Chapel speaker encourages CBU students to think beyond themselves when searching for their purpose

Riverside, Calif. (March 17, 2017) – “Is your life going to matter?” Claude Hickman, executive director of The Traveling Team, asked students in chapel at California Baptist University on March 17. “I think that is a question that comes from within all human beings.” 

The Traveling Team is a ministry that aims to mobilize university students to live out the Great Commission.

It can be scary to figure out what to do in life, Hickman said. People can be given the wrong advice when searching for their purpose—it can be all about your dreams and your talents.  

“We probably know deep down that if it starts with us, it’s probably not the right person to start with,” Hickman said. “God is saying to you, ‘listen, trust me. There is something bigger than money, than fame or power, there’s something bigger that you can give your life to.’”

Hickman said the Bible indicates there is only one thing that lasts forever—people, and God says the main purpose in life comes from what He is doing to reach people.

Hickman said God is on a global mission to bring eternal salvation and offered Isaiah 49:6 as a reference, “I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

“What’s bigger in this world if it’s a global purpose and it’s an eternal purpose?” Hickman asked. “Find something bigger to give your life to.”

Hickman said there are billions of people who have not heard about Jesus, so there is still a job for believers to do.

“God loves the world. Is that a big enough reason to say, ‘I need to love the world too?’” Hickman said. “Here’s the choice you have to make. Are you going to live your life or are you going to live your purpose?”