Trusting God's Purpose

 

Early in childhood little boys and girls begin to say what they want to be when they grow up. Adolescent children verging on adulthood tend to examine more realistic career choices that will provide meaning and purpose to their lives. Some individuals choose a career that reflects God’s blessings as well as his special calling.

It’s possible to give in to the temptation of taking the path of least resistance, which requires minimal effort, instead of striving to be the very best God intended. Discovering what gives meaning and purpose to life is usually revealed through difficult challenges and a strong commitment to serve Christ Jesus.

It's important to believe God has a purpose for your life. Being committed to discovering God’s purpose ensures you will find it. Isaiah 26:3 gives this promise, "You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm because they trust you." You were created for a special purpose, so take delight in that knowledge.                     

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After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because this is all that we were created for.

~Ecclesiastes 12:13 Good News Bible

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Choosing a Meaningful Existence

What would you say is the most important discovery you’ve made about your life, including where you are today? That may not be an easy question to sort out. No one would choose a meaningless existence, for  each of us is designed to search for what makes life worth living.

God's purpose for each of us is to benefit personally from our gifts and talents, but also to look beyond our personal needs and wants to see how we can contribute to the wellbeing of others.  We as God's people can expand our vision of what is possible outside our personal needs, or else the tendency to be narrowly focused takes control.

As you commit your life, your gifts and talents to the Lord Jesus Christ, he will bless them for your benefit and his purposes. This definitely builds a bridge to a life that counts for something special, both presently here on earth and for all eternity. This is a wonderful discovery if we choose to be God’s person and love him with our complete being.       

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God has made us what we are, created in Christ Jesus to do those good deeds which he planned for us to do.

~Ephesians 2:10 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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A Self-awakening to God's Purpose

To know your life counts for something special produces feelings of incomparable joy. It’s so easy to get lost in self-centeredness. However, God is patient and waits for us to accept that a more important purpose for living exists. Then we can focus on building a bridge toward a purpose and destiny with eternal value. 

Essential to this self-awakening is the belief that God has a purpose for you. When Abraham Lincoln gave his second inaugural address March of 1865, he spoke to a wounded and divided nation in need of healing. He wanted the nation to accept that Almighty God has his purpose in every turn of history.

The Civil War’s purpose was beyond ending slavery. The nation needed a new identity under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for everyone. Our task is to discover God’s purpose for us. To do so gives vitality and reason to become the person God intended. It builds energy  for accepting God’s purpose for you.                          

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Great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.  

~Jeremiah 32:18-19 New International Version

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A Definable Purpose for Living

It's absolutely imperative for each person to believe they have a clear, definable purpose for living. I'm not implying that there’s a noble destiny for you like God said to Pharaoh of Egypt through Moses: "I have raised you up for this purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Still God has a purpose for everyone regardless of race or social standing, and that purpose will be revealed to you. Baruch Spinoza stated it clearly, "The knowledge and love of God is the ultimate aim from which all our actions should be directed." It is wise for this aim to be ranked first place on your agenda.

What we start out to be in life may get altered by events beyond our control. Looking back, can we see God was shaping our destiny for a good purpose? All of life takes us to a crossroads where we’re permitted to choose God's purpose and plan for us. What a blessing to know your destiny is in his hands! 

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For you have been chosen by God himself – you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own – all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

~1 Peter 2:9 The Living Bible

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Destiny Equals Purpose

As a prospective patient, I was being interviewed by a hospital technician taking me through the initial steps prior to being diagnosed. Our conversation moved to an interesting story as we waited for the doctor to arrive. His story revealed the transitions his life had taken on the way to becoming a medical technician.

An interesting part of the conversation included what he understood to be his purpose for being here on earth. Seldom are we privileged to share another’s thoughts of their  personal reason for living. Yet it was an honor to observe that coming to terms with his destiny had given him a sense of eagerness for greeting each new day.

Destiny is often associated with a choice for a career. Jesus was a carpenter, but his destiny and purpose was to be the Messiah for all mankind. Have you seriously thought about your purpose for living? Jesus said, “I have come to seek and save the lost.” A godly purpose for living is permitting yourself to be found and saved by Jesus.  

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Jesus said, “Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”  

~Matthew 28:19-20 Good News Bible

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Deception Versus Integrity

The potential for deception is entrenched into our character and seems to be present from early childhood. Deception, in whatever forms it takes, builds a bridge to broken trust and broken hearts. Psalm 62:4 defines it. "They delight in telling lies, speaking pleasant words with their mouth but cursing with their heart." 

The biblical word for heart refers to integrity and character, how people think and feel. Here the heart is the seat of all behavior, both good and evil. Listen to Proverbs 4:23-24: “Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Refrain from deception in any form; keep corrupt talk from your lips.”

Words can steal joy and peace when used as a weapon. However, words build a bridge to love and trust, hope and goodness, and can heal the sick in spirit and soul. Kind words are able to restore a troubled relationship by closing the gap of alienation. Ask God to bless you with a clean heart.                            

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A good man produces good deeds from a good heart. And an evil man produces evil deeds from his hidden wickedness. Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech.

~Luke 6:45 The Living Bible

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The Power of Words

Every word spoken has an obvious motive which may or not be apparent to the speaker or the listener. Sir Walter Scott in his poem, “The Lord of the Isles,” noted: “Many an arrow at random sent, finds a mark the Archer little meant, and a word at random spoken, may soothe or wound a heart that's broken.”

The message in a poem I learned as a child couldn't be more fake. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” We heal from physical injuries, but words wound the heart and soul for a lifetime because they cannot be forgotten.

Destructive words can sever the link to what is good and noble within you while creating a barrier to the Lord God. Remember, you can change the way you speak by changing what's in your heart. Confess to the Lord Jesus Christ what’s sinful and detrimental in your heart so he can cleanse and forgive you.        

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The eyes of the Lord are in every place, observing both the evil and the good. A gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters the spirit.

~Proverbs 15:3-4 International Standard Version

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Build a Bridge to a Clear Conscience

It's difficult to comprehend the influence that our language and behaviors ultimately have on others and ourselves. To accept that every word spoken has some lasting positive or negative affect is an awesome responsibility to shoulder. Is it correct to say we haven’t given much time to reflect on this truth?

Listen to the words of Jesus from Matthew 12: “For out of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, while the evil man brings out the evil stored up in him. But I tell you this: you will give an account on the Day of Judgement for every careless, thoughtless word you have spoken."

Here’s the Good News. You store up good in your heart by permitting Jesus to transform you into a person with a clean heart. This builds a bridge to a clear conscience for standing before God, whom you will face in eternity. What better objective is there than the desire to possess a clean heart?       

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The goal of this instruction is love that flows from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith.

~1 Timothy 1:5 International Standard Version

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Setting a New Course for Life

It’s within human nature to desire good things, to reap the rewards of one's labor, to enjoy a growing family and to be happy sharing the love of a faithful husband or wife. Yet sustained happiness is beyond grasping, for there’s no way to control everything life presents. We’re imperfect, so we make choices that result in suffering or unhappiness.

It's critically important to prevent getting entrapped in the consequences of careless choices. Instead, be resolved to make amends, for hurtful words and behaviors can set a new course for your life. To personally experience God's mercy and grace is the best motive to correct what is not working in life.

Listen to Reinhold Niebuhr’s serenity prayer for all people: "God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other." This is a wonderful prayer and motive for celebrating life.    

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Then the one sitting on the throne said: I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted.

~Revelation 21:5 Contemporary English Version

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Making Changes with Confidence

Changes should be made with confidence so they will benefit all involved. To renege on a commitment diminishes trust while producing shame and guilt. Before committing to a change, clearly understand your motive and purpose. If your motive is to alleviate suffering to yourself and others, your resolve has a good chance for achieving success.

Underlying every decision to seek change is an obtrusive or secret motive. Each is significant, so determine your primary purpose for what you want to accomplish. Most changes are made to relieve stress as well as a desire to be happier or, hopefully, to secure a healthier life.

As a Christian, your purpose should be to please Christ Jesus with all you are, with everything you say and with all you do. Listen to Proverbs 20:5. “Knowing what is right, is like deep water in the heart, so a wise person draws from the well within.” Discovering God’s wonderful purpose for you ensures peace and contentment.

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 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us by the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

~Titus 3:4-5 New International Version

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Enacting Productive Change

Being resolute to enact serious changes is required as we realize more than a makeover is needed to fix bad choices. A college freshman spent the fall semester celebrating life away from home but then had to learn the meaning of academic probation. Developing explicit study habits and attending class saved his college career.

Most people enact specific values to live by while others use vague guidelines to determine their conduct. Values help each person stay focused. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will guide your path” is a commitment of loyalty and faithfulness.

Frances Scott Key penned these words as our nation faced a pivotal transformation: “Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto – 'In God Is Our Trust.'" So change can be enacted as we apply "In God We Trust" irrefutably to our lives. May this give you strength and hope.                             

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Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust him and not be afraid, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.

~Isaiah 12:2 Christian Standard Bible

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God's Warning Signs

What is the most important change you need to make today in your life to ease some of the stress? What areas of your life would be affected by that change? The Lord God is faithful to warn his people of the dangers of sin and going astray, just as parents will warn their children if they are going down a road that leads to danger. 

In Genesis 6 God warned Noah a great flood would cover all the earth and told him exactly how to prepare so he and his family would be saved. As Noah built God’s ark to specifications, a multitude of observers had to be curious enough to inquire about the purpose of this unusual structure. Apparently, no one listened.

It takes self-discipline to change behaviors, but the consequences for disregarding warning signs can be extremely painful.God's warning signs are given to encourage you to take corrective action. Resolving to pay attention and enact changes confirms you’ve listened in a way that will be blessed by God.            

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God looked at the world and saw that it was evil, for the people were all living evil lives.

~Genesis 6:12 Good News Bible

 

Sin pays its servants: the wage is death. But God gives to those who serve him: his free gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

~Romans 6:23 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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An Effective Strategy for Change

Determining to make significant changes can be impulsive, with little consideration given for what’s required to make change successful. Changing behaviors or thought patterns demands concentration as well as an effective strategy. People know when their life is out of balance and headed for trouble.

The Hollywood director John Huston knew his tobacco addiction would culminate in emphysema and eventually the inability to do the work he loved. Yet he refused to stop smoking, believing that pleasure now is worth the pain and suffering to be experienced later. Toward the end of his life, an oxygen tank and a wheelchair became his constant companions.

Resolving to change can be painful and inconvenient but will build a bridge to a better life. Listen carefully to the warning signals conveyed to you from God himself. “Be still and quiet and know He is God Almighty and personally loves you.” The Holy Spirit is always at work to help you know and do what is best.        

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Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy.

~Ephesians 4:23-24 Contemporary English Version

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