My purpose or God's purpose?

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters . . ." Isaiah 55:1

We are all seekers, in this life we look to find something - meaning and purpose in our lives. It is a long time question which never seems to have one particular answer, depending on what schools of thoughts you ascribe to. We can only speculate what life's purpose is based on our experiences and biases based on our lenses. What if there was an easier way?

Since we are creations, we cannot tell ourselves what our purposes are since we are not the creators, getting the creator's manual would shed more light - Think about a television set trying to set itself up. alas!

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; ALL things were created BY him FOR him" Colossians 1:16

It has to start with God. The way we have approached this question since time began is to try and figure out what kind of life we want; or what sort of preferences we have for our future lives, and this becomes only a speculation and a tiresome procedure for many. We end up doing things in life which we don't like. We follow careers which are not in line with who we are as individuals, for the wrong reasons. We submit to the pressures of this life, and in turn live life(s) which are stressful and too fast to enjoy life's simple pleasures! The reason man fell from God's grace was because of this (Fall of Adam and Eve). We put ourselves as the centre of life, yet we have a Father who knows us before conception, and can give us these answers in order to make our life, more lighter, less stressful, utilize less effort and produce much more joy, peace, purpose and eternal happiness.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" Proverbs 19:21

His purpose for each of us fits into a bigger cosmic purpose. The moment we take things into our own hands, we spoil/retard the bigger plan. Think about a football team: A goal keeper's purpose is to prevent the ball from getting into the net. Defenders protect the goal keepers and fend them off from opposing strikers. Midfielders keep the heart of the team safe, by controlling the play and linking the defense and strikers. Strikers score goals! If any of those roles are tweaked, then it becomes something else. Perhaps a different formation/strategy each with a different purpose, or a different team altogether, maybe like a basketball team, with another different purpose. 

Paul's letter to the Romans says in Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose."

God's Purpose for us is GOOD and we need to respond to it. Paul says that we have been called to God's purpose, and when there is a call there has to be a response. How are we suppose to respond to this call of purpose? Submission to Him and to His will, which is in the Word of God. The prophet Isaiah compares His word to rain which falls from Heaven and waters the earth, and does not go back to the Heavens but instead it bears fruit on the ground, "it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater." Of His Word the Lord says: "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire." Isaiah 55:11

 How we respond to it is to do what God desires. 

 God's desire according to Philippians 2:2 says "then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."

Pine tree

 Isaiah continues on to say this about this response to God's purpose: "Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of the briers the myrtle will grow . . ." Isaiah 55:13

His purpose bears good fruit. Pine trees are beautiful trees, and are evergreen as compared to thornbushes - for obvious reasons :-) I looked up briers and myrtle trees and found out some interesting things. A brier is a bush, which has hardened roots whereas the myrtle tree is an evergreen tree whose roots have a fragrant oil. Aside from bearing fruit in all seasons and in drought, God's purpose softens our hearts so that His word can work more in our lives, producing a sweet smell and this fragrance is sweet to other people who we interract with on a day-to-day basis! How great is our God and His purpose.

 

As a summary:

Something to ponder on: How can I remind myself that living is FOR God and not myself, in this day and age when there are many advertisements to the contrary of this truth and despite the many contradicting ideologies/principles which many people live by (including Christians as well)?

Am I going to live for man or for God?