Never in history has there existed so many products and services marketed in
getting people to buy what they need or at least what they “think” they need. Granted, the majority of the products we find are useful in helping us be more efficient with our time and resources. Anything from toasters to sport utility vehicles are a welcomed commodity in our lives. If we stop and realize that these “things” were actually thought up, designed, and manufactured with a purpose, how much more are WE (who are made in God’s image and likeness) created with a purpose. Isaiah 45:18,19, says, “For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create in vain, Who formed it to be inhabitated: I am the Lord, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.” What these scriptures tell me is that GOD DOES NOT CREATE ANYTHING IN VAIN (including you and me!!). Everything (and I mean everything) that God does, He does with purpose. In Romans 8:28, it says, “And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.” “Purpose” is derived from “prothesis” in the Hebrew which means “before” (pro) and “a place” (thesis). It suggests a deliberate and advance plan. God has a specific purpose and plan for you and me, which He has set into motion and called to be, before we were even born!! Let us look at how we need to 1.) realize, 2.) recognize, 3.) respond to, 4.) resolve, and 5.) run with the purpose God has for us.
1. REALIZE - Isaiah 46:10,11, says, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes my counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I HAVE PURPOSED IT; I will also do it.” We need to understand that before God “starts” something, He has already finished it!!
For example, before any SUV is displayed for sale, the manufacturer first decides what the consumers need and want. It is then engineered in a computer to create the look and design of the vehicle with all of its features. Then it is sent to the manufacturing plant for construction. In actuality, the SUV was finished before it even went into construction and placed on the parking lot. Even so, realize that God has placed you on this earth at this time, because you are needed by the people around you and He has placed certain features (desires) in you for you to fulfill and accomplish in your life.
2. RECOGNIZE - To “recognize” means to “to know to be something that has been perceived before or to perceive or acknowledge or accept the validity or reality of.” We are not only to realize that “Yeah, I was born to accomplish some things in life,” but we are seek to know what those “things” are. Eph. 2:10, says, “For we are His workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” “Workmanship” in this verse signifies that which is manufactured, a product, a design produced by an artist. Before we came to know Christ, our lives may not have had rhyme or reason, but since we have accepted Christ, God has brought balance, purpose and order. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (or masterpiece); old things have passed away, behold, all things have become NEW.” 2nd Corinthians 5:17. Let’s seek to recognize what God wants to accomplish through our lives. We are to live NOT to ourselves, but for Him who has given His life for us so that we can walk in His life and fulfill the good works He predestined for us to do.
3. RESPOND - Once we know that God has created us for a purpose, we need to respond to His calling. Many times, either we don’t seek to know what that is or if we do know (by praying and earnestly seeking God), we often procrastinate in pursuing God’s plans for our lives. We may come up with excuses such as, “I don’t really know if this is God” or “I don’t have time
to get involved in ministry” or “I’m not capable of doing this” or just plain “I don’t want to.” We don’t need to be like Moses who gave God excuses or like Jonah that ran from God, because we know that eventually they obeyed God anyway. As for Jonah, he learned the hard way. Let us respond to God as the Prophet Isaiah did when God asked him, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’ And He said, ‘Go and tell this people. . . .’” Isaiah 6:8,9. At first, Isaiah did not feel worthy, but unclean (as should we), but God does the purging and the equipping as we allow Him. He does not ask for “perfect” vessels, just willing ones. I pray our response to God is, “HERE AM I LORD, SEND ME!!”
4. RESOLVE - Once we have realized, recognized and responded to God and said, “Yes, Lord,” we need to resolve in our heart to do it. To resolve, means “to make a FIRM decision about; to decide or express by formal vote; to remove or dispel any doubts.” Like Daniel, let us be determined to accomplish what God has asked us to do despite of fear, peer pressure, our environment, or anything else that tells us we have to compromise. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself . . .” Daniel 1:8. Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, only you will be responsible to God for your actions or in-actions with what He has given you. EVERY single one us have been entrusted by God with gifts and have been called to use them. Don’t let fear or anything else deter you from being obedient to God. Resolve to accomplish God’s purposes in life one step at a time. Be determined that you “CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” Philippians 4:13.
5. RUN - All there is left to do now is to RUN!!! In Hebrews 12:1,2, it says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 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. . .” Be encouraged today that God has marked out a race before you that only you can run. At times, it will get tiring and hard, but if we look to Christ and draw strength from God, His word and His Spirit and keep keeping on, we will reach the finish line. Let us be able to say as the Apostle Paul did, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2nd Timothy 4:7.
There is no better life goal than to know we have accomplished what we were born to do and were obedient to our God. REALIZE that you were born with God’s purposes in You. RECOGNIZE what those purposes are. RESPOND to God with a positive attitude. RESOLVE in your heart to accomplish them. Take off from the starting line and if you have already, pace yourself, and RUN till your race is over or till Jesus comes!!
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