The point of it all
Chris woke up one morning, and with some annoyance hit the ‘snooze’ button on his alarm clock. He rolled over in bed and thought, ‘It’s yet another day – what’s the point in getting up? Why go to school? Why am I here? What’s the purpose of my life?’
Some of you may be able to understand and relate to Chris’ feelings. Maybe you too have lain in bed wondering what the point of it all is. Or perhaps you’re not lying in bed but wandering through life – not knowing what life is about and wondering what part you play in the great scheme of things!
The answer is that God made your life for a purpose and you are here for a reason. God doesn’t make mistakes, even though you might be tempted to think he does. He didn’t accidentally forget to give you a life purpose – Proverbs 16:4 plainly tells us, ‘The Lord has made
I believe there are two parts to our purpose in life. There is (1) our purpose as human beings; and (2) our purpose as specific, unique individuals.
Purpose as humans
None of us knows
One reason why he delights in our worship is because he has a relationship with us. Man is the only creature made in the image of God and this must mean that God desires to have companionship with us. We were created to enjoy friendship and companionship with him.
Tragically, man rebelled against his Maker and destroyed the relationship that God desires to have with us. But believers in Jesus Christ have been restored to fellowship with God through his death, resurrection and saving grace. So Christians, at least, can fulfil this purpose of being friends of God!
A third purpose for humanity is to show God’s glory. Being made in his image, we reflect the awesome character and greatness of God. But how much greater is God than man! He had the ability to create us and everything else!
Everything, from the intricacies of our bodies (Psalm 139:13-16) to the vastness of the universe (Psalm 8), cries out how caring, powerful and inventive God is. He made the huge universe, but he also created a world of infinite and intricate perfection – and is so ‘mindful’ of man that he sent his Son to save us from our sins!
God’s purpose for you
It doesn’t stop there, of course. God has a specific job for you to do and a unique story for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 says, ‘“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”.’ He has given you the right mix of abilities and interests so you are just the right person to accomplish what he wants you to do.
Before any of this can be put into effect, of course, God must call you out of your sin and rebellion to faith in Christ. But once he has done this, he may then call you to a specific career and equally may tell you to do certain voluntary work in your spare time!
It’s worth noting that God doesn’t just call selected people into full-time Christian work such as being a missionary or a pastor. Every Christian is a ‘full-time’ Christian! God knows that our world needs witnesses to his grace and glory who are teachers, dustbin men, shop assistants, housewives, doctors, musicians, accountants and so on! The important thing is to make an impact for God wherever you are.
Just because your work or profession isn’t classed specifically as ‘Christian’ service, it doesn’t mean that you can’t serve God there. In fact, almost anything can be worship to God – ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men’ (Colossians 3:23).
Talk to Christian leaders and close Christian friends – look at yourself and see what gifts and talents God has given you. Keep your eyes, ears and heart open for God’s specific leading for your life. It might not be revealed to you right away, but God will definitely show you what it is when you need to know.
‘I can’t do that!’
So, what if you don’t feel prepared for what God calls you to? That’s OK, because God is continually working in his children and will equip us for whatever we need to do. It is also worth remembering that if we could do it on our own, it would be about us, not God.
It’s OK, even good, to feel inadequate for whatever God plans for us. That way, he can fill us with his strength and power – so that we and everyone else will know that whatever we achieve is the result of God’s greatness, not our own.
Even a towering figure like Moses felt insecure about what God wanted him to do – read about it in Exodus 3:10-4:18, which must be the longest argument anyone ever had with God! He wasn’t a ‘natural leader’ or a confident public speaker, but God chose him to speak to the King of Egypt and lead the Israelites – and helped him through all those experiences.
Our lives here on earth are far from meaningless. Grab hold of the purpose you are here for. Choose to make your life match up to what God knows you can (and should) be doing. As Jesus said, ‘I have come that [my people] may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly’ (John 10:10).
Those who follow Christ should live life in that fulness!
Joy Gaultney
