“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11, ESV).
One of the best selling book of all time is “The purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren formerly Senior Pastor of the 30,000 member US based Saddleback Church. The book which has sold over 50 million copies and translated into all major languages starts with the question, “Why am I here on earth for?”
Warren goes on to clarify that we were created for God’s pleasure; formed for God’s family; created to become like Christ; shaped to serve God and, made for a mission. It is an interesting book that has changed many lives, helping to focus them for something greater and fulfilling, beyond the mere ordinary.
If there is a life we can appreciate that had purpose was that of the Lord Jesus Christ. Compared to the average life span of 70 years the 33 years of Christ pale, yet in terms of impact, they outscore almost any. Because He knew His purpose was for God’s pleasure Christ started his days by talking to God ( Mark 1:35). Empowered, he would spread out in his vocation of preaching and teaching God’s word.
One of the defining aspect of someone who has found their purpose is priority. Because he was aware of his priority in life, Christ knew where to focus his time. Like any place there were distractions that He could have easily drifted into, of whatever nature, but that was not the case, as He prioritized what he was up to.
Today, you may start by asking yourself, “Why am I here on earth for?” Psalm 139:13-14, says: “ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. And Jeremiah 1:5, says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” Once the truth dawns on you that you are not an ordinary creation merely passing by, then find your purpose and priorities your choices as Christ did.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that knowing the purpose of my life was to please and serve you, so help me prioritize my way of life, so as to be most effective in serving you, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
Related upcoming events
-
06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
