Our
Purpose in Life
(Minute Meditation - November 2004)
You
are only as strong as your purpose, therefore
let us choose reasons to act that are big, bold, righteous, and eternal,
says Barry Munro.
Barry Munro is correct when he tells us that our purpose in life determines
our choices in life. If we have no goals or direction, then we will drift
wherever the wind blows us. If we have a clear vision of the future, then
we will make decisions that will help us achieve our goals. An old African
proverb observes, “A fool and water will go the way they are
diverted.” Without thinking of where we want to be, we simply
go with the flow and take the course of least resistance, often making
foolish choices.
What kind of purpose gives big, bold, righteous or eternal reasons to
act? Many people aspire to make lots of money, others want to win an Olympic
medal or become President or Prime Minister. These goals are big and bold,
requiring dedication and sacrifice, but they are secular, not necessarily
spiritual, and many achieve fame or wealth by trampling upon others on
their way to the top.
When Barnabas visited the ecclesia at Antioch we are told, “when
he came, and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and exhorted them
all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”
Cleaving to the Lord involves commitment and dedication, and also gives
reasons to act that are big, bold, righteous, and eternal.
A person must be dedicated to seek first the kingdom of God, which Jesus
compared to a pearl of great price for which a merchantman will sell all
that he has in order to buy it. We are told to present our bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. Such service to God may require
acts of boldness, such as when the apostles boldly preached to all who
would hear, including kings and magistrates, often at great personal risk.
Those who faithfully cleave to the Lord, resolved to do the will of their
Heavenly Father, will be acting righteously and seeking eternal life.
Barnabas’ words of exhortation are just as appropriate for us today
as they were when he gave them so many years ago. God has called us according
to His purpose. We are thankful to be among the hand-picked few whom God
is drawing to Him. Jesus tells us, “No man can come to me, except
the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the
last day.” We seek an eternal reward that will not fade away,
the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ to be given
to those who are judged worthy at the last day. When we choose cleaving
to the Lord for our purpose in life, we have the best possible reasons
for acting boldly and righteously now in serving God, in hopes of serving
Him eternally.
Paul has told us, “we know that all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose.” God has a purpose with us. How thankful we should
be that because of His purpose, God is working to make sure everything
in our lives can work out for our ultimate good. This inspiring thought
should encourage us then, to follow the exhortation of Barnabas. We need
to make sure our purpose in life is to cleave unto the Lord by choosing
to do those things that are righteous and eternal.
Everyone who knew Paul knew his purpose in life. He told Timothy, “But
thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering,
charity, patience.” Let us be followers of Paul as he also
was of Christ. Let us make our guiding principle in life clear to all
we meet, that with purpose of heart we are cleaving to the Lord.
Robert Lloyd