Purpose Driven – But Whose Purpose?
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
It is vitally important to live purpose driven lives and to understand that God causes ALL THINGS to work together for GOOD to those WHO LOVE GOD and are called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE! This verse has for years been an anchor to my soul. Believing God’s promises – specifically this – is definitely a frustration extractor in my life. Sometimes I just bow and pray like this: “Lord, I don’t see how You are going to bring any good out of this situation, but I don’t have to see it. You promised, and I believe You. Thank You for the good You are going to bring out of this.” When He does bring the good, will I recognize it and praise Him for it? Only if I am focused on living my life ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE!!! To truly bring glory to God in my life, I must keep focused on living out His purpose, not my purpose. Balaam, Alexander the Great, Karl Marx, Adolf Hitler, and Josef Stalin all lived purpose driven lives, but brought death and devastation to millions because each was living for his own warped purpose instead of God’s purpose. And what is God’s purpose? It’s no secret! God inspired Paul to reveal it to us in the next verse: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” Romans 8:29. Here is the mystery of predestination revealed! Whatever God allows in my life – and in yours – is for the purpose of shaping me – and you – to become more and more like Jesus! Therefore, let’s focus on faith, not frustrations – on Jesus, not injustices! We become what we think about. So “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV). “Finally, brother, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS.” Phil. 4:8 (NIV)