Often, we are concerned with how others perceive us or even with what we want to achieve in this life. Ultimately, we want to build something that we can be “proud” of. We want “to be satisfied” with the work we have done.
One thing is for sure: we DO NOT want to live a life of nothing. We don’t want to waste our lives. We don’t want to lack purpose.
The sense of purpose is HUGE. It is what drives us and gives us motivation to keep going.
If you don’t have that sense of purpose, where do you get it from?
This is a question that was on my heart for a while. After you’ve been disappointed over and over, haven’t accomplished any of your goals, and then realize you have nothing to show for your hard work over the years, you begin to lose sight of any purpose. Your flame diminishes.
After pouring my heart out to the Lord and also to my husband, I have learned a few things:
1. Your sense of purpose comes from your identity. Who are you?
2. Your identity comes from your Creator/your God. Who is your God/god?
3. Your God makes a name for you and calls you by name. Who does your God say you are?
Listen, if your God is not THE Creator of the universe and every living thing on it, then your identity will not stand.
If you’re going to choose a god to follow, make sure you are following the real One. You don’t want to:
1. Waste your time and energy (aka your life) following & worshipping a false god.
2. Suffer in vain. (Unfortunately, pain is part of this life >> due to the current human sinful nature.)
As I read Genesis 11 and 12, I realized that the people who were rebellious sought and strived to make a name for themselves. These people don’t acknowledge Him in all their ways and are prideful.
In Genesis 11:4, people decide that they want to build a very high tower into the heavens. They want to make a name for themselves. The Lord then confuses their language to stop them from accomplishing this. What they were planning to do and what they were doing was obviously not the will of the Lord.
On the other hand, God’s people seek God and strive to please Him (aka obey Him). A man or woman of God will make plans in their heart, and the Lord God will order their steps. The Lord makes a name for His people.
In Genesis 12, God is telling Abram to leave his home and promises to make his name great. Abram was obedient to the Lord, acting on his faith in the Lord. Further, God attributes this to Abram as righteousness.
From these two scenarios, we can learn a couple of things:
1. If you are focused on yourself and what you want without acknowledging the Lord in your plans, you are more than likely not in God’s will. It is you acting in pride because you are not allowing God to be in His rightful place in your life: as LORD. Here you are, your own god.
Whereas,
2. If you walk with the Lord and obey Him (aka have faith in Him & fellowship with Him), God will direct your steps and bless you. He will give you favor in the sight of others and make your name great. Here God is LORD and your God.
Your “identity in Christ” means that you will see, hear, walk, and act from the standpoint of being a Christian. Your identity is being a follower of Christ, a disciple of Christ, and a son/daughter of God. So, study the Scriptures regarding what you have to do to be a follower, disciple, and child of God.
How can you learn that?
1. Spend time in prayer (conversation with God).
2. Read the Holy Bible.
It doesn’t end there. Talk to God all day.
If you’re at the grocery store and you’re unsure if you should buy the apple or the pear, ask God. It might sound or feel silly, BUT why should it? If you’re indecisive about the apple or the pear and your mom is with you, you’d ask her and not feel odd about it.
(Also, for all you know, there might be a recall on the apple, and so God will tell you to take the pear. God saves lives all the time.)
I challenge you today to begin reading the Scriptures for at least 15 minutes every day. Have a pen and paper with you, or get a journal Bible. Seek the Lord diligently. If you do this, the Lord will reward you.
The more you feed your soul, spirit, and body with the Word of God, the more you will be transformed. In this, you will then be able to walk in righteousness, know the truth, and live a fulfilling life as well as inherit eternal life >>> Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
The Scriptures say that God’s people perish for a lack of knowledge. The good news is that you can both study the Will of the Lord and cultivate a relationship with Him. As you do this, your mind will be renewed and your heart will be replaced, therefore your soul restored. As this transformation happens in you, your will and preferences will also change. The desires of your heart will be aligned with the will of the Lord.
This does, in fact, mean that you will have to be vulnerable and surrender all to the Lord. You will learn to trust in the Lord and lean on His understanding.
It can be scary, but let’s face the truth: We have very little control over what happens as it is. We may as well trust in the very God that created us and loves us.
Let me know your thoughts.
Bendiciones <3
