The three most important days of our life: The day we’re born, the day we’re born again and the day we discover why.
A greater question that has an existential answer gives direction to why you’re here. Christian or not stay with me for at least this initial article and then decide whether you’ll be back or not.
Ok. I’ll get to the point, or rather the question.
Jesus asked the question of his disciples in Mark chapter 8, verses 27-29. And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” (Emphasis added)
Who we believe Jesus Christ to be is the most important question in life to know the answer to? That answer determines the discoverability purpose of our lives. No other question you will ever answer has the impact of this question.
My Story and My Answer
I was around the age of 12 when I stumbled upon a pornographic magazine in our home. That moment changed the course of my life forever. In a moment how I viewed life, women, self, life, and others began a slow dangerous, and twisted path that nearly led to me taking my own life at age 42.
Pornography became my drug and medication of choice for physical and primarily emotional pain. I experienced bullying in various forms as a child and adult from various sources. Many without intention, but certainly some quite willingly inflicted emotional and physical wounds.
I married the most grace-filled woman at age 24. Nearly 34 years later I’m married to the same stunning woman. We are parents to 3 adult daughters that we don’t deserve but thank God for daily!
But there was a time I feared I was going to lose them all. That began when Julie discovered a nearly two-year-long online relationship with another woman.
That was in late 2003 and it was during this time period, thoughts of ending my life became a planned way out.
But God
I’d realized I needed help when my depression was so severe, I literally could not make myself eat. I was losing weight at a frightening speed.
In March of 2004, I was part of a stage crew at a Christian event in our small town. I met new friends and began making changes I knew I needed to.
The path was being paved for me to confront my belief about the person of Jesus.
Following the Christian event, a concert, I knew something was different within me. I could not readily identify it until the next morning. As I sat on the couch listening over and over to two particular songs from the concert the night before, my heart broke. Snapped like a twig.
That morning the answer became clearer than ever before. Jesus was and is my Savior! I didn’t simply invite Jesus into my heart and life, I quite literally begged him to come in and take over. He did and continues to do the good work he began in me.
The call on your life and mine is revealed
It’s actually clearly and simply revealed what God’s call on every Christ-followers life. Jesus himself spoke it in Matthew 28:18-20. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Emphasis added)
Life’s call revealed and a promise given; Go make disciples and the promise from Jesus to always be with me on this mission and our given purpose. The call for all of us is to make disciples for Jesus Christ. For those who are followers of Jesus, we know this and believe it to be true.
I’ve found meaning, purpose, and how to live out that purpose in a relationship with Jesus. So, can you.
God will not force himself on us. It’s by grace through faith we find salvation in Jesus the Christ. It cannot be earned. None of us is good enough to do that. It’s why Jesus went to the cross. To pay a price you and I cannot. A price we owe but are incapable of paying.
A Good Work Prepared – Your unique purpose
Ephesians 2:10 10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Before our birth, God-ordained and created for each of us good works to do. As we pursue our relationship with Jesus, God will reveal those works to us. It takes intentional effort and persistence to discover and clarify that purpose, that good work.
The journey to discover or re-discover the God-given purpose that has been uniquely prepared for you awaits. Through a process that challenges you to interpret your life in a way you likely never have, your purpose is discoverable.
What Gets in the Way?
The list of what distracts us from discovering our purpose or even catching a glimpse of it is lengthy. Here are a few of the more common sources of distraction.
- Our JOB (just over broke)
- Illness
- Addictions
- Other’s expectations for us
- Relationships (good and not so good)
- Faulty belief systems
- Emotional wounds
Maybe you can identify your purpose killer in this list, or not. The important truth is that you do have a real God-given purpose for your life. A purpose that only you can truly accomplish. This purpose will bring you fulfillment and more importantly help others as the primary by-product.
Our purpose is not primarily for us, but it can and will fulfill us in so many ways.
And right now, I invite you into the journey.
This is the good work God has called me to. It’s an honor to serve Him, by serving you.
I’d love to hear from you. If you have an interest in finding out more about how the process works, please reach out, and let’s have a short visit.
I’m still a student of this journey myself.
Courageously forward!
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