Purpose – “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” – Oxford Dictionary of English
Purpose is a healthy motivator. Having purpose brings a mother to the bedside of a child at three in the morning. Guilt is a destroyer of purpose. Guilt causes cold sweats and insomnia.
Purpose needs to override the black and white, judgemental truth of guilt. If guilt seeds a desire for good, then it is useful. If guilt seeds anger and despair, it has still not matured into a usable product. The anger and despair need not be deemed useless. They may well serve to ultimately bring us to a place where purpose replaces guilt.
Being aware of the reality that we are guilty aids us to recognize a need. Initially, awareness of this need often attempts to motivate change. Change of habits, change of attitude, sometimes the change of associates and friends. Self-imposed change is good. It does, however, tend to lack in sustainability. This ultimately leaves a person in a vulnerable spot, when we realize that we are able to initiate surface change. However, deep within us there is an awakening, an understanding that our purpose and determination leave an even deeper abyss of heart and soul.
In each human is a soul. This soul longs for God. God dwells in us by invitation only. This invitation is sometimes an all-in process. Sometimes it’s an ebb and flow process. When a person gives to God all that they are aware to give, unconditionally, a purpose for life is born. New light radiates in the recipient’s face. We are now a child of God!
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 KJV. This journey of “come unto me” is certainly initiated when a person commits their life to the Lord and accepts the plan of salvation.
However, the journey in finding purpose may be a long one. Sometimes it is short. Do not feel frustrated if your journey has setbacks. Not all of us have found this purpose for living in one application or in one thrust. Once we have become a Christian we are still not home-free. Although we have the reference point of “Once I was blind, but now I can see…” (from “The Light of the World is Jesus” by P.P. Bliss) we still will be prone to losing sight of our purpose.
When we mature as Christians, we will take God’s yoke upon us. This again is a reference point.
This yoke is different things to different ones. It is the joy of the journey! We are employed by an Eternal God, and Everlasting Father! The joy of this journey is directly linked to our vision of our purpose.
We can splash in the shallow waters, or we can dive into the deep waters of Christian service, fully abandoning all preconceived notions. We can be restrained by doubt and fear, or we can trust an Almighty God. We can “walk on water” with Jesus! Never underestimate God!
