Purpose

     How do we find purpose on earth? What is it all about? If Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, what does He expect from you and me? He gave up everything to give us new life. I know I have nothing to give in return. There is nothing we CAN do, nothing God needs. He IS everything. What He wants and asks from us is to have a relationship with Him. He wants intimacy. He wants to work His plan with us and through us.

     As we get to know Jesus through His Word and through prayer, our purpose begins to become clear. Knowing Him, putting Him first, recognizing we can’t do anything without Him, finds us surprisingly able to do things we could not imagine. Our confidence is in Him, rather than our own efforts and He will use you and me to fulfill His purposes on earth.

     He may use your story, your suffering, your life as a testimony to others. People may notice a change and ask you about the hope that is in you. You might speak boldly about your faith to someone God places in your path. Jesus may even ask you to reach out to someone you don’t like very much. You and I couldn't do it on our own.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is iimpossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

     Get to know Him. Open up the Good Book. Imagine a new life filled with possibilities. Most of the thoughts in our head, what we worry about, compete for, save to buy, work towards, will not come with us into heaven.

     When we meet Jesus, He will burn up the things that won’t come with us in through those pearly gates. But the things we did with Him and for Him and through Him? They will be refined like gold, beautiful and lasting. Good enough to last forever.

Their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved-even though only as one escaping through the flames.  1 Corinthians 3:13-15

     This work is not anything we can do on our own, but only with Jesus, the foundation. He shows us what to do and how to do it, through His Holy Spirit, through His Word, through our time of prayer.

     Ready to give it a try, this purposeful life? It comes down to the heart and His love.

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.  Proverbs 27:19

     What is the condition of your heart? Let it melt into a life with Christ.

Dear Jesus,

You give our lives meaning and purpose. Show us how to take the next step. Help us focus on Your love and getting to know You more intimately this year. We are one in spirit with You and the Father when we believe.

Amen