terms. But all of them lived lives of dignity because they lived with purpose. 

Purpose Is Where Dignity Is Found 

Real faith isn’t about ease. It’s about trust — especially when the outcome is uncertain. It’s in those moments when the job offer is unclear, when the ministry feels too big, when speaking up feels risky — that we uncover the beauty of who we truly are: people created for purpose, not for comfort. 

And in that purpose, we find our dignity. Not because of what we accomplish, but because of who we are becoming as we trust, follow, and step boldly into the unknown. 

The world tells us to seek comfort, security, and personal gain. But God calls us to seek Him — and in doing so, He invites us into a life of meaning and significance. 

It won’t always be easy. It won’t always make sense. But it will always be worth it. 

So if you feel that gentle, persistent tug on your heart — to start something, to move, to speak, to trust — even if it scares you, lean into it. That’s where your dignity lives. The great stories of faith were written by ordinary people who dared to say yes to extraordinary callings. 

And the same God who carried them through will carry you, too.