What is
purpose?
Purpose is the reason for which
something exists, is done, made or created. We all are creatures of purpose. We
are not products of chance or some lucky cosmic probability. We did not just
appear, and we would not just disappear. We are here for a reason and we have a
purpose. We deal with a God of order, principles, precision and super
intelligence, it will therefore be completely out of character for God to
create people who will then have no purpose. God does not make mistakes,
whatever and everything HE has said or did comes with a reason and purpose.
Everything around us (creation) testifies to God purpose for everything he has
created (Plants, animals, natural resources, air, water etc.). Accordingly, it
would be ludicrous, stupidity and idiocy for someone to think that his/her life
is without a purpose.
Unfortunately many believers carry on
in their lives without a sense of purpose. Some people begin to find purpose
too late, at the latter part of their lives, while some people never find their
purpose till they die. Irrespective of the foregoing, the reality is that our
lives have a purpose. Act17:24-26 underscores this as it shows that everything,
every detail of our lives was pre-has a purpose and was predetermined by God,
including such details as our race, nationality, family and even where we were
born. The problem is that many at times
as human beings we do not have this perspective, and as a result we pursue the
wrong things most times, and refuse to function in line with God’s purpose. The
rest of creation which was created according to God’s plan and purpose, do not
have a choice (since they do not have volition), but to function in line with
God’s purpose. Unfortunately, it is we, the crowning piece of God’s creation,
whom He has given so much to, whom he has bestowed right, responsibility and
ability to think and decide, are the ones who often times try not walk
according to His purpose.
Two benefits of Understanding Purpose
1.
It gives focus: Understanding purpose
will help us focus. When we do not
understand the purpose of a thing, then abuse is inevitable. If we do not understand
the purpose of God for our lives, we run around doing so many things. However,
when we understand purpose, we will be able to prioritize, leave out the
non-essentials, and focus on what is absolutely important. The story of Noah
and the Spies sent by Moses in the Old Testament, and that of Jesus in the New
Testament illustrate how purpose promotes focus.
Noah
From Gen 6:12-16, 20 we see that God
called Noah to build an ark. If Noah had not understood this, he would probably
have been going about other legitimate things or business, and would probably
not have focused his energies on building the Ark. It had not even rained
before the flood that God promised was coming. However, Noah understood the
purpose of God, and in obedience he continued with the building of the ark
until he completed it. The foregoing is a good illustration of how purpose can
help one to focus.
Moses
& the 12 spies
In Num13:17-26, Moses sent twelve of his
men out to spy out the land of Canaan and come back with a report on the people
how strong they were, and the quality of the land’s produce, etc. The twelve understood
that that was their purpose for going to Canaan. What if they had gone and
decided to marry and stay there; or joined their army; or felt it was a good
place to settle? However, they understood they were sent for a particular
reason, and that kept them in check and focused. Consequently, they came back
and gave their report in line with the Moses specific instructions.
Jesus
Mark1:29-38 provides another good
illustration. Jesus had healed Simon’s mother-in-law, and later in the evening other
sick people. Thereafter, he withdrew to a secret place to pray, which prompted
people to start looking for him. Eventually, his disciples found him, and were
surprised when they told Him everyone was looking for Him and he responded by
saying they should go to another city to teach and minister. Apparently, they
probably assumed he was going to make that city the base of their ministerial
operations. However, Jesus understood his purpose and the reason why he came,
and it gave Him focus. He knew to fulfill it he had to go round different
cities and take the good news to other places; therefore he could not afford to
stay in once city. Luke 4:14-19 shows that Jesus clearly understood His purpose
and he was able to channel his energy and all his resources to achieving
it. He knew he could not just be tied to
one location.
When we understand purpose, it gives
you a sense of focus. The truth is that in life, there are so many things
competing for our attention, or that places a demand on us, or which requires
our action and commitment. Nevertheless, when we understand purpose, we are
able to focus all our energies on the right spot.
2.
It motivates us amidst
difficult circumstances of life: Understanding of purpose keeps us motivated
amidst adverse circumstances of life. Rom 8:28 is a wonderful verse of
scripture written as a sort of encouragement, as seen from the context of its
surrounding verses (e.g Rom 8:18-27, and Rom 8:29-39). It was written to
encourage us and let us know that no matter what we face, when we understand
God’s purpose, it will keep us motivated.
Nehemiah’s story is another good illustration.
In Neh1:3-7, it was impressed in the heart of Nehemiah to re-build the wall of
Jerusalem, for which he obtained the king’s permission to do so. Despite the
problems and persecution (At some point they had to hold a weapon with one hand
and build with the other) Nehemiah and his men faced (Neh 4:13-17), an
understanding of God’s purpose kept them focused and motivated till they
finished their task.
We also see this in the life of Jesus.
Several times as he approached the Cross, he intimated his disciples that he
was going to Jerusalem to die (Matt 16:20-23). Even when Peter opposed him, he
rebuked Peter because He knew His purpose. Death by crucifixion was not an easy task for
Jesus (Mt 26:37-42, Heb 5:7-8). From John 17:1-5, we see that Jesus perfectly
understood the purpose of the task ahead of Him and how difficult it was. Heb12:2
reinforces this. There we see that Jesus for the joy set before Him ENDURED.
His purpose motivated Him to look beyond the scorn, shame and pain to complete
his task. The same way we can also look ahead and face whatever comes our way
as long as we understand that it is in accordance with God’s purpose for our
lives.
What is the Purpose of God?
If we read the entire book of
Ecclesiastes well, we will find Solomon saying everything in this world seemed
meaningless (e.g. wisdom, wealth, riches, talents, pleasure, nature etc.).The
truth is that if we do not have the right perspective we may come to the same
conclusion. That indeed is the way natural man thinks. The cause of this
mindset which conceives of everything as vanity is arguably sin, because God
did not from the beginning create man to think that way. Nevertheless as
towards the end of the book, we see the actual context in which everything was
regarded as meaningless (Eccl 12:13). However, this was merely a hint. 2Tim1:8-10, gives further insight.
2 Tim 1:8-10 and indeed other
scriptures that talk about purpose do not talk about purpose outside the Person
of God. The purpose of God is not something we think, guess or feel, it is
about what God says our purpose is. It is not about us, but about Hi,. That is
why Eph1:4-12 is replete with phrases stressing things which were designed to
benefit us FOR HIS GLORY Outside of Christ there is no purpose in life, and all
endeavours or pursuits would indeed be meaningless and purposeless, as stated
by Solomon in Ecclesiastes, to the natural mind. It is only in Him that things
begins to make sense for everything was created for Him (Col 1:15-17).
Therefore a person not born again cannot understand an iota of what purpose in
life is all about. In the same vein, a Christian who is not serious with his
Christianity is not serious with his purpose in life. It is only in Christ
Jesus that life begins to make sense and have purpose.
As we read Eph 1, especially verse 11,
we see a broad sense of what the purpose of God is for our lives, which is TO
BRING GLORY, EXULTATION, AND PRAISE TO GOD. We see the same idea in Eph 2:10, 1
Pet 2:9. Though the specifics (i.e. what God will have each one of us do
specifically) might differ from one another, but the foregoing BROAD PURPOSE is
the same. For example Peter was primarily sent to the Jews, while Paul
primarily was sent to gentiles (Gal 2:6-8), notwithstanding, the overall aim,
goal and purpose was to herald the gospel and bring praise and glory to Himself.
From Gal1:15-17, we see that God knew Paul so intimately and He was aware that
He, rather than Peter was the proper vessel to propagate the gospel amongst the
gentiles. God knows us intimately and He takes into account every detail and
works it all to go in accordance with His purpose for our lives (Ps139:13-16,
Jer1:4-5).
Everyone of us must wake up to the
reality that God has a unique purpose for our lives which in specifics differs
from others Accordingly, rather than being mediocre by seeking to imitate
others, thinking up our own self-conceived purpose, or trying to measure up to
what someone said we should be, we should strive to discover His specific
purpose and pursue it. Jonathan for example, knew that it was not His purpose
to be King of Israel, and that understanding prevented him from being jealous
or becoming an enemy or competitor of David.
Fulfilling
God’s Purpose
Fulfilling God’s purpose is not
limited to utilization of spiritual gifts alone, but also involves utilizing
our natural abilities, talents, education, vocation, training, where we are
now, where we will be in the future, our citizenship, and indeed the entirety
of our lives.
From Rom 12:1-2, we see that living
according to purpose starts from the place of surrender, and abandoning
ourselves completely into the hands of God. Sometimes as believers we keep a
part of us back, not giving ourselves totally, and treat God as though he is a
visitor or alien in our lives. This ought not to be. Romans 12:1 describes it
as sacrifice, which is apt, for an animal that has been slain as a sacrifice on
the altar is in a state of total and absolute surrender, and has no volition of
its own. That is the way we ought to be towards, the entirety of our lives
should be presented to God as a sacrifice for His glory.
Conclusion
We should repent and stop playing God
with our lives by drawing up our own plans, dreams and ambitions and expect God
to rubberstamp it because it may not be His purpose for our lives, though me
may be successful. It is when we relinquish control of ourselves to God that we
actually become useful in the hands of God and can really discover and begin to
pursue His specific purpose for our lives.
