Your purpose in life

1 Timothy 1:16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.


My oldest two kids are six and eight and it is fun to watch Cal and Alison's answers change when you ask the question "what are you going to do when you grow up?" Two years ago they had their hearts set on being cooks at Moe's. Last year it was a policeman for Cal and a business person for Alison. Cal is now convinced he is worthy of the NFL after one year of tackle football and Alison is so self confident, that currently she wants to keep her options open so that she can excel at the profession which needs her the most when the time comes for her to enter the work force (sounds like her old man's plans).

Have you ever noticed that we all need a purpose to live? No matter if anyone believes in Jesus or not, we all have a deep longing to be defined as something, even if that is being an Atheist, Agnostic, Artistic, Entrepreneur, Pretty, Powerful, Helpful, Nice, Republican, Democrat, Religious or whatever, we all want a tag that expresses our life's purpose. We want to be defined by something that gives us reason to breathe, live for the day and strive towards. If you take a minute and stop, you will see that everyone wears this purpose visually. Those adornments range from the track marks and blood shot eyes of an addict to Gucci sunglasses and Mercedes keys in the hand of an upper crust elitist. Whatever it maybe, the purpose of your life is apparent to the world as you broadcast that message in your actions, words, clothes and thought life.

Whoever or whatever gives you purpose is your God. Whoever or Whatever defines who you are is the God you serve.

Paul's answer to why he received grace and mercy should make us stop and evaluate our true purpose. He received grace so that His life would be an example of Christ's love and regeneration and forgiveness. Paul wanted his life to be a monument to Christ. Christ's words, Christ's actions, Christ's hugs, Christ's truths that sometimes cause confrontation or whatever else, he knew he had been saved only to reflect that grace to others.

Can you say that? Does your life reflect that? Your grace was allotted to you so that your life can be an example of that grace to a lost and cold world, so that God could be glorified in the worship of others? I know I was never taught this Gospel truth until my mid thirties through my friend Tim Dilbeck. Until then, I just thought that I was supposed to kind of blend Jesus into my earthly purposes and He was going to make me a nicer and better Entrepreneur, Conservative Auburn fan. The line between these two schools of thought is razor thin and perhaps leaves you confused. Well here is the test you can take to help you see what your purpose in life is: Go find someone that you casually know and ask them to tell you what they see as your passions. Then draw it in a little closer and ask your spouse, kids and family that same question. Tell them to be honest. Take it to heart and realize that no matter what or who we may think we are worshipping, our life is leaving a trail of proof as to who or what our God is............. If there answer is any thing other than someone who loves Jesus then I would ask you to consider getting honest with God maybe even on your knees. (Even if there answer is "churchy", we are called to reflect God's glory by pointing to Christ, not our local building and activity schedule)