If you asked 100 people what their purpose in life is you would probably get a wide range of answers. Many would say to be happy. Others would say to make a lot of money. And still others would respond to be famous. And for these people, they probably have never consulted with God as to what their purpose in life is. I believe that the best way to find out what our purpose in life is, is to ask God. Pastor Rick Warren shares the following insight here: “The easiest way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the creator of it. The same is true for discovering your life’s purpose: Ask God.”1
Charles Spurgeon adds the following thought: “Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord; show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose: I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all her living, so, Lord, I cast my time and eternity too into thy treasury; I am all thine; take me, and enable me to glorify thee now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.”2
And down through the centuries Christians have often asked God what their purpose in life is. I too, have asked this question and have come to realize that the overarching answer is to glorify the Lord and enjoy Him forever. I have also come to the conclusion that if I keep this theme of glorifying Jesus as my chief purpose in life then I am free to pursue the desires of my heart. And the reason is simple. If my sole desire is to glorify God in whatever I do or with all of my possessions, then I am free to pursue the career of my choice, work at a ministry of my choosing, or marry the girl of my dreams.
For along with these individual desires is another desire which is to always do the will of God. And I believe that if we are always striving to do God’s will, then His will for our lives is to do whatever we want! For if we are walking in God’s will, then God is controlling our desires. For we read in (Psalm 37:4): “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” In other words, your desires will be His desires and His desires will be yours. And my friends when God’s desires and your desires align then God will be glorified in whatever we choose to do. And there is absolutely nothing more satisfying than to glorify God with our time, our talents, and our treasury, in the free choices we make, knowing that we are children of the God of the universe!
1 700 QUOTES BY RICK WARREN [PAGE – 10] | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)
2 Charles Spurgeon quote: Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord… (azquotes.com)
“I believe that the best way to find out what our purpose in life is, is to ask God.”
Pastor Warren said to “ask the Creator.”
What does our Creator tell us about purpose?
Our Creator told us what our purpose is from the very beginning.
“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion.”
“God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.”
This purpose has never been repealed. It was repeated after the fall, Gen. 9.
This dominion mandate is contrary to the words of the popular song, “This World is not My Home.” God’s purpose for mankind since creation says that this world is our home and in fact will be our home throughout eternity.
When was the last time you heard a sermon on the ramifications of dominion and subduing the earth?
Satan messed up this purpose. That is why Christ came to earth.
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.“
I John 3:8
And the earth that became contrary to God’s purpose He overcame.
“I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Glory to God he renewed this covenant through the work of Christ. Now, it’s our obligation to carry it out.
Curt,
First, thank you so much for these devotionals. They really are an awesome blessing. However, I’m writing to share what an awesome God we serve. How amazing that this morning, before I read this devotional, I was seeking and asking God why he’s blessed my life so much. I was earnestly looking for my purpose in life. Baffled as to why God has always been there for me even when I didn’t deserve it; thinking I must have something that God wants from my life. Then I read your devotional. It’s honestly amazes me how so many times just when I need to hear something anything, God reminds me to read your message. And today’s was why not ask God. It will never stop amazing me how everything in life works out the way it does. Thank you again for these devotional. I hope all has been well. Love and miss you! I pray God continues to bless your life! Please know you are a blessing to so many and these little messages mean so much to so many.
Best,
Luke