Created With Purpose

Why am I here? What's my purpose? Questions I've considered. And most everyone else too.

Adolescents contemplate them and the answers normally chart their life's course. Not considering them leads to roller coaster rides with little direction and accompanying unwise decisions.

I faced them as a teenager but never reached clear conclusions. My dad was a preacher. Was it my destiny to be one too? My grandfather drove an ice cream truck, and that too seemed quite appealing, especially living in the steaming South. My mom worked at vehicle dealerships. Perhaps I was destined for award winning salesmanship.

But God revealed his purpose to me before adolescence: Ministry. At twelve I accepted it-but not at fifteen. Then rebelling and going my own way seemed more attractive and fun. So I did for eight years. Then it stopped being enjoyable. My fun wasn't taking me anywhere and the years were accumulating. So I decided to try God's plan. It didn't remove each obstacle or solve every problem, but I had the peace of knowing I was going in the right direction fulfilling my life's purpose.

Paul maintains God equips his children with various gifts and talents. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly. (Romans 12:6)

While many people possess identical gifts, they are exercised differently because of circumstances, opportunities and personalities. Mine were too but I used them my way-or rather God's way for me.

My conclusion I had purpose was finally reached when I accepted God's design. There's no one else identical to me-or you. And no one can adequately do what God plans for us. This is our time.

God creates with purpose in mind but never forces his plan on us. It's ours to accept or reject. But not without consequence. Success and fulfillment come by doing his plan his way.

Prayer: Father, guide us to discover Your purpose and give us the courage to live it out.

Receive these devotions in your email by entering your address on the blog sidebar and clicking submit. If this post blessed you, please share it with a friend.

Obeying God’s Schedule - Martin Wiles

Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” Matthew 9:22 NLT Schedules are made to be broken. According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test, I’m a judger. I like structure and organization. While I can be spontaneous on occasion, it’s not my preferred way of life. I’m also time conscious. I’ve been wearing a watch since I was in first grade. Schedules are important, and I like to be ahead of time for whatever the agenda holds. Keeping and checking off a list gives me an adrenaline rush. In college, I completed all my projects ahead of time. Some of these traits were inborn, but being the firstborn child and living with parents who had similar traits made it certain I’d be a judger. John’s gospel, especially, makes it evident that Jesus journeyed on a divine schedule. Many were told not to tell that he had healed them or cast out their demons simply because Jesus didn’t want his ministry to end p...

Bears or Gators? Believer or Non-Believer? - Melissa Henderson

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:21 NIV “What do you mean there are gators in the neighborhood?” Moving from central Virginia to South Carolina's Lowcountry brought new adventures. Learning about alligators, blue skinks, armadillos, and other creatures led to excitement but also a bit of worry. One of the most interesting parts of living in a new state was adapting to the weather and different animals. Would we prefer the bears of Virginia or the gators of the South? As my husband and I became accustomed to the humidity and scorching heat of the Deep South, we began referring to ourselves as “South Carolinians.” We laughed as we noticed folks wearing long-sleeved shirts and coats when temperatures reached sixty degrees in the Lowcountry. In Virginia, that temperature was...

Connecting to the Creator - Martin Wiles

It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Revelation 1:10 NLT I’ve done it all my life—whether I wanted to or not. Going to church was never an option. Dad was a preacher, and PK’s went to church … often. Our particular church tradition held services three times weekly, in addition to special activities on other days. I had to attend each one. After moving out, I had the option of going, but still went. When my parents made me go, I sometimes didn’t want to. But when I could stay home, I rarely did. Worship is what the apostle John did on the Lord’s Day. As he did, God spoke to him and told him to write things that would happen in the future. Things God’s people needed to hear and respond to. Beyond everything else, worship concerns giving God the glory and praise He deserves. He is our creator and deliverer, and we should celebrate that through worship. But worship involves us also. We have needs that require attention and decisions that deman...

Love Lines From God

Search This Blog