Recently, our attention has turned to people striving toward a greater purpose. We’ve seen hundreds of Olympians in Rio who trained for many hours with the intention of performing at the highest level. On the other hand, we have two political candidates vying for the White House with the goal of becoming the leader of the United States.
No matter what our purposes are, they drive our actions. Purposes shape who we become. In 2 Corinthians, Paul says that since we have such great hope in Christ, we are “being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.” When we take on Christ, our purposes begin to align with the purposes of the Spirit. We will no longer seek to please ourselves with worldly desires but begin to strive to fulfill the mission that Christ passed on to the church.
Though we desire to seek God, we often find other purposes driving our lives. Whether through guilt, anger, materialism or personal happiness, we will never be fulfilled, nor will we be fulfilling God’s desire for us. When we accept Christ’s purpose, we spread his name throughout the earth, so that others will grow to love him as we do.
Individually we all have a purpose that is part of the greater purpose of the church. How will you partake in the mission to which we have been called? Will you travel to remote lands and live among people completely unlike you? Will you go to the cities and proclaim him to those with whom you work? Wherever the Spirit calls you, go.
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” Frodo Baggins, the most unlikely person for the fate of the world to rest upon, receives the one ring. When he learns that the ring is pure evil and bound to the dark lord Sauron, he is distraught that he will bear the burden. Still, he knows he must take the ring. Frodo doesn’t know how far he will go, nor is he aware of the journey ahead, but he knows his purpose is to take the road before him. Frodo knows his purpose is to bear the ring.
Frodo said to Gandalf that he wishes the journey did not have to happen in his time. Gandalf replies, “So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
In the same way, we may learn the purpose God has for us is nothing like what we had expected, but what will you do with the time he has given to you? Let us take the roads with purpose that God has set before us, knowing that he will carry us through even the most difficult times.
Be ambassadors of God, be teachers of the word, be children of the heavenly king, be Christ in the darkness. Seek purpose.
