A Life of Purpose
28 May 2015
So what's our purpose in focusing on purpose?
Isn't life supposed to be deconstructed and isn't it beneficial to just go with the flow? Some feel life is just a fleeting spark that comes and goes. For others, it's a never ending party. For most of us, we want our lives to be filled with purpose and meaning.
A study found that people with a sense of purpose lived longer. Whether they were young or old, or whether they had simple or grand dreams, having a purpose helped them more effectively fight off stress and sicknesses such as heart disease.
Since the 12th century, the French word porpos meant "intention, aim" and the porposer meant "to put forth".
We know we have a purpose, a mission, but where did we get that? We were given a purpose by the One who created us! He has a master plan for our lives that includes blessing and goodness.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,’ declared the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).
His purposes for us are the very best! "God's will is “good, pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
Everything happens for a reason and even when it doesn't seem like it, God works to give us fullness of life.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
God wants us to work hand in hand with Him to complete His purpose in us.
"For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)
We may not know it but we actually desire what God desires for us. Fulfilling His purpose is going to fulfill ours!
"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith." (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
We may not know it but we actually desire what God desires for us. Fulfilling His purpose is going to fulfill ours!
"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith." (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
How do we know what is our purpose?
Pray. Listen. Obey.
A poor monk habitually prayed and one day he hears a voice seemingly from an old wooden cross, "Rebuild my Church".
He listened. He then obeyed. He build up a small church with his bare hands starting to put brick after brick, one on top of the other.
Today in Assisi, Italy, you can still see the quaint little church that Saint Francis built and how God called him to eventually rebuild the whole Church through his life of selflessness and simplicity.
A life of purpose for selfish gain will only end up in dissatisfaction but a life that is lived according to God's purposes for our lives will bring us to lasting peace and joy that this world can never give us.
A life of purpose for selfish gain will only end up in dissatisfaction but a life that is lived according to God's purposes for our lives will bring us to lasting peace and joy that this world can never give us.
We may think it will take us years before we can hear God speak to us about our purpose but know that God wants to tell us what our purpose is!
"...God rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6
So let's go and pray, listen and obey! May each of us find our true purpose!
RECOMMENDED READING:
A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
How Do I Find My God-given Purpose? by Gillis Triplett
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