Our Purpose
And also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives.
So it is evident that it was essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful (sympathetic) and faithful High Priest in the things related to God, to make atonement and propitiation for the people’s sins.
For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried). He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore and being exposed to suffering].
Hebrews 2:15, 17-18
We were in bondage when we came to Christ, but He sets us free. Now, we are free to live our lives with purpose. What most of us don’t understand is that a purposeless life leads to physical, emotions, mental, and spiritual stress. This can eventually lead to disorders, such as depression, headaches, and stomach aches. Living a life with purpose can relieve depression and minimize headaches, which I know from experience.
Our Dreams
To one he gave five talents [probably about $5,000], to another two, to another one – to each in proportion to his own personal ability. Then he departed and left the country.
Matthew 25:15
God gives each of us a purpose (dream). He gives us what He knows we can handle; as we use our talents, he increases our opportunities. He will only give us what we can handle. This is why we need to do our best in every job. It is important to use our talents and actively pursue God’s purpose for our lives.
He who received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he gained five talents more.
And likewise he who had received the two talents – he also gained two talents more.
But he who had received the one talent went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
Matthew 25:16-19
The first two took their talents and increased them, but the third servant didn’t use his talent at all. Actually, the third servant buried his talent in the ground. Was the master happy with the third servant?
But his master answered him, You wicked and lazy and idle servant! Did you indeed know that I reap where I have not sowed and gather [grain] where I have not winnowed?
Then you should have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what was my own with interest.
So take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
Matthew 25:26-28
God says we are wicked, lazy and idle when we do not use our talents. Through the Bible God tells us to not be lazy. When we neglect our dreams and talents, we are guilty of laziness. Every day, we need to work on fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.
When I was fifteen, God gave me a dream to be a teacher of the Word. It has been 22 years since I started dreaming. There have only been a few opportunities for me to teach. Last January, God spoke to me about my idleness. He said, I was at a crossroads and I needed to choose which direction I was going to go in. Suddenly, I realized that if I didn’t start using my talents, I would have a lot of regrets. Did I really want to get to the end of my life and feel unfulfilled? Absolutely not!
God went from allowing me to teach one class to teaching two, and then suddenly I had three. Suddenly, in September, I was teaching four Bible studies. Will I stop now? No way, I know God has a special plan for my life. I’m giving God my future, and I know he will increase my opportunities as I diligently pursue my purpose.
God doesn’t have big or small ministries: One person can have a job cleaning a church. He may pray as he cleans. While he’s cleaning the toilets, he may pray for each person that sits upon them. Maybe he will sing praises as he cleans the sanctuary and pray for the pastor as he polishes the pulpit. When he/she meets people at the store, he gives them a warm smile or witnesses boldly to the cashier. God doesn’t see this ministry as any less then the pastor who gets up each Sunday and preaches a salvation message.
Your Dream
· Do you have a dream?
· What is your dream?
· How long has it been since God gave you the dream?
· What steps have you taken toward your dream?
· Have you given up on your dream?
· What is keeping you from living your dream?
· Do you have an accountability partner? This is someone who will frequently check on your progress and make sure you’re fulfilling your dreams.
No Dream
· Ask God to give you a dream.
· Read a book on purpose (Myles Monroe is an example of an author that teaches on purpose).
· Read the Bible as much as possible (try to read every day), and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to God’s purpose for your life.
· Do all your tasks diligently and joyfully.
Be open to the training God will put you through. Maybe God has another purpose for the janitor above. It could be that when he is faithful with his current duties, he will be given even more. For example, a door could be opened for him to become a missionary or an evangelist. God may give him the opportunity to pastor a church. The key is that whatever this janitor does, he gives it his all. God always rewards him for his faithfulness.
Just remember to do everything with a happy and content heart. God is more interested in your attitude and heart condition than what you do, because most of what we do is training. When we do our job with a pure heart, God will help us with the rest.
My Challenge to you: Pursue your purpose this Monday morning and be happy with each opportunity, whether big or small, that comes your way.