Living a life of purpose

2 Peter 1: ¹³ I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, ¹⁴ because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

¹⁵ And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

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With new tie in hand I proceeded to the door. The exits all looked the same because in my haste to purchase a replacement for my forgotten tie I failed to note which way I had entered. That was only the beginning of the problem. I walked out and could not find my rental car because I didn’t remember what kind of car it was nor the color. Yes the information was on the key.

After finally finding my car I returned to the hotel. When I woke the next day I could not remember what city I was in. I had travelled too much. I sat on the side of my bed and asked myself, “is this my purpose in life?”

·         When I am overwhelmed I may not be living my life purpose.

·         When I am feeling absolutely miserable I may not be living my life purpose.

·         When I am restless and want something new I may not be living my life purpose.

I made work my purpose for living and quite honestly it only got me more work. Okay, I did get more money and accolades but they soon faded and I wondered “is this it?” BUT GOD has another purpose for me.

·         GOD says remind people about what I have already written on their heart.

·         GOD says make disciples to follow ME instead of following buildings or people.

·         GOD says love those who are difficult to love while loving your family and friends.

Leaving a legacy is nice but leaving people with ways to stop rejecting GOD is better. I used to think there were humans who just had not heard of CHRIST and needed me to tell them, now I believe GOD has written HIS word on every heart and it’s up to each not to reject HIM. I serve as a reminder to follow what they already know.

·         Do you have purpose?

·         Are you living your life’s purpose out?

·         Do you realize GOD has given you talents that only you possess?

·         Can you understand “your presence” can affect the situation?

Giving “it” to GOD requires open hands.

Luke 17: ³³ Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.

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Getting my way is something I have strived for over a number of years. A desire pops in my head and I get stuck on its merits, dreaming of better days if I got “that” thing. Sometimes achieving my desire isn’t all that it is cracked up to be.

• Upon achieving my goal of becoming the highest title in my industry I found schemes, hatred and pressure.
• When I made lots and lots of money I introduced to myself lots and lots of worries.
• The moment I got what I wanted, I suddenly had no time for GOD.

There is nothing wrong with hard work or achieving a title but I was trying to “become” the title instead of the title “becoming part of me.” My first and foremost service is supposed to be for GOD so I should point my desires in HIS direction.

• When I achieve my title I should ask GOD “what does HE want to do with it?”
• When I gain wealth I should ask GOD first “who do YOU want me to give my money to?”
• When I look for the new group or association to be involved with I should ask GOD “who do YOU want me to reach?”

Sometimes I really believe my life is “mine” and it really isn’t, it’s GOD’s. GOD has the right to do with my life as HE pleases.  HE can tear me down or raise me up or tear me down again as HE pleases.

While HE allows or even places difficult circumstances in my life, I should continue to ask HIM “how do YOU want me to serve YOU and who can I serve next?” GOD even owns my sin.  Yes HE is big enough and strong enough to handle the sin I so easily fall into. HE loved me so much that HE died for all of them. I owe my entire life to HIM because HE loved me first!

• What are you trying to hold on to?
• Can you open your hands and let go of every aspect of your life, even your sin?
• Will you ask GOD “what do YOU want to do with my life?”
• Do you want a full life?
• Are you willing to seek GOD to serve HIM and the humans HE directs your way?

Adventurous life doesn’t happen when I hide!

Matthew 28: ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

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Several times in my life it seems like I have taken a beating. I mean a beating on all fronts, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. During these rough patches I easily get into a rut.

Drained of energy, I easily move with the tide of life. Even the problems become hum-drum. This is when I just feel like hiding from everyone until everything blows over.

• I don’t feel like serving GOD or anyone when I’m feeling low.
• I don’t feel like being cheerful when I have “this” or “that” problem hanging over my head.
• I don’t feel like faking my smile when there are glaring issues in my life.

Issues in my life take my eyes off of GOD.  When I don’t see what HE can do for me then I run and hide from everyone hoping my issues will go away. Unfortunately things just get worse when I do this. The best thing I can do is come out of hiding and focus on JESUS.

• JESUS said “go” not “stay put” because nothing can harm my soul.
• JESUS told me to make disciples of “all” nations not just my own kind, this rids me of prejudice.
• JESUS stated that I should “baptize” or have people publicly declare that HE is LORD of all.
• JESUS articulated my teaching is valuable no matter how much or little I know the Bible.

JESUS has been given “ALL” authority in heaven and on earth and “NOTHING” can stop HIM. HE wants me to have an amazing life and it starts with coming out of hiding and telling all who I know about HIM, HIS FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT. 

I don’t mean teaching in a judgmental, nut-bag way. I mean teaching from a sincere loving graceful way that draws mankind to GOD. When I came out of hiding, I have had the best adventure each day!

• Is your life mundane?
• Are you stuck in a rut of problems?
• Will you grab life’s adventure of serving others for GOD?
• Is GOD calling you to a higher purpose?