Purpose

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.”

-John 6:28-29

 

We hear the word purpose thrown around quite frequently, and it's a word that's always sort of perplexed me as well.  What is my purpose on this Earth?  What is God's purpose for my life?  If only I could just figure out my purpose...  I've seen countless books written about discovering your purpose, listened to sermons detailing exactly how to figure out your purpose, the list goes on and on.

The truth is, Jesus gives us God's answer in all of its simplicity right there in John 6.  "The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent." I wonder sometimes why this question, to which Christ supplies a basic, straightforward answer, continues to perplex so many of us.  We wonder if we're actually living out our purpose in the jobs that we have, in the professions we've chosen, in the classes we take.  We wonder if we weren't made for greater things than just being moms, wives, and friends.  We're faced with our own inadequacy in much of life and quickly stereotyped as a "certain kind of woman," and through it all, our steadfast faith may waver.

Yet if we take a step back and consider ourselves through God's eyes, we are living out our purpose simply by believing in and following our Savior Jesus.  No matter how menial we consider our daily work, we give Him all glory.  When we do every single thing for Him, it is then that we will discover our true purpose.

 

Take delight in the Lord,
   and He will give you the desires of your heart.
-Psalm 37:4