Why Am I here?

According to the Bible, the primary purpose of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. We are called to love him, reflect his image and character, and fulfill his will for our lives. But how do we discern what that will is?

I don’t know precisely why you’re here, but God does. By empowering you to listen to Jesus and obey his teaching, this book will help you discover your place in the world and the purposes for which God uniquely created you.

In my experience, God reveals just enough for us to see the next few steps of the path he is leading us on. As we walk with him in faith—asking, listening, and obeying—he reveals more. Over time, that path narrows, clarifies, and ultimately leads to the discovery of your purpose. As you journey, trust that God can use everything he has allowed in your life for his glory.

Who is “Listening to Jesus - Foundations” Designed For?

Listening to Jesus Foundations is designed to prepare you for a lifetime of discipleship by helping you hear and respond to Jesus’ specific call on your life. It precedes the Listening to Jesus three-book series and was born from my personal pursuit of God—through which I’ve discovered that Jesus has far more in store for his followers than I had ever imagined.

In these pages, you’ll explore what Scripture reveals about life as God designed it—in intimate relationship with him. You’ll learn how to hear your Creator speak through his Word and the unfolding circumstances of your life. As you develop these skills, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of why you are here and what God made you to do.

How To Get the Most Out of Foundations

The book includes twelve themed weeks, each containing daily meditations. Every day, except the seventh, features:

A Bible reading
A short commentary
Reflection questions

Each day ends with the same three reflection questions that I hope you’ll continue to ask for the rest of your life. The questions are designed to help you process what God is doing in your life as your days, circumstances, and seasons shift.

The Three Daily Questions

1. Lord, what are you teaching me in today’s reading?

Reflect on the Scripture for the day. Listen attentively—let Jesus speak through any thoughts or impressions that come to mind. Ask how his teaching applies to your current life circumstances. Write down what you sense he is saying. If something requires immediate action or ongoing commitment, note it in your answer to the third question.

2. Lord, what else have you said to me through thoughts, circumstances, conversations, emotions, or the work of the enemy?

Replay the last 24 hours (or past few days). Ask Jesus to reveal anything he wants you to notice or understand. Pay attention to what might be a divine disruption—something unusual that breaks your routine. These interruptions can carry profound insight or guidance. If something is unclear, write it down anyway. Clarity often comes later.

3. Lord, what do you want me to do—at home, at work, and in ministry?

Scripture is filled with examples of God giving practical direction. Expect him to do the same for you. Record anything specific he is prompting you to do, which then serves as your spiritual to-do list for the day. Everything on it should reflect what God is asking of you.

A Lifelong Discipline

The answers to the three daily questions will always be different because Jesus is actively speaking into your life. The goal of this process is to help you learn to hear his prophetic voice—the intimate, personal words he wants to share as you walk with and abide in him.

This simple daily practice has kept me attuned to God’s purposes—past, present, and future—and helped me partner with him more fully.

Weekly Review (Day 7)

Each week concludes with a time of reflection on the prior day as well as the prior week. Use that day to evaluate what God has taught you throughout the week and how you’ve responded to him using the questions under the seven categories of Jesus’ teaching.

Through this process of daily and weekly intimacy with God, you can discover his unique will for your life and walk in the good works he prepared in advance for you (Ephesians 2:10).

The Power of Journaling

While completing the reading, we suggest you keep a dedicated journal. You’ll revisit Jesus’ teachings repeatedly, so having space to capture his ongoing revelations will be invaluable.

Writing down what you hear Jesus say can also help you:

Hear more clearly: Many find that as they participate in the tactile experience

of writing, new thoughts from the Holy Spirit arise.

Remember more fully: The mind often forgets what the Spirit reveals.

Capture your journey: Over time, your journal becomes a personal history of God’s work in your life—something that can encourage you in dark seasons or even inspire others.

Opening Reflections

At the start of each weekly section, you’ll find a unique exercise designed to help you discern and respond to what God is specifically calling you to do. These reflections are more than just thoughtful prompts—they’re designed to inspire you to take action. For the most impact, engage with each exercise during the week it appears. Some will align closely with the week's theme, while others may preview ideas explored in later weeks. Each reflection is crafted to help you take meaningful steps on your journey of listening, obeying, and walking with Jesus.

"The realization that God is active in all that happens at every moment is the deepest knowledge we can have in this life of the things of God."

-Pierre de Caussade

Introduction to Foundations