Made for a purpose…

I must admit I have always been a person who is driven, focused and my dad gave me an extra dose of common sense which has led me well but didn’t serve much of a purpose before I became a christian. When I talk to people who don’t know God yet I normally end up saying at some point “my life has no purpose without God”. I know plenty of people try and find things to live for – family, work, fun, adrenaline or something pleasing but the bottom line I find is that if we evolved, we started off as an accident! A big bang that came out of nothing and over millions of years different things that have no significance whatsoever resulted in human beings being an end product. Wow I’m so excited

Whereas when I believe that I was created, I have to believe that my creator had a plan when he made me. After all, when was the last time you spent your effort to create something that you didn’t want, like or have a purpose for! We make things for a reason, well, God makes people for a reason and therefore He made YOU for a reason! OK, now I’m actually getting a bit excited

‘What did he make me for?’ I hear you thinking, well, we all have a general purpose which is to have a relationship with him. God created man kind so that He could enjoy a relationship with us. When he made Adam he would walk in Eden with him, talking to him about ’stuff’ (not ipod, politics kinda stuff but more like, ‘oh God I found this creepy creature today that you made and called it a spider’ kinda stuff).

At the same time, God calls and sets people aside for certain tasks. Think of David and his calling to be king, Joseph and being used to save his family and nation. Peter as the rock for which Christ built his church and the most powerful example of all, Jesus! He came to give his life for ours! Now I’m really excited

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

I believe that God has a plan and a purpose for all of our lives, some of which he is prepared to reveal to us before we live it out. “He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3) God is trying to guide us down a path, a narrow one at that, so we need to be listening to what he is guiding us to!

Something I have always tried to live to which I will gladly share with everyone – If your going to follow God, then follow Him with everything you have!!! If you are going to say you believe in Him then let your whole life be an example of that.

Let me explain, when we purchased our toaster, we did so for a reason, to make toast! Now if my toaster starts acting like it’s my heating system and tries to heat up my home, I am going to end up with a cold house and an expensive electricity bill because my toaster is fantastic at turning bread to toast, but is completely ineffective at heating up my home.
In the same way, if God has made you to a MP that brings His kingdom to parliament, then don’t focus all your efforts at friendship evangelism in your call centre job. If you are called to develop drama performances that lead thousands to Christ, don’t let your ambition be to become a Hollywood star.

Now not every path is a straight one, sometimes God allows you to do some things first that build in you character, give you experience and make an important difference on the way. The important thing is that those are ‘on the way’ and your not heading down a different path.

Dream about what God wants to do with your life, the unlimited effects He can have through you, and then live it!