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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