January 17th – “Discovering Purpose”
“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
If you have never asked the question “what am I doing here” or “what’s my purpose” at some point in your life, chances are you will eventually. These existential questions can be prompted by the onset of hardships in addition to the overwhelming pressure to perform. While for some, the idea of purpose is intimately tied to talent, skills and passions, others just want to experience a life-changing epiphany. Whatever your persuasion, seeking the true answer will set you on a journey of discovery which will ultimately lead you to the Creator of your life- God.
Though God has always been the Owner of your life, the work of salvation makes us aware that God is the Designer as well (Psalm 100:3). The psalmist puts it like this “It is He who made us and we are His (Psalm 100:3)” When you were created, God predetermined how you should occupy your time on this earth. It is this truth that Paul explains to the church in Ephesus when he says “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). Rather than being disqualified on the basis of their sinful past, Paul reminds the Ephesians that they have been enabled to live purposefully in God through their restored relationship with Him.
Discovering your purpose requires you to discover God. Contrary to popular opinion purpose has little to do with what you feel, what you think or what you want to achieve. Nor is purpose dependent upon the presence of passion to manifest. Instead, purpose is concerned with what God said, and what God planned. God said that His purpose will stand (Isaiah 46:10). God planned that you would do good works (2Timothy 2:21). Moreover, it is HE who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose (Philippians 2:13). For this reason you can not live purposefully if you are not in right relationship with God. And you can not live purposefully when God is not at the centre. When you are submissive, obedient, sacrificial and given over to service, you meet the needs of others in fulfilling good works. All the gifts , talents and skills you possess exist to support the God-given call on your life to serve. When you make it about God you use what God has given you to live for His glory. Additionally He protects your purpose despite the challenges you may face along the way. So be encouraged, take the pressure off, and stop trying to do it alone. When you do get caught up thinking it’s all about you, be reminded that it has always been about Him. We often confuse who we are with what we do. But, when you discover God, you discover you.
Reflect: Where do I need to align myself in purpose?
Prayer: Father, I thank You for restoring me into right relationship with You and into a life of purpose. God I pray that with this new life You have given me, I will serve others so that they would see my good works and glorify You. Lord I know apart from You, I can do nothing. So when I am tempted to get ahead of myself, I ask that You would remind me that I was created for Your glory and not my own. When I feel unworthy and overwhelmed may I be reminded that it is You who work in me to will and to act according to Your good purpose. I love You Lord and will continue to worship You with my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Written by Deborah Nimoh
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