(This is the fourth in a series of blog posts inspired by The Chosen, a multi-season series about the life of Jesus and His followers. Each post will highlight a quote sourced from Season 1. Previous posts include:
- Chosen Reflections: I Have Called You By Name
- Chosen Reflections: The Difference
- Chosen Reflections: Provision
Do you know your purpose in life?
In the third episode of season one of The Chosen, Jesus spent time teaching a group of young children. When they asked about His job as a craftsman, He told them, “Everyone has a much larger job than just their trade.”
Setting aside your occupation or career, do you know what your “larger job” is? Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t simply take people to heaven immediately after they receive the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ? Why does He leave us here?
These questions have been answered in a variety of ways through the centuries. More than 350 years ago, the Westminster Shorter Catechism was written in a Q & A format and the first entry is:
Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.
Glorifying God is a theme in Scripture. Biblical support for this includes:
- Isaiah 43:7, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (ESV).
- 1 Corinthians 6:20, “Glorify God in your body.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV), “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
If you’re still not sure about your purpose, here are other suggestions, also taken from Scripture:
- We’re to share the gospel, discipling and baptizing new believers across national boundaries (Matthew 28:19).
- We’re to bear fruit for Christ (John 15:16). What is this fruit? Some say it’s new believers resulting from sharing the gospel. Others believe it’s the fruit of the Holy Spirit, identified in Galatians 5:22-23): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
- Ecclesiastes 12:13, “fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.”
And yet another jam-packed passage is Philippians 2:1-4 (ESV):
“If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
So the next time you and I find ourselves wondering about our purpose, we can start with these verses. They’ll keep us busy for a while!
What other Bible verses can you find to add to this list?
Powerful message. God has uniquely designed each of us with a special purpose. I pray we all glorify Him today and every day.
Truly, we ALL have a. purpose! And when we learn to stop listening to what the world tells us, what ad messages and dark whispers steer us toward, and instead train our hearts and minds to listen only to God, that purpose becomes clearer and clear until we SEE. Thank you for this, Ava! Your writing blesses me so much.
I had to laugh because that is what I wrote about for my blog this week. I love when God uses us to communicate a similar message to the world. Great post Ava. Keep up the great work.
This is an excellent message, Ava! Thank you for quoting from the Westminster Catechism that we are to glorify God and enjoy him forever. We could add all of the catechism to our list of things we’re supposed to be doing for the Lord and in our relationship with him. I would add this verse, since you asked for additions: Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Great minds think alike, Melinda. I used that verse in the next post in the series!
We definitely have enough from these verses to keep us busy. Maybe we can sum them up with the greatest commandment: Love God with your everything! And then the next one: Love others. I’m thankful God’s Word is so clear on many things that matter. May I continue to love God and others with less faltering as I walk each day. Thank you, Ava.
Ava, I really enjoyed the episode of The Chosen with Jesus and the children. I pray to bring God glory!