Stay Connected-signup for our newsletter-https://www.livefaithfirst.org/contact

Have you ever wondered what God actually wants you to do with your life?

Many of us wish we could see the full roadmap ahead—career, relationships, calling, and purpose all clearly mapped out. But life rarely works that way. Instead, we move forward step-by-step, learning to trust God in the uncertainty.

In this episode of the Live Faith First Podcast, Elliot Sands sits down with Eric Bryant, pastor, leader, and author of Fruitful: Becoming Who God Created You to Be. Eric shares insights from his own journey of discerning God’s direction through unexpected twists—including a season where pursuing a doctoral degree ended with back surgery and a life-altering shift in perspective.

Together they explore how we discover our calling, how God develops us through adversity, and what it means to live a truly fruitful life. Eric introduces a practical framework for discerning how God has uniquely wired each of us—so we can align our passions, gifts, and opportunities with His purposes.

If you’ve ever asked the question “What does God want me to do with my life?”, this conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical steps for moving forward in faith.

In This Episode

• Why God rarely gives us the full blueprint for our lives

• Eric’s surprising story of a doctoral program that ended in surgery

• The difference between success and spiritual fruitfulness

• How to discern God’s direction in uncertain seasons

• Discovering the intersection of your gifts, passions, and opportunities

• Why adversity often clarifies our calling

• The practical pathway toward becoming who God created you to be

Eric Bryant is a pastor, author, and leadership coach passionate about helping people discover and live out their God-given purpose. He currently serves at Gateway Church in Austin, Texas, and previously helped lead ministries at Mosaic in Los Angeles, one of the most influential missional churches in the U.S.

Eric is the author of several books including Fruitful: Becoming Who God Created You to Be, where he explores how people can discover their unique calling by aligning their spiritual gifts, passions, and life experiences with God’s purposes. Through his teaching, writing, and leadership coaching, Eric equips individuals and churches to pursue lives marked not just by activity or achievement—but by genuine spiritual fruitfulness.

Eric and his family live in Austin, Texas.

Elliot Sands is the host of the Live Faith First podcast—a dynamic space where faith meets real-world challenges. With a rich background as a pastor, school principal, health-tech co-founder, and now Executive Director of Faith First, Elliot brings deep wisdom and practical insight to every conversation. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he weaves personal experience with thoughtful discussion, tackling tough topics with clarity and compassion. Live Faith First is all about bridging divides—whether in society or the church—encouraging listeners to step beyond echo chambers and build real, meaningful relationships across the aisle, the street, or the table.

Connect with Eric Bryant

Website: Eric Bryant

Gateway Church Austin: Gateway Church

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericbryant

Twitter/X: ericbryant (@ericbryant) / Posts / X

Connect with Live Faith First

Website: ⁠LiveFaithFirst.com

⁠Instagram:⁠ @LiveFaithFirst⁠

TikTok:⁠ @livefaithfirst⁠

Facebook:⁠ facebook.com/LiveFaithFirst

YouTube: youtube.com/@livefaithfirst