Find Your Purpose July 17 2009
By Doug Davis
PROVERBS16:4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.
Have you ever wondered what your purpose on earth is?
I remember, back in the late 60's, and early 70's, everybody sat around wondering what their purpose was.
Why am I alive?
Why am I here?
Then they would come up with deep sounding foolishness, that tickled their itching ears, and stroked their egos.
I would be willing to bet, that a lot of the great and deep sounding ideas came out of a bong, or a bottle.
“Oh yes grasshopper, my purpose in life, is to discover the properties, and benefits of smoking my brains out with a variety of pot.”
That's about the depth of it.
However, we do need to discover, and understand our true purpose for existing.
We know, from reading the Bible, that our main purpose, is to lead others to Christ, and rescue them from eternity in Hell.
We also know that another purpose for our existence, is to worship, and commune with God.
OK, these are neat sounding things, but then, why are we all so different from each other?
We all have our own talents, strengths, and interests.
What is that all about?
I've heard teachings saying that these kinds of things are just tricks of the Devil, to lure us away from God, and to keep us from working for Him.
I personally know a lady, who played an amazing piano.
She could play classical, like no one I've ever met, and she could play praise and worship as well.
I think she could probably play any style of music on it.
She also played the flute like an angel singing.
However, some prune of an elder in a church, told her that she had to give up that musical talent for the Lord.
That it was a distraction from truly worshipping Him.
She actually gave up her life's love for 10 years.
I never did get my mind around that.
What a loss for her, and for everyone!
God showed me, this week, why we all have different abilities, strengths, understandings, and interests.
Not for the purpose of distracting us from God, but rather, to draw ourselves, and others to Him, to the cross of Jesus.
You say, how could this be, it doesn't make any sense.
Glad you asked, I was just hoping, and waiting for you to do so.
Look at our opening verse.
PROVERBS 16:4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.
Part B of this verse says, “Even the wicked for the day of evil.”
The wicked, meaning the wicked people.
So, the first part, “The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,” also pertains to people.
Yes, it means other things as well, but if the second part makes reference to humans, then the first part can mean people as well.
God has made everyone for their own purpose.
You see, as I said, we all are to worship the Lord, and point people to Christ, but we all must do it in our own individual way.
That's why some can sing, others can play instruments, still others can do public speaking, and so on.
But what about the less obvious gifts, the talents, and interests, that might not seem like anything.
They may seem silly to a lot of people.
Let's talk about that a little.
Let me give you some of my ideas.
How about the arts, I mean the non-performing arts, like drawing, painting, and so on.
I remember a man who came to our church, way back when I was maybe 8 years old.
He would play music, and paint beautiful oil paintings, with Christian themes.
He sold them, and witnessed to the people buying them
You could do that, with just about anything.
Our interests, and abilities are so diverse, more diverse than people, because all of us have several of them.
How about reading, fishing, gymnastics, quilting, sowing, hooking rugs, cooking and baking, wood crafts, mechanics, sky diving, spelunking, sailing, racing cars, bikes, rock climbing, or anything.
Raising animals, farming, classic cars, model railroading, collecting stuff, wearing cowboy boots, working-out, and the list goes on forever.
If we think about it long enough, and ask the Lord how to show us a way to use these things for Him, you will be amazed at the doors that will open up.
Now, some things are obviously not from God, like exotic dancing, drinking yourself under the table every night, and things like that.
I am willing to say though, that if you think about yourself, think about the things you do well, and the things you are interested in, you can find a way to do it for the glory of God.
You see, somebody, somewhere, has the same interests as you, and talking to them in a language they understand, may be the very thing that will draw them to Christ.
God doesn't like being stuffed into a building, and left there all week long.
Most people think of God as this old man image, living up in Heaven, and maybe looking down at his people when they are in church, being churchy.
I have been amazed at the people who find out I am a Christian, but I can talk fishing, guitars, cowboy boots, cars, planes, 60's music, classic rock, and a lot of other things.
Jesus said this about His own purpose.
LUKE 4:43 But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose."
JOHN 12:27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
He was talking about His upcoming crucifixion.
ACTS 13:36 "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay;
King David had a purpose.
We could go on, and on, but I think we are all getting the idea.
Look at yourself, and try not to be so religious, and rigid.
Take God, and yourself out of that churchy box, and discover your purpose, your own personal way to lift up the Lord.
ROMANS 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Find His purpose in your life, don't hide it, don't kill, or suppress it.
Don't belittle it.
Let it shine, let it grow, and find ways to point to God with it.
Somebody out there, needs you!