Purpose
He was old, but not that old. Sick, but not that sick. In the hospital, but expected to go home. But something happened. His manly pride was broken. He just folded up and died.
I remember him. He had been a great man in his day. He died quietly – humbly, not wanting to live, if he could not be fulfilled in life. It was a sobering moment for me. As I thought about his demise, it occurred to me that the power of purpose is the difference between life and death. Rick Warren has captured a huge reading audience writing about purpose. He talks about the passion of a purpose driven life. Living with purpose is not a new idea. The wise man observed: “without a vision people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).
In recent months mega tragedies have left us with images of faces aged with the loss of purpose. Dreams have been shattered. Toys and possessions of life have been lost in a moment’s time, or ripped and wasted by winds, waves, fires, and earthquakes. Too often even family and friends have disappeared with the things, with neither possessions nor persons ever to be seen again.
To lose things can make us sad or lonely. To lose purpose is to lose life itself.
The challenge is to order life with reason and logic, setting things in a proper order, and to live each day with a sense of continuity and completion. Life is a journey, with a road map, and with a destination charted.
In proper form a purpose is designed in cooperation with prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit. With thoughtful consideration of Romans 14:7 that we are not born to ourselves, and we do not die by ourselves, other persons are welcomed into our lives. In fullness of heart, loving others, we welcome the presence of those who want to walk the path of faith, hope, and purpose.
The purpose-driven life is not born in the cesspool of negativism and cynicism. Purpose is born in the womb of faith, hope and love.
Abraham was driven by two great purposes. One, he was looking for a city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). Two, God had promised him a son. And at age 100, he was willing to believe God and talk to Sarah at least one more time.
David, a shepherd boy, looked at the mighty giant Goliath, and said: “Is there not a cause?” (I Samuel 17:29). The Name of the Lord had been insulted. David was not willing to allow the insult to pass.
Elisha was the son of a prosperous farmer. However, when Elijah passed by Elisha slew the farm animals, offered sacrifice to God, i.e., burned bridges behind him, and set out to preach the gospel and perform mighty miracles.
Nehemiah was a cupbearer with a broken heart, because his home city was desolate, and his people were living in despair. He prayed, risked his life, got a dream, received the Lord’s favor, received the king’s favor, received the favor of the people of Jerusalem, and in 52 days did what had not been done in 100 years!
Jesus lived about 33 years and revolutionized the world. He changed the course of history. Kingdoms have risen and fallen because of the name and works of Jesus. No other person/god has ever impacted the world like Jesus, who came with purpose to do his Father’s will (Luke 10:21ff), i.e., “to seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10).
Paul started out persecuting Christians. Then He encountered Jesus. Paul became the persecuted because he was driven by the Spirit to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to Gentiles (people who are Jews). Ship-wreck, beatings, imprisonment, even hunger were all like fuel firing Paul’s purpose-driven life to go where others had not gone taking the Good News that Jesus is the Savior.
Godly purpose gets you out of bed, keeps you out of trouble, makes sin look cheap, makes trespasses of others forgivable, puts a sparkle in the eye, and is righteously contagious/infectious. Folks like folks with a sparkle in their eye, a bounce in their step, and a plan to help others -- makes the body healthier, keeps the mind focused, and helps one to live longer and have more joy in doing so.
Purpose is bigger than self, bigger than hobbies, and bigger than things. Purpose is investment in people that will last after we are long passed from this life. It is not a name on a plaque, but giving life to others, encouraging, helping, and sharing the joy that Jesus has brought into our lives.
My prayer for you is that you are living a life of purpose—a life pleasing to the Lord, and one that will receive the praise of “Well done” when you stand before the Creator Father of All Things.
Pastor Bare
Proverbs 29:18