The Purpose

Identity Found in God
​The Creator and The Creation
     ~ The Creator
      ~ The Creation
      ~ The Relationship
      ~ The Purpose
      ~ Living Fully as His Creation

The Purpose
 
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance to do.
 
Who knew the little baby who was placed in a basket in the great Nile River would be the very man who God created to lead the Israelites out of slavery, and who was the one God made to trust with the 10 commandments.  Just imagine the list of ‘good works’ that Moses did.  I am sure that as a Hebrew child raised by the Egyptians, Moses couldn’t even fathom the abundant good works God prepared in advance for him to do.
 
Little David – the youngen of the family.  The one who could fetch things for the others.  I wonder if he felt it inside of him?  Could he tell?  Did he anticipate the good works that God had prepared for him?  He seemed to have the love for God at his core, and seemed quite secure in who he was in God’s eyes.  I wonder if this trust and faith in God gave him a kick in his step as he went to face the giant?  Oh, the confidence he reflected as he stepped into the work God had prepared for him to do time and time again.
 
Young, innocent Mary.  A typical teenage Nazareth girl, preparing to be united with her man, Joseph.  She most likely couldn’t have imagined or predicted the work God had in mind for her to do.  But obediently, she stepped into it saying, “May it be to me as you have said.”  Luke 1:38
 
Scripture is packed full of accounts of real live people, God’s creations, like you and me, whose testimony reflects the good works God prepared in advance for them to do.  Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Isaac, Joseph, Ruth, Isaiah, Gideon, Paul Mary Magdalene, Timothy, John, Peter, oh the list goes on and on - what purpose they had.
 
Your name is on this list.  God has created YOU.  He’s made you with something in mind.  He has some good works for you to join Him in.  You are just as important to your maker as Moses or David or Mary.  He is still at work and still is in the business of working through His children.
 
Are you curious?  Are you like me and prefer having a plan of action?  A list to check off?  Do you want to know your purpose?  Wonder why God created you?  Generally speaking, there are several answers to that question.  What is the purpose of my life?  Rick Warren sums them up nicely in his book, “The Purpose Driven Life”:  Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry & Mission.  Some of the reasons we are created are to spend time with and praise our God and give Him glory, to commune with Him and with brothers and sisters, to learn more and more about Him, to spread the Gospel with others.  We are here to do these things that God has already put into motion. 
 
Sometimes we get a little confused with our earthly purpose.  We can be influenced to think that our purpose is to be successful in our families and in our jobs – to achieve the bigger and the better.  It feels as though there is a race to be involved - to be busy - the busier, the better.  Sometimes we may come close and voice that our purpose is simply to be kind and helpful and offer love to others.  But as we really settle in to the core of our purpose – our higher calling, as we resolve to seek the reason God created us as opposed to try and discover what culture wants of us, there is a great wave of satisfaction and fulfillment.  Lean into what it means that the God of all creation has specific tasks in mind for you.  Maybe instead of being infiltrated in commercials, tv, movies, social media, magazines, or other sources of distorted purpose, spend time getting ideas from God through prayer and reading His Word.  He will reveal His plans for you.  Go to Him looking and seeking His purpose in your precious life.
 
I challenge you to dig into this more.  Not necessarily try to predict the good works, but ask.  Ask God to reveal to you what He has in mind for you.  In each day, there is reason to wake up.  There are the broad purposes God has for you, and there are daily, monthly, seasonal purposes He is preparing. Know that you are here for a reason. You are God’s handi-work, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works that God has planned in advance for you to do.
 
Know that your Creator has a plan and a purpose for you.  Spend some time thinking about the value you have – that God created you for a purpose.  Write down “good works” God has in the past, and is currently planning for you.  What is He nudging you to explore with Him?  What are you involved in that may not necessarily be a "good work" He has for you in this season, but instead something maybe others want you to do?  Are there things you are labeling "good" that may need to be set aside so that you can fully engage with God in HIS good works?  Stay in step with Him and just breathe!