“I have appeared unto thee for this purpose.”
Acts 26:16
What Are Your Purposes?
by Barry Bennett – shared with permission
I often speak of our purposes in life. I prefer the word “purpose” to the word “plan.” The idea that God has a plan for my life lends itself to a “God is in control” mentality that assumes that we are puppets. People who feel they have missed God’s plan must often deal with guilt and despair. If I missed Plan A, then I must settle for Plan B. What if I messed up and missed Plan B? Some of us might be on Plan L, M or N by now. That isn’t very comforting.
I prefer to speak of God’s purposes for our lives because a purpose is something born in you by the Spirit of God. It doesn’t change. It can sit idle for years or even decades, but once we plug in to true fellowship (intimacy) with God, our purpose springs to life. We can lose time due to our mistakes, but we will never lose our purpose.
I don’t believe that God is as concerned about where we are as much as who we are. It is the “who” that determines the “what” and “where” of our lives. I am a teacher. That has been one of my purposes from the moment I was born again. However, I didn’t know this for many years. I was more concerned about where I should be ministering than I was about who I was in Christ. A teacher will teach no matter where they are. Who we are in Christ will adapt to the surroundings and circumstances. Our purpose will come to the surface sooner or later. I will teach in some form or fashion wherever I am. It is one of my purposes.We are all purposed to be godly spouses, parents, employees and citizens. We are all purposed to be a blessing and love those around us. Don’t lose sight of the big picture.
Yes, we can and should be led by the Spirit as to where we are and what we do, but sometimes I feel that we can get too mystical about this and lose sight of the real issue of fellowship with God. Let your purposes shape your circumstances rather than waiting for the perfect circumstances before you step into your purposes. Our purposes will grow, develop and mature over time. The expression of a purpose today will be different from the way it is expressed in ten years. The more we choose to walk in our purposes now, the more clearly we can be led by God into His purposes for our future.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
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