On Purpose
“Did you do that on purpose?” When we ask someone this question, we mean to ask if they did something intentionally. Did they intend to do what they did, or were their words or actions thoughtless?
God created each of us on purpose. You have a reason for being. Psalm 139:13-14 speaks of God’s intention in our formation:
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. (NIV)
The psalmist says, Lord, you created me and everything I am about with a specific purpose. From my very core, you began your design. You put all the pieces of me together, and each of your designs is amazing. Please remember this when you feel like you lack a purpose or identity.
The psalmist goes on to say,
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be. (139:15-16, NIV)
Nothing about you surprises your creator. Each day is on record before you are born. This whole psalm acknowledges that not a thing happens in our lives that God is not already aware of. Our response to purpose should be to live into it. When we have a purpose, we have a reason for being. When we lose our purpose, we might question why we exist. Please remember that if God created you with a purpose, then you have not lost that purpose; you have simply lost sight of that purpose. How can you regain that vision?
Practice what you are good at. The more we practice what we are good at, the better we become at doing it. The better we become at doing something, the more people notice what we have to offer. We often enjoy doing those things we are good at because we hear from others that they matter. So, if you play a musical instrument, practice it at an assisted living center or in a local church. If you are good at art, practice it by volunteering in a local school art class or creating banners at a place of worship. If you are good at math, help others with their taxes or volunteer to count the offering at church. God knows what you are good at, and you probably do too. If you do not, purposefully speak with those around you to ask them what talents they see you possess.
Remember, your identity is not what you do but who you are. We can quickly lose sight that we are God’s children, with or without a formal role. The Bible says we are “dearly loved” (Colossians 3:12, Ephesians 5:1). We are dearly loved on purpose. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave [on purpose, intentionally] his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV). Choose to believe in His love for you, on purpose, because he gave his only son for you.
Bring your best to the table. Consistency of character is essential no matter who is watching or what we are doing. We, God’s dearly loved children, can imitate the character traits that Jesus Christ models. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are part of God’s character. We need to purposefully imitate these traits, striving to be the best version of ourselves in every situation.
Listen to God’s leading. The Message interprets Proverbs 3:6 as “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God!” The writer of this proverb tells us to turn to God intentionally. And Psalm 139 reminds us God is always near by writing,
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast. (7-10, NIV)
God is with us at all times. Listen to his leading on purpose.
Fellowship with one another often has to be practiced on purpose. Sometimes, we may not feel like going to church, but being in the presence of others following Jesus helps remind us how dearly loved we are and how much we have to offer this world. Join us for worship at Connections Church. Where we seek to offer what we are good at to bless others, live as God’s dearly loved children, remind ourselves through hearing the word preached to bring our best to the table and listen to God’s voice speaking to us through community.
Erin M. Reynolds, Ph.D.
linkedin.com/in/drerinmreynolds
Friend of Connections Church
