Purpose

CB004899 One of my jobs each week is getting the bulletin ready. It’s less of a program for the worship service and more like a newsletter. In trying to find something substantive for the back page, I ran across an email with a piece reprinted from Rick Warren. He quotes Habakkuk (which is one of my favorite little books) and makes the statement, “Even as you make a decision to follow the dream God places in your heart, you can expect a delay.”

When God does that, every bit of faith I mustered to take that step, to follow that dream, gets pitched right out the window. If God would tell me up front, “Now it’s going to take five years (or ten or twenty) before this all comes to pass,” I’d be all set. He never does that though. He expects me to trust Him. From beginning to end. Without constant reassurance.

I don’t have to be reassured that Jesus is really giving me eternity in heaven. I don’t have to be reminded that God is omnipotent. So what’s the difference? Me. That dream, that assignment began in God’s mind and is a part of His plan which cannot fail. However, I often fall into believing the success rests solely with me now. The pressure mounts to make it happen.

God never tells me I have to bring His plans to fruition. One reason for the delay is to make sure I understand that it isn’t about what I can do for God. It’s about seeing God’s purposes fulfilled, getting to be there when it happens.

The other thing I need to grasp- quoting Rick Warren again- “A delay is not a denial.” If things don’t fall in place after what I think is a reasonable time, I take that as a sign I’ve done something wrong, God is displeased, and I’m being benched. God has a timetable and His purposes will always be accomplished. Always. A promise is a promise.

If I trust God with my eternal soul… surely I can trust Him when it seems things aren’t working out the way I thought they were going to. It sounds so simple when I type it out. I’ll keep working on it.

God didn’t save us for nothing. He saved us for a purpose, a unique kingdom work that we alone can accomplish. If we don’t fulfill it, it doesn’t get done. (No pressure.) God doesn’t leave out there floundering, or spinning our wheels. He equips us for that purpose.

Jesus says in John 15:16 hours before his arrest, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

Here’s my paraphrase: I am specifically, individually chosen by Jesus Christ to fulfill a particular kingdom work of eternal significance, and the Father will supply whatever I need to accomplish that task.

This means I have worth. I have purpose and I cannot fail.

Two disclaimers- 1. I am not special. That verse applies to you as well. 2. My failure is not necessarily a ‘purpose’ failure.

How do you find your purpose? Ask God.

Now ask yourself some questions to bring His answer into sharper focus.

1. What Scriptures really touch your heart? Is there a common theme? A purpose could be in there somewhere.

2. What excites you? Makes you angry? Makes you cry? These are the things you’re passionate about. Purpose doesn’t come without passion.

3. Are you doing anything now that you can’t imagine NOT doing? If I had to give up writing… my sanity would be next to go.

I’ve said ‘a’ purpose more than once, but here’s where I weasel out of it. Our Purpose (with a capital P) is to be conformed to Christ. However, I believe God gives shorter term purposes (little p) that help us get there. Those purposes grow and change as we do. I don’t think writing was my purpose in college. I’m not really sure what it was. I’m pretty sure I missed out on it, though. These days I write all the time. I also teach at church and here at home.

Finally…

There are no BIG purposes and little purposes with God. They’re all equal.

This is not meant to cause stress. If you have peace about what you’re doing, you’re probably fulfilling what God intends. Restlessness and dissatisfaction may be a nudge in another direction.

207291_multi_purpose_knife God didn’t save us for nothing. He saved us for a purpose, a unique kingdom work that we alone can accomplish. God doesn’t leave out there floundering, or spinning our wheels. He equips us for that purpose.

Jesus says in John 15:16 hours before his arrest, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

This means I have worth. I have purpose and I cannot fail.

Two disclaimers- 1. I am not special. That verse applies to you as well. 2. My failure is not necessarily a ‘purpose’ failure.

How do you find your purpose? Ask God. You can ask yourself some questions to bring His answer into sharper focus.

1. What Scriptures really touch your heart? Is there a common theme? A purpose could be in there somewhere.

2. What excites you? Makes you angry? Makes you cry? These are the things you’re passionate about. Purpose doesn’t come without passion.

3. Are you doing anything now that you can’t imagine NOT doing? If I had to give up writing… my sanity would be next to go.

I’ve said ‘a’ purpose more than once, but here’s where I weasel out of it. Our Purpose (with a capital P) is to be conformed to Christ. However, I believe God gives shorter term purposes (little p) that help us get there. Those purposes grow and change as we do. For instance, I don’t think writing was my purpose in college. It’s hard to say what it was then. I’m pretty sure I missed out on it, though. But these days, I write all the time.

Finally…

There are no BIG purposes and little purposes with God. They’re all equal.

This is not meant to cause stress. If you have peace about what you’re doing, you’re probably fulfilling what God intends. Restlessness and dissatisfaction may be a nudge in another direction.

Waiting