My Purpose

What is my purpose? That is a question I'm sure we all - Christians and non-Christians alike - ask ourselves from time to time. We want to make sure the lives we live are worthwhile, and part of that is knowing what our purpose here on earth really is.

As Christians, the question is even more important for us. We want to do the will of the Father, to walk in obedience to Him. As such, many of us worry and agonize over figuring out what the will of God is for our lives - what our purpose is in His plan.

I like things simple, so here's what I think stated as simply as possible - our purpose is to be like Christ. That's it. That is the sum and total of Christianity. To walk like Him, talk like Him and act like Him. In every way, in every aspect of our lives, to put on His character.

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. - 1 John 2:6

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. - Romans 13:14

I was speaking with a friend of mine a week or so ago. He was saved several years ago and was told by some that he was destined to be a preacher, while others told him he was destined to be a teacher or a prophet. You name it and it was probably laid on his shoulders. I know that he struggled with those expectations. As we were discussing this subject - that our only purpose is to be like Christ - he said to me " I wish someone had told me that six years ago".

As I was speaking with him I was reminded of the story in the Scriptures (John 6) where the people asked Jesus a question:

Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

That's just like us, isn't it? We always seem to focus on the results - the works. If we're not careful, we'll get so caught up in our own and others expectations for our life that we'll miss what's really important. We'll put pressure on ourselves to fulfill those expectations and miss what it is that Christ really wants us to do. That's why I like this story so much, because Jesus' answer takes the pressure off.

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

Just believe. Just focus on Him. Everything else will come as a result of that in His good time.