Rick Warren’s 2002 book THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE was a hit, selling over 50 million copies in over 85 languages. People are looking for purpose! Another way we say it is ‘What is the Meaning of life’?
Have you noticed how many books and movies ask the big question:
“What is the meaning of life?”
People don’t ask it every day, but when you hit the bottom—when you envy people in the cemetery—you will ask about the meaning of life. And also when you are at the top, such as a wedding day or the day your first child is born, and you know you are the happiest person on earth, then you ask–why me? Why am I so blessed? Why did God do this for me? What is my purpose? What is the meaning of my life?
There are dozens of excellent scriptures that address this deep question. But one of the best is Ephesians 2:10.
“For we are HIS creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10.
So what does that mean? What is the meaning of life?
1. “We are His.”
Another verse says “you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). You belong to God. Do you see yourself that way? You do NOT own you. Your mind belongs to God. Your heart? God’s. Your soul? God’s. Your body? God’s. Your future? God’s. Your education? God’s. Your talent? God’s. Your work time? God’s. Your free time? God’s. Your health? God’s. You have to see yourself that way. It’s all about Him. Are you trying to please Him? Do you pray about your decisions? Do you ask yourself WWJD? You belong to Him. He bought you with His blood. You can no longer simply do what you want. You are HIS. He owns you.
2.We were created to do good works through the power of God—works God planned for us long ago.
God owns you and He made you to serve Him. Not only that, He planned your path long ago. He created a set of tasks for you, and He crafted you to complete those tasks. That means He knows your gifts, talents, and interests, and made you to complete a set of tasks created just for you. You and the good works you were made for fit together perfectly. No one on earth is as perfectly prepared for those tasks as you are—and no works will so perfectly fit your unique combination of strengths and talents as the works God made for you. He made you, he knows you, he loves you, and long ago he designed a life of very specific good works with you in mind.
So what’s the secret? You have to walk with Him every day. Pray and read the Bible or you will miss some (possibly many) of the things He has planned for you. Why? Because you have an enemy who is working every day to steer you of course. You have to live your life in prayer and in the word or you will miss God’s perfect plan for you.
Dear God, thank you for loving me! Help me remember that you bought me with a price and I am not my own. I am yours. I submit all of me to you: my work, my talents, my hobbies, my health habits, my free time, my Bible reading. I know that you own me. Take control of my life more and more every day. Thank you for planning good works for me. Help me walk in your path and discover and complete every good work you have planned for me. Help me to be grateful every day for the works you give me to do. I love you, Jesus.
ΑΩ
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