What is My Purpose?
I believe that is a question that God expects us to ask and answer. I have some friends who have spent their life driven to reach certain goals that they believe God has called them to. I also know some folk that seem to drift through life as a cork on a lake, never really imagining that the Lord has called them to anything more than getting from birth to death as easily as possible.
I think it is fair that we should ask ourselves, what is my purpose here on this planet we call earth? If you are a born-again child of God, do you have a purpose other than taking up space and recycling air? In those days when I am beating myself up for some reason, I claim my best claim to fame is to be a bad example. i.e., A mother saying to her son, “You don’t want to grow up to be like Mr. Crawford…do you!?!” At which point the child, realizing the gravity of their actions, apologizes to his mother and promises never, ever, to act like that again.
Assuming for a minute that God has some other purpose for my life, the question would be, what is it? I guess if I had to pin down a direction for where I am headed with this blog, at least initially, would be to answer that question—what is my purpose and how do I live it out in this life today?
I think a good place to start is with the greatest commandment. You remember when Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment in all the Scriptures? He said we are to love the Lord our God with our Alls.
Mark 12:28-31 KJV And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all (29) And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: (30) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (31) And the second is like, namely this, + shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
If we love Him with each of the alls, there is not much of our life uncovered by that imperative. In fact, I am not sure what would be left. If I commit to giving Him my heart, soul, mind and strength, there is nothing left for me. My heart will be towards Him, not my possessions. My mind will be towards Him, not what I want for me. My soul will be grounded in Him. My strength, my force, my output, will be focused on Him.
One of my favorite verses, because it convicts me, not because I always live it is:
1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
And another:
Colossians 3:17 KJV And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
The key word there is “whatsoever.” Whatsoever you do, do it in God’s name. Whatsoever you do, do for His glory.
Matthew Poole, a 19th century theologian said:
And whatsoever ye do: here the apostle gives a universal direction how in every capacity, both personal and relative, in every motion, a Christian may do all so as to find acceptance with God. In word or deed; and that is in his expressions and actings, viz. comprehending his internal as well as external operations; his reasonings and resolutions within, as well as his motions without; the thoughts of his heart, as well as the words of his tongue and the works of his hand; to take care as much as possible that all be in the name of the Lord Jesus: elsewhere writing the same thing, the apostle adds Christ, That is loving Him with our Alls. Not just loving Him for a little on Sunday morning as we watch an online service in our pajamas. Not just loving Him in person at church. Not just loving Him in our devotions or when we get a raise at work. But loving Him, serving Him, glorifying Him with our Alls – all of me all of the time. All of you, all of the time. 1
So, the questions are:
- Is this true? In my very first blog have I totally misrepresented Scripture?
- If it is true, is it doable?
- If it is doable, do you, do I, do it?
Do you live by the words of I Corinthians, “whether you eat or drink” two of the very most basics of daily life, do you take the time to think, is this for God’s glory? Or mine?
Do you live by the words of Colossians and do “all (another “all” word) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?”
Last question. If we don’t live by those two verses, can we say that we love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength? If we don’t live by those two verses, are not we loving our self more than Him?
I would love to hear from you. I would love for you and me to grow to be more like our Blessed Savior together.
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