Purpose is something we spend a lot of time seeking. I ask myself on a regular basis, "What is my purpose?" Or, "Why am I even here?" How about you, do you find yourself asking the same questions?
I believe we have a need to know that our lives make a difference somehow. But if we're not careful we just might find ourselves looking for purpose in all the wrong places. I've said this before, I spent much of my life chasing the wind. It's funny how we humans do that. We want justice, but who's? Equality is now equity, but who exactly decides that? And if we get to decide who's life is worth living (or not), then we must be the ones who decide if that life has purpose, right?
There is a deep mourning in our country that many of us are experiencing, especially in the light of current events. But we know it goes much deeper than that. Jeremiah, who was called the weeping prophet, knew such mourning. The nation was deteriorating economically, politically and spiritually. Sacrificing children became a common practice. And God's word was considered offensive. (Sounds a bit familiar)
Yet God called Jeremiah to go and speak His word to the people; most of whom did not want to hear what God had to say at all. God knew that the confidence and great strength Jeremiah needed to run this race would come from the most important part of who he is—
The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4-5 NIV
Life and Purpose come from God Himself. Jeremiah had both; and so do we. I can't create life, nor can I create purpose; not one that matters much anyway. This is what God wanted for Jeremiah (and us) to know, that is, I formed you on purpose, for a purpose. God knows us before we are even conceived; and He calls each of us before we are born. He has purpose for every life.
The debate about life is not a choice issue, but a God issue. The fact of the matter is, whether anyone believes it or not, God alone is the author of life, not man.
Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:22-23 NLT
Without a Creator, life happens by chance. We've replaced God with self. Purpose is impossible without life, life is meaningless without purpose, and without God, well. . . . as I often say, take a look outside.
It's time, Christian, to pull our heads out of the sand. We've allowed God to be taken out of just about everything; locked behind church doors. And even in there He can be barely recognizable to who He is. It's no wonder there is little value for human life, never mind a desire to know purpose. Let's not let another generation grow numb to the truth.
Jeremiah's response to God was, “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” (vs 6)
Jeremiah, like Moses, was focused on his own limitations. Can you relate? I surely can. Every time I sit down to write I'm reminded of mine. I must ask God a hundred times a week if this is really what He has called me to do. It's funny, I just finished a series and literally said out loud that it's probably my last. My mind was blank and I had no idea of where to go next. Sometimes I wonder if God has a joyful laugh as He leads us to redirect our focus. You see, I'm in this book of Jeremiah in a reading plan I follow and God's next statement to him leaped off the page—
The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (vs7-8 emphasis mine)
So if you have been asking, like me, what is my purpose, please hear God when He says that He formed you before He knew you and He set you apart for His purpose. And I can guarantee you that you are not in this century, in this decade by chance.
"From one man he made every nation of man, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' " Acts 17:26-28 NIV
I would venture to say that most generations claim those verses as theirs, but I say our generation just might need them the most. If you have breath, you have purpose. Don't listen to the lies that tell you otherwise; and more importantly, give attention to His words; incline your ear to His sayings; do not let them depart from your eyes; and keep them in the midst of your heart (Proverbs 4:20-21); for they are your very life and they hold your purpose within them!
We may not be prophets as Jeremiah, but each of us has been created with a purpose for His Glory. Are you willing to let God use you as His vessel?
For it was You who created my inward parts;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.
My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret,
when I was formed in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in Your book and planned
before a single one of them began. Psalm 139:13-16 HCSB
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