Getting Some Answers

John 4: ²⁵ The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

²⁶ Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

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“Where is the manual?” I wanted to ask. That question was not posed to anyone at the time, rather a vent of frustration towards life in general. I mean if I would have known that things would go wrong, I may not have chosen “fill in the blank.”

• Many times in life I have more questions than answers.
• Many times in life I want guidance but have none.
• Many times in life I desire the “right” path but I choose the very wrong path and need help getting back to the point where I started complaining in the first place.

The Samaritan woman concludes her encounter with JESUS by saying “The Messiah is coming and will explain everything to us.” JESUS declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I AM HE.” But what questions was JESUS supposed to answer?

• GOD wants me to know I have a purpose.
• GOD wants me to understand that my purpose is to tell as many people as possible that they are freed spiritually through JESUS.
• GOD wants me use the gifts and talents HE has given me to show HIS love so HE will draw many to HIM.

“What do you want from me?” is usually a question I have in frustration to GOD because of an unmet expectation. BUT GOD picks me up and fills me with HIS SPIRIT when I am low. HE opens my eyes to what HE is doing even when things I want are coming to me slowly or not at all.

JESUS said “I AM the Messiah” meaning, “Stop looking for answers because I AM the answer to life.” When I point even the smallest part of my life towards HIM, HE blesses it abundantly. I am grateful for HIM giving me purpose.

• Are you looking for answers?
• Do you base your faith on what you can see?
• Will you allow GOD to give you purpose and seek those HE wants to draw to HIM today?

Meaning

Luke 6: ¹² Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. ¹³ And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: ¹⁴ Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; ¹⁵ Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; ¹⁶ Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

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“Get married”… Check. “Have kids”… Check. “Numerous vacations”… Check. “Bills paid”… Check. “Buy stuff”… Check. “Rise to the top in my industry”… Check. “So why am I so empty?” I asked myself one morning.

• There were times when I sought what everyone told me would make me happy.
• There were times when I met everyone’s expectations and I still was not excited.
• There were times when I acquired stuff and felt even emptier.

JESUS prayed all night and in the morning HE called HIS disciples to HIMSELF. These were the chosen people who would be charged with the incredible task of telling the entire world that the CHIRST has indeed arrived. Their lives would be turned upside down as they faced a new purpose.

• GOD wants me to have meaning in life.
• GOD wants me to live my life with purpose.
• GOD wants me to understand that my existence is because of HIM.

When I recognize that GOD not only created me, but I must live for HIS purpose, I soon make different decisions. I answer HIS call more often and HE guides me to serve people I would not have otherwise. GOD gives my life meaning and I can live every day for HIM if I choose to.

• Does your life have meaning?
• Do you feel GOD’s calling on your life?
• Can you answer HIS call and allow HIM to guide you to a more meaningful existence today?

More to Life

Mark ¹⁶ As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ¹⁸ At once they left their nets and followed him.

¹⁹ When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰ Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

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“Finally a real job” I thought to myself. I had enough of dumping cigarettes in the garbage and cleaning toilets! It wasn’t long into the job that I became restless. The job was repetitious and boring. “There has got to be more to life than this!”

• There were times when I wondered what my purpose was.
• There were times when I wondered what the existence of life meant.
• There were times when I wanted to do more and be more than what I was.

Purpose and meaning were two words that truly resonated with me. I mean if I was doing something were fruitless, I saw through it and desired to run in the opposite direction. What is meaningful?

• GOD said to me “I want you to come, follow ME.”
• GOD said to me “I WILL send you out to fish for people.”
• GOD said to me “There is no failure when I give you purpose.”

When GOD gives me something to do, it is part of HIS intricate plan. Nothing I do goes to waste. I may not see all the steps or components, but HIS plan is perfect. HE calls me into this perfect plan and gives me a higher calling. HE wants me to bring people back to HIM.

• Are you searching for meaning?
• Do you think your job or school is your sole purpose in life?
• Can you stop thinking you are at the end of your rope and allow GOD to use you for a greater purpose?