Purpose

“A life without a purpose is a languid, drifting thing. Every day we ought to renew our purpose, saying to ourselves, ‘This day let us make a sound beginning, for what we have hitherto done is nought.’ Our improvement is in proportion to our purpose. We hardly ever manage to get completely rid even of one fault, and do not set our hearts on daily improvement. Always place a definite purpose before thee.”
– Thomas á Kempis (Leaves of Gold, pg. 136)

Motivational author Zig Ziglar is known for saying, “Aim at nothing and you will hit it every time.” I suppose there could be the rare exception to that rule, like the person walking on the basketball court, blindly tossing a ball in the air only to have it come down through the hoop. In most cases, though, aiming at nothing will naturally result in hitting the same.

One who is a disciple of Jesus is never left without purpose. At times we may yearn for increased clarity regarding that purpose, specifics of what it involves day by day, but the purpose is present nevertheless. How do we know this? To begin, scripture reminds us that we are created beings, and things that are created are almost without exception created for a purpose. “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Like a potter gives shape to a ware pleasing in her sight, so God fashions us into instruments prepared for Kingdom deeds in the world.

Further, as disciples of Jesus we are given explicit instruction to go into the world and help others follow Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). This mandate, what we call the Great Commission, is all-encompassing for our lives. It offers a foundational purpose that remains active regardless of what we are doing. When we are at work, we are to be making disciples. At our civic club meeting? Make disciples. On vacation? Yes, even then we are called to make disciples. Serving our Lord’s purpose is not just something we do eight hours a day, forty hours a week. It is not something from which we get four weeks vacation per year. It is the ultimate full-time calling.

“What we have hitherto done is nought.” Let not the past discourage you, nor let it make you complacent. We could easily be dissuaded by either. “I’ve been such a failure in the past; why would the Lord keep trusting me to do His work?” Get up and expect the God of redemption to do great things through you. “I’ve done so much in service to the Lord; surely He would understand if I coast for a while.” Is there yet one who lives without a saving relationship with Jesus? Then the work is not done. He has created you and called you for this work. This is a new day. May God’s purpose for your life be likewise renewed.

See you along the Winding Path.