Purpose, Will, Calling

Recently (in the last five to ten years), there has been quite a buzz about "purpose." What is purpose and how do we know what it is? Am I fulfilling my purpose? I think there's a difference between purpose and calling. Everyone has the same purpose - whether or not they realize it and pursue it. We all exist to glorify God - that is our purpose. Seeing that truth come to fruition may appear differently (on a practical level) in different people's lives - but man's fundamental purpose is undeniably universal. Calling is that practical outworking of purpose - the HOW of purpose fulfillment.

Often I think we as Christians spend too much time trying to "figure out our calling" or following "ten easy steps to discovering our purpose" instead of doing the things we KNOW are the will of God for His followers. Would you rather "be called" to a life of comfort instead of a life of service? The heart of God is laid out for us in His Word. How amazing that we can know Him in this way.

So, what do we know we ought to do? Christ followers are called to many things...a few come to mind:

*love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind
*love your neighbor as yourself
*care for orphans and widows
*give with a cheerful heart
*submit to rulers and authorites
*draw near to the throne of grace
*exhort one another
*keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
*ask for wisdom
*count it all joy when you face trials
*show no partiality
*guard your heart
*draw near to God
*use gifts to edify the church
*do not be overcome by evil
*put on the full armor of God
*do not be anxious
*do not be afraid
*give thanks always
*submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
*honor your parents
*love your enemies
*forgive one another
*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus


The life Jesus calls us to is radical. It is HARD. Everything within us wants to serve ourselves. In the book, Intruments in the Redeemer's Hands, Paul David Tripp says that we really pray, "my will be done" instead of "thy will be done." I am guilty of this. I want to be king. This self-love is the most practical and prevelant form of idolatry in the 21st century.

These are a few verses that come to mind which specify what the "will of God" is.

1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, your holiness: that you abstain from sexual imorality

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil

See Colossians 3:12-17 for a full picture of what a disciple of Christ looks like. The charge in this passage is insane! We have been called to such a high standard. We have been called out of darkness (Col. 1:13-14) and into a new way of living.

I am humbled knowing that the Creator of the universe desires the redemption of my heart - AND has made a way for this to happen. Wow.

Because our lives are not our own, may we be quick to love others this way:

"Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
-Proverbs 31:8-9

Let's PUT ON LOVE together