A farmer sitting on his porch noticed a highway-department truck pull over on the shoulder of the road. A man got out, dug a sizable hole in the ditch, and then got back in the vehicle. A few minutes later, the other occupant of the truck got out, filled up the hole, and got back in the truck. Then they drove forward on the shoulder about 50 feet and repeated the same process…digging, waiting…refilling….tamping. After a half-dozen repetitions, the farmer sauntered over to them and asked, What are you fellas doin? We’re on a highway beautification project, the driver said, and the guy who plants the trees is home sick today.
Have you ever felt this way? As if your life had no real meaning…as if you were just digging holes for someone else to fill in? If you have you are not alone. This world is full of people who are asking this question, Is there anyway to find my purpose in life? Why am I here? What is the reason for my existence? These are questions we all ask.
“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” (Psalm 57:2 ESV)
Did you catch that? God has a purpose for our lives.
“ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
I think the reason the search for the purpose of life has been such a struggle is because we typically begin at the wrong starting point - ourselves. We ask self-centered questions like: What do I want to be? What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, and my dreams for my future?
We were created to bring God glory. Your life’s purpose begins with acknowledging God and keeping him at the right place in your life. God is to be at the center of who we are and all we do.
As we live for his glory and his purpose we get to experience his joy. This is the life we were meant to live. God gets the glory and we get the joy.
You were put on earth to make a contribution. You are not here to just consume resources - to eat, breath, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life.
Here is an interesting thought…God created you, He designed you…your appearance, your personality, your talents, gifting, abilities…and we so often we are not content. We want to be someone else. Especially in this day of social media. We easily compare ourselves with others. This always leads to dissatisfaction.
Listen to this verse…created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Everything we need to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives has been given to us. God has already wired you for how he wants to use you.
When you stand in your kitchen, you’re surrounded by appliances. A refrigerator, an oven, a stove, a microwave, a toaster, a coffee maker, and others. All of these appliances were uniquely designed by the manufacturer to fulfill a designated purpose. The refrigerator will not heat up our food, the oven won’t wash the dishes, and the toaster can’t make the coffee in the morning. That’s not what they were made to do.
If men can do that with machines—design them to fulfill a designated purpose—God can craft people for unique purposes that will bring Him glory, bring others good, and advance His kingdom.
So how can we find God’s purpose? Usually, it’s right in front of us, but we fail to see it. Consider these questions:
What good works are in front of you?
What opportunities has God given you?
What steps of faith is God asking you to take?
In whose life can you make a difference?
Who can you share Christ with?
Today’s Challenge: Never stop seeking God’s plans and purposes for your life. That’s right. Purposes - plural. Your purpose life’s purpose is not just one thing - it is a series of things. Wherever you are in life make sure it reflects Jesus.
