Most of us live our life with a drifting commitment to our purpose in life, i.e. Mom and Dad, school, job, wife family, self. These are not bad but God says He has a purpose for us in our lives. Most of us do not figure that out and align our life with God. This is a study we all need to go through for our life’s journey.
1 Chronicles 12:32 And from the sons of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred. And all their brothers were at their command.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Eph_1:11 in whom also we have been chosen to an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will,
Joh 17:4 I have glorified You upon the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do-Jesus declaration that He knew God’s purpose for Him.
A key need we all have in our life is finding what our purpose for being here is. There is a booklet on Establishing your Purpose that you can get from MIMbooks.com.
*Like it or not our life is adding up to something. We all need to know what we want our life to add up to and why am I investing my life in a certain way. Remember, you have a choice, either you invest your life or you spend it.
I was very committed to IBM in my youth. They were glad to give me a purpose and other rewards. I eventually realized, that what they liked was my youth and energy. But the truth was that since I wasn’t that great of “businessman” that they would get tired of me and squeeze me out eventually.
The place to look for purpose is not companies, government, families, hobbies, clubs, churches, etc. These are only functions you are participating in while you pursue your purpose. The only one who can determine your purpose is God. Let me make three observations about God and His purpose.
- God not only has a reason for your trip here on earth but also plans to reward you for your effort.
1Co 3:12 And if anyone builds on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble,
1Co 3:13 each one’s work shall be revealed. For the Day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try each one’s work as to what kind it is.
1Co 3:14 If anyone’s work which he built remains, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If anyone’s work shall be burned up, he shall suffer loss. But he shall be saved, yet so as by fire.
*God has a reward for us, a payout, if we live out his purpose in our life.
I am always surprised to hear the questions people ask on this verse. They ask what is gold, silver and precious stone. Isn’t it being about the father’s work. This was Jesus purpose and maybe it should be ours also.
- All of God’s plan for you is summed up in
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.God is interested in us investing in the eternal and the eternal is people and the word of God and bringing glory to Himself. We can let our light so shine before men by God’s two callings to us in interpersonal relations- Evangelize
- Edify
- Also, a person can finish strong if they stay involved in God’s purpose for us to the end and storing up treasures and looking forward to the judgement.
Now pursue the callings of your life. In your role as child, student, spouse, employee, employer, elderly citizen is the arena in which your purpose is played out. Your purpose is to live out life where God has you pursuing His callings.
Questions for your study on purpose
- Do I see myself as pursuing God and His glory for Gold Silver, Precious Stone?
- What is my giftedness?
- Where does God have me and how can I play a part to God’s plan?
- What are my weaknesses? And strengths?
- Did Jesus see himself as a man with a purpose? If so what were they?
- The next step for me is…?
