Born for a purpose--a unique one. Ephesians 2.10

Born for a purpose—a unique one.  Ephesians 2.10

Good Morning!

Purpose is defined as ‘the object toward which one strives, or For which something exists’

Paul spoke of our purpose ~ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

The tiny, yellow canary . . . what if she didn’t sing?  She wouldn’t live out her purpose. 

The little sailboat on the waters of the Pacific. . . if its sails were never used, it would be no more than a rowboat with cloth and pole attached.

Eric Liddell, gold medal Olympic runner. . . took a stand for God by not running on Sunday.  “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”  What if he hadn’t?

Young Billy Graham . . . if he had never dare to preach his first sermon about the God who loves us, and bids us ‘Come, just as we are. . .’  What if he hadn’t preached?

I could give you example after example, of course, of those who discovered their purpose, and lived life fully because of it, but those suffice to make the point. 

Sooner or later . . . the question comes, ‘Why am I here?  What is my purpose?’  For some, it comes earlier than later—for instance, my Amy started asking me those questions at age seven, when I was tucking her in bed.  She has never stopped thinking deeply, that girl. . .   ‘Mommy, can you tell me the meaning of life?’  The first time she asked me, I looked at her, feeling rather stunned.  I stammered something about playing Barbies … but a night or two later she asked, “Can’t you tell me why I am here?”  How do you answer that question for a young child?  Then I told her she was here to love God.  She is 27 now, loving God, and living out his purposes for her.

These questions come at different life stages, mostly at obvious junctures, for most of us.   And almost all folks, men and women alike—hit midlife, and think again,  “Is this all there is?  Is this all I am ever going to be?  Am I missing something?”  

The arena of purpose takes some unpacking, some thinking about …

You were made in the image of God ~ Genesis 1.26 ~ What do you suppose that means for you?______________________________________________________________________

God created you body, soul, mind, and spirit . . . Since nothing is wasted in God’s economy, all of those are encompassed in your individual purpose. 

            Psalm 63.1   Matthew 26.41   Mark 12.30

Why did God create you?  For relationship with him.   Before the Garden of Eden was corrupted by sin, God even came down and walked in the garden with Adam and Eve ~ Genesis 3.8 (How amazing would that have been?)

So, what did the Designer/Creator have in mind for his creation?

  ~He cares for us……………………………..Psalm 95.7

  ~He gives us good gifts…….………………………..Matthew 7.11

  ~He takes delight in us…………..………………...Zephaniah 3.17

  ~He will be a Father to us…………..………….2 Corinthians 6.18

  ~He loves us enough He would give us His Son…..….1 John 4.10

  ~Before you were born, GOD had a PLAN for your LIFE……….

  ->He said, “For I know the plans I have for you. . .

            plans to give you a hope and a future.”   Jeremiah 29.11

                 ->The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.  Psalm 138.8

What are the steps toward finding your purpose?  Consider your relationship with your Creator.  Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, or just religion?  Have you chosen to follow him?  (For this is where you must begin in finding your purpose~) If not, you are invited to do so now, by praying a simple prayer of faith, something like this: 

‘Dear God, I want to know you more.  I recognize that I sin regularly, and that since no unholy thing will be in your presence, my sins must be covered—and Jesus Christ did that on the cross.  Since I want to spend eternity with you, please forgive me of my sins, and come and lead my life.  Amen’  If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God!

You are on your way to knowing your purpose.

Indeed … you are special, you are uniquely gifted!