Written by Jason Webb
Discovering Your True Purpose: From Wall Drug to Jesus
Have you ever found yourself chasing something that seemed like a big deal at the time, only to realize later that it was just a distraction from what really mattered? It happens all the time. We set out with the best intentions, but somewhere along the way, we get sidetracked by the things that seem urgent or exciting, missing the bigger picture.
I took my kids on a cross-country camping trip to South Dakota several years ago. We were pumped—none of us had ever been there, and I couldn’t wait to see what it offered. But after crossing the state line, the excitement started to wane. For miles and miles, we saw endless prairie—no gas stations, fast food, Starbucks, just open land. It felt like we were headed to the middle of nowhere.
Then, a sign appeared: “Only 355 miles to Wall Drug.” Curious, we kept driving. Soon, another sign popped up: “Free Ice Water at Wall Drug.” Before long, we were bombarded with billboards: “Come see Wall Drug as seen in USA Today,” “Wall Drug: 5-Cent Coffee.” The more we drove, the more Wall Drug seemed to be the highlight of South Dakota. By the time we arrived, I had convinced myself that Wall Drug must be worth the hype.
When we finally pulled up to Wall Drug, it was precisely what the billboards promised: a sprawling, western-themed gift shop with anything you could want. Donuts, souvenirs, 5-cent coffee, and even a giant jackalope you could climb on for photos. It was fun—don’t get me wrong—but as we left, I realized something: if I had stopped there, I would have missed what South Dakota was really about.
South Dakota wasn’t about Wall Drug. It was about the awe-inspiring beauty of the Badlands, the iconic history of Mount Rushmore, the profound wonder of Wind Cave, and the stunning Black Hills. Wall Drug was a fun distraction but wasn’t the main attraction.
This road trip got me thinking about how we sometimes approach our relationship with Jesus. We settle for the “Wall Drug version of Jesus”—something small, familiar, and even helpful at times—but we miss the grandeur, awe, and wild beauty of who He really is. We take the surface-level version of faith without diving deeper into the transformative relationship He offers.
Moving Beyond the Shallow Version of Jesus
In Luke 5, we see this same idea play out in Peter’s life. Peter was a fisherman living day to day, trying to make ends meet. When Jesus shows up after a long, frustrating night of fishing, Peter is exhausted. He’s been out all night with no catch—nothing to show for his efforts. But Jesus tells Peter to cast his nets one more time.
Peter hesitates. He’s the fisherman, after all, and he knows that fish don’t bite during the day. But reluctantly, he agrees, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
What happens next is nothing short of miraculous. The nets fill up so quickly that Peter has to call for help. This is the catch of a lifetime—enough fish to secure financial stability, enough to change his career. But Peter’s reaction is one of awe and fear. He falls to Jesus’ knees and says, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
Peter realizes that he’s in the presence of someone far more significant than he imagined. But Jesus doesn’t stop with the miracle. He uses this moment to show Peter his life is about something much bigger than catching fish. Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
Peter’s life changed in that moment. He was no longer just living for survival, his next paycheck, or a successful career. Jesus gave him a new vision: people. And that’s the vision Jesus has for each of us.
What Are You Living For?
Let me ask you the same question Jesus posed to Peter: What are you living for? If you paused and took stock of your life, what would you say is your main focus? Is it your career? Financial security? Happiness? For many of us, it’s easy to get caught up in these things. They’re not inherently wrong, but they’re not the ultimate purpose of our lives.
Jesus is calling us to something far more significant—people. Our careers will eventually fade, our possessions will rust, and even our experiences will pass. But people—their souls—are eternal. Jesus invites us to wrap our lives around loving and serving people, pointing them to the hope in him.
Expanding Our Vision of Who Matters
The following story in Luke 5 pushes this even further. Jesus encounters a man covered with leprosy. In those days, leprosy wasn’t just a physical disease—it was a social and spiritual curse. Lepers were outcasts, forced to live outside of society. They had to shout “Unclean!” whenever someone came near, warning others to stay away.
But when this man comes to Jesus and falls at his feet, Jesus does something shocking—he touches him. With that single touch, Jesus heals not only his body but also his soul. He restores the man’s dignity, worth, and place in society.
This story challenges us to broaden our vision. It’s easy to focus on the people we like, the people we know, and those who are “clean.” But Jesus calls us to love the outcasts, the unwanted, the untouchable. He’s calling us to expand our reach and show his love to people who are often overlooked or rejected.
Going Where People Are
One of the boldest things about Jesus is that he didn’t wait for people to come to him—he went to them. He broke the rules of the religious leaders. He partied with tax collectors, touched lepers, and healed on the Sabbath. Jesus didn’t care about keeping up appearances or following traditions if it meant reaching people.
As his followers, we’re called to do the same. We won’t reach people by staying in our comfort zones. We need to go where they are, meet them in their mess, and show them the love of Jesus. It might make us uncomfortable, and it might even give us a reputation as “friends of sinners,” but isn’t that exactly who Jesus was?
Don’t Settle for the Wall Drug Version of Jesus
So, here’s the challenge: don’t settle for the Wall Drug version of Jesus. Don’t let your faith be limited to surface-level experiences or distractions. A more profound adventure is waiting, filled with purpose, love, and eternal impact.
Jesus is inviting you to something far more significant than you’ve imagined. Will you take the next step? Will you embrace the wild, awe-inspiring, life-changing Jesus and let that experience transform your life and those around you?
It’s all about people. It’s all about Jesus. Let’s dive deeper and discover his true adventure.
