God’s Purpose For My Life

On Wednesday Ohio Governor John Kasich told reporters “Throughout my campaign I have always said the Lord may have another purpose for me.”

Kasich commented that those words always perplexed the pundits regarding his commitment in his quest for the Presidency. He said, “It shows to some degree how little they understand about life.”

The Governor then concluded his prepared remarks by announcing, “I have always said that the Lord has a purpose for me as he has for everyone. And as I suspend my campaign today, I have renewed faith, deeper faith, that the Lord will show me the way forward, and fulfill the purpose of my life.”

I don’t know Kasich’s religious affiliation. But he’s right about two things. (1) It was time for him to drop out of the race. Actually past time. (2) But more importantly, God does have a purpose for each of us.

Regarding God’s plan for man’s salvation in Christ, Paul speaks in Ephesians about the “purpose of His will.” He says that God’s purpose was eternal in its nature and was “accomplished in Christ” (Eph. 1:11, 3:11).

There is power in purpose. It gives meaning to life. Reduces frustration. Increases motivation. And allows for greater concentration. However, the only thing I know for sure about God’s purpose for my life, is what He has revealed in His Word, the Bible.

(1) God’s purpose is for me to be born again into His spiritual Family.

There are many metaphors in the Bible for the Christian. We are called Sheep. Soldiers. Servants. But none is more understandable or more accurate than the idea of family.

God wants to be our spiritual Father (2 Cor 6:18). Jesus Christ desires to be our elder brother. We are called to be family (Eph. 1:19). And we are born into this family through a spiritual birth (John 3:3-5; 1 Pet. 1:22-23).

We enjoy community and communion. We share a special relationship with God and each other. And we find a place to belong.

(2) God’s purpose is for me to praise Him.

The Psalmist said, “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.” (Ps. 34:3). Paul said he desired to magnify God in his body either in life or death.

There is an inborn urge in each person to worship. If we don’t worship Jehovah God, we will find something else to worship. It might be a job. Family. Money. Sports. Or even ourselves! But God wants us to worship Him.

Of course, God has a day designed for worship. Sunday. We join with others in the spiritual Family to worship God. But we also magnify and praise His name daily.

(3) God’s purpose is for me to become like Christ.

This is the personalized goal of discipleship. God wants every believer to grow up and become like Christ. Peter penned “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:”

While learning is important to spiritual growth, maturity is measured more by lifestyle. Character. Integrity.

(4) God’s purpose is for me to serve others.

God expects us to use our gifts, talents and opportunities to benefit and bless others. The Bible says, Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (I Pet 4:10).

In Bible times every member was a minister. The idea of just THE MINISTER in a church is not really Biblical. Elton Trueblood once wrote, “If you are a Christian, then you are a minister. A non-ministering Christian is a contradiction in terms.”

(5) God’s purpose is for me to be His messenger.

God is love. And He wants us to be like Him. And to share his message of life, light and love with the world.

Make God’s purpose your passion. Your pursuit. Your point for discipleship. Then the epitaph for your life can read as it did for David that “…he served God’s purpose in his own generation…”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman