www.purpose.com (Pt. 1/2)
It’s that time of year again! You know what I’m talking about. The time of year where we all resolve to reset for real, but then again we’re not sure how long the changes we make will last. Clearly, it’s a good thing to reflect on what went well and what we could have done better from the past year. However, all the good intentions and renewed commitments of the new year usually fizzle within a month or so. Why and what could we do to change this well-intentioned, yet vicious cycle? The answer we’re all looking for may seem complicated, but I think it can be boiled down into this simple thought…Find your purpose and do the things necessary to fulfill.
If you’re reading this and you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior then I’m certain we share a similar “why” behind what we’re about and where we find our purpose. If you don’t know Jesus then I ask that you hang with me a little longer as I share with you more about my purpose and what I’ve found are (so far) the best ways for me to stay in line with my purpose.
The “Why”
If we’re to discuss our purpose, we should first understand it. Purpose is defined as, “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” For a theological definition we turn to The Westminster Larger Catechism, which asks a loaded question and then provides a powerful answer regarding our purpose, “1. What is the chief and highest end of man? Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever.”
It’s clear then that as Christians we are to be rooted in our relationships with our Heavenly Father. The rest of our life is shaped from this singular bond. We know that when we aren’t right with the Lord our family, work, and personal lives suffer. Thankfully, we know our relationship to Christ is not based on our performance, but rather fully on the saving work of Jesus who chose us as his own. When we sense ourselves straying from the path, we have the ability to return to the Father and the fullness of his love.
Likewise, when we find ourselves lacking purpose in our lives, it may be time for us to evaluate where we been putting our hope, finding our joy, and focusing our time. I know this to be true in my own life. I find it easy to fall into worry about the future and become frustrated with the present because it doesn’t match up with what I want or had imagined. It’s easy for me to focus on myself rather than then put my energy and effort into caring for my family and others. It’s easier for me to find time for football than a quiet time. The list goes on and on. It’s in these moments that the Holy Spriit reminds me that my focus can’t be on myself, but rather must be on what Christ desires from me. When I reorient myself to Jesus everything else in life seems to make sense. It seems too simple, but it’s true! I’ve heard it said and find it to be true that genuine joy is putting our priority as Jesus, others, and then finally on ourselves.
A Simple Purpose
Since our aim is to be more like Jesus, it is fitting that we explore what Jesus has to say. Jesus provides a simple answer to our question of purpose in Matthew 22:34-40.
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Our obedience to Christ’s answer is where the key to true purpose is found. It is one thing to know your purpose and how to get there, but it is another to embrace it and live it out “with all your heart and with all your will and with all your mind.” If we make our priority God and others, we will quickly find the purpose we seek. I would encourage you before you read any further to stop and consider what your purpose is in life. My purpose is to honor Jesus, love people, set high standards, pursue excellence, and protect the people entrusted to me. In order for me to do these things well, I must have discipline. Unfortunately, a lack of discipline has at times overshadowed any of my good intentions and solid convictions. However, the amazing reality about discipline is that it is achievable for everyone including me. It’s not based on luck or good intentions, but rather based on you making the choice to do things that help you live your life with your purpose in mind. Without purpose, discipline is pointless.