What's Your Purpose?

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“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” -- Psalms 139:16

Recently, the national media has noted surveys showing more young Gen Z men than women are turning to faith. It’s a remarkable turn of events. These kids (I’m old enough to call them that) have discovered the favored modern philosophies—atheism, agnosticism, secular humanism and spirituality—fail to offer a true purpose for one’s life. 

Oh sure, there’s a job, career, fame, fortune, buying a home, maybe a spouse and family down the road; but those are all goals, not purposes. While many goals are admirable, what life purpose do they serve?

 Get a good job so I can eat. Goal

Get an education so I can get a good job. Goal

Get and education and a job so I can serve humanity. Goals with a Purpose.

Still, serving humanity is rather general. If you’re an atheist/agnostic/secular humanist, why do you need or want to serve other humans? Many would answer, “Well, it’s selfish not to.” 

Yes, it is selfish. But are you doing it from a place of “I need to dedicate my life to serving others,” or a place of, “Well, we should help others because selfishness looks bad.” (Especially on college applications and resumes.)

Many though, realize there’s more to life than what we see. They uneasily ask the universe for answers or question the great beyond. Answers to super-tough issues like where did evil come from? Does true evil exist? Is Satan a personage? What happens after I die? Why do innocents suffer, especially children? 

And the biggest one of all: If God is so good, why does He allow suffering?

A short devotional can only point you in the right direction, not answer the questions. God does have all the answers, but shares only the necessary ones.

God's purpose is to save through faith in His only son, Jesus Christ. A Christian’s purpose is to share the Gospel and live a life of godliness based on Christ. 

 A new year is upon us. Do you know what your purpose is?

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

Questions for Reflection:

1. Where does God makes His purposes clear?

2. Are there goals in your life that don't align with God's purposes?