The Purpose of Life

Rainy day all day Sunday. Tornado watch at night. Perfect day to paint, and ponder the purpose of life. I do that now and then. It is interesting that if you do a study of what the Bible says is the purpose of life, it never talks about our purpose....but finding and fulfilling God's purpose for us. Here is a smattering of those verses:

Psalm 138:8 

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Romans 12:2 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 8:28 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Job 22:21 

“Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you.

Habakkuk 2:3 

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Matthew 28:19-20 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 6:33 

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Jeremiah 1:5 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
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Get the point? Our purpose is to do God's will - to follow His purpose for us. He never seems to ask us to go out and seek contentment, or riches, or fame, or specific employment. We are told to discern His Will, to agree with Him, to see His vision, to make disciples for Him, to seek His kingdom, and to follow His appointments. The perspective of our purpose is completely turned on its head. Our purpose is His purpose...and somehow, that is the way to true contentment and meaning. We are to so completely identify with God and His will for us that it becomes our will, our desire, our purpose. We are consecrated from conception for a holy purpose. This boggles my mind. Especially since I spent most of my life trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. That was the wrong pursuit. I should have been wondering what does God want to do with my life? My job is not to thwart His perfect plan.

Rainy days and Sundays are good for thoughts like this.
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Psalm 73:26

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

1 Corinthians 10:31 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Ephesians 1:11 

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,