LIFE’S JOURNEY WITH A PURPOSE
It All Starts With God
By Glenda Ward
McDowell County
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His Will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
Ephesians 1:3-6
It is in Christ Jesus that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone who knows Him. It is In Jesus Christ “in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His Will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him” (Ephesians 1:7-10).
Thinking about our purpose in life; that being our spiritual journey, a principle of purpose-driven living that each of us can reflect on. God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for His children. He wants us to be new people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey Him. Reflect on what Paul is saying in 2 Timothy 2:7, “and the Lord give thee understanding into all things.” We are to take time and reflect on and seriously consider what we read in scripture. Take time to think about the implications for your life. The Bible says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, Will of God” (Romans 12:2). Don’t just read, Interact with what you read. Underline it. Write your own thoughts in a journal making it your book. Personalize it! React to what you read, don’t just read.
- Point to Practice = Romans 12:2
- Verses to Remember = the most important habit you can begin is to copy verses onto small cards to carry with you and reflect on them when you have a free minute.
- Questions = write down questions about what you have read and discuss with others what you read.
- Spiritual growth = is never isolated. It is produced through relationships and community with other believers. Allow the Scripture to speak for itself.
A life devoted to things in this world is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree. (Paraphrased from Proverbs 11:28).
It all starts with God. It is not about us. God’s purpose in our life is far greater than our own personal fulfillment, our peace of mind, or even our happiness. If you want to know why you were placed on this earth, you must begin with God. You cannot arrive at your life’s purpose by starting with a focus on yourself. We must begin with God, our creator. We were born by His purpose and for His purpose. Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose. Our attention to God and focusing on His Word leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. We were made by God and for God – and until we understand that, life will never make sense. (Reference Colossians 1:16).
Question: Despite all the advertising around us, how can we remind ourselves that life is really about living for God, not ourselves?
What is the meaning of life and the purpose of life? It is a revelation. We can turn to what God has revealed about life through His Word. The easiest way to discover the purpose for our life is to ask the creator: Ask God. Real discipleship implies real commitment – pledging our whole existence to His service. If we try to save our physical life from death, pain, or discomfort, we may risk losing our true eternal life. If we protect ourselves from the pain God calls us to suffer, we begin to die spiritually and emotionally. We lose our intended purpose. When we give our lives in service to Christ, we discover the real purpose of living. When we don’t know Christ, we make choices as though this life were all we have. But in reality, this life is just the introduction into eternity. How we live this brief span of life, determines our eternal state. Evaluate all that happens from an eternal perspective, and you will find your values and decisions changing. (Reference Matthew 16:25-26).
The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what He does for us. The key to an honest and accurate evaluation is knowing the basis of our self-worth – our identity in Christ. In Him, we are valuable and capable of worthy service. Don’t miss your true value in God’s eyes. (Paraphrase of Romans 12:3). Nothing matters more than knowing God’s purposes for your life, and nothing can compensate for not knowing them.
Benefits of Purpose-Driven Living
- Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life.
- Knowing your purpose simplifies your life.
- Knowing your purpose focuses your life.
- Knowing your purpose motivates your life.
- Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity.
You weren’t put on earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity.
Living in purpose is the path to peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (Isaiah 26:3).
Each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God…. Each of us will have to give a personal account to God for the choices we make.
Something to Think About
God may ask:
- What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ? The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus Christ did for you, and did you learn to love and trust Him?
- What did you do with the gifts I gave you? Read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:15-30.
The first question will determine where you spend eternity. The second question may determine what you do in eternity. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). This life is in preparation for the next. Sadly, many people will have to endure eternity without God because they chose to live without Him here on earth.
To God Be The Glory!
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Glenda Ward is a member of Grand View Baptist Church in McDowell County. She is the mother of five grown children. Glenda is a Christian writer/author of “Something to Think About” – weekly Christian Articles. She writes Church Programs & Bulletins, VBS Material, Christmas and Easter Programs; all material based on the KJV of the Bible. Also testing the field in tributes, individual memorial writings, etc. You can read more good Christian news from Glenda HERE.
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