Purpose
by Ruth Chou Simons, Author of GraceLaced
You make known to me the path of life. Psalm 16:11
Have you ever tried to persevere in a difficult task without a clear purpose or objective? It’s unnerving, and discouragement always lurks about when we don’t know where we’re heading or why. Without purpose, our effort toward any finish line rests on our moment-by-moment feelings.
Life doesn’t always feel purposeful, and the clarity for that purpose isn’t always at our fingertips day to day.
Who made me? Why am I here? What is my purpose? These are questions that each of us asks when everyday rhythms feel monotonous and insignificant—or when life’s crossroads seem too significant, and we stretch to understand how we fit.
Our culture tells us that our purpose is to acquire all the best this life can offer and to seek our own pleasure like the rich fool in the parable in Luke 12: “Then I will say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!’ ” (verse 19 BSB). But Jesus called this thinking foolish. We are reminded instead that God “created all things, and by [His] will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:11) and that He declared to His people:
But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth (Exodus 9:16).
Created for God’s Glory
Simply put, you were created on purpose and for purpose. God, Who made you to be, is not passive about why you’re here. He takes pleasure in His creation (you!) and created you for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). It’s by Him, for Him, and to His glory that you exist (Romans 11:36)
Instead of finding our purpose in hoarding the best of this life on earth for our own pleasure within it, we’ve been freely given the best of eternal life through communion with Christ and His great pleasure in us.
Our Father made us, saved us, and sanctifies us daily to glorify Him…
as image bearers (Genesis 1:27)
as imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2)
as ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20)
as salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)
as doers of good works (Ephesians 2:10)
as disciple makers (Matthew 28:19)
None of these positions of purpose can exist apart from God’s provision to fulfill them. You and I have purpose today because He declares it. In the most mundane and the most magical seasons alike, our purpose does not change.
“What is the chief end of man?” asks the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. And succinctly, it answers: “The chief purpose for which man is made is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”
To glorify Him by loving Him… to glorify Him because we love Him.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
Excerpted from GraceLaced by Ruth Chou Simons. ©2017 by Ruth Chou Simons. Published by Harvest House Publishers.
Ruth Chou Simons is an artist, writer, entrepreneur, and speaker. As creator of the popular GraceLaced online shoppe, blog, and Instagram community, she shares scriptural truths daily through her hand-painted artwork and words. Ruth and her husband, Troy, live in New Mexico and are grateful parents to six sons—their greatest adventure.
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