How do I find my life’s purpose?

How do I find my life’s purpose? What is God’s will for my life? For my work? How do I find my calling?

Gordon Smith notes “our unique calling will be based on our gifts and abilities, will grow out of our deepest desires, and will always involve some response to the needs of the world.”(Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential, pp. 33-35). Frederick Buechner (Listening to Your Life, p. 186) states: “the place God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” David Benner writes, “We are all called to Christ-following and loving service of God and neighbor. But the specific call that is rooted in your unique identity, gifts and personality will be found as you come to know both God and self in Christian community” (David Benner, The Gift of Being Yourself) [p. 89].