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“I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.”
When we hear the words “meaning” and “purpose,” we usually equate it to doing something for God, as if the reason God created you was to do a job for him. I say this all the time, God gave you life because he wanted you as His child, plain and simple. He intentionally placed you in the earth so he could be your Father. That’s WHY you are here.
But now that you’re here, and the world is in the state it’s in, God has assignments for you. You complete those assignments from a place of acceptance in Him, not for acceptance. You fulfill those assignments and missions from a place of security in Christ, not to try and hold on to salvation. You walk out the things He is leading you to do from a place of righteousness and holiness in Him, not to better your status in His eyes. He loves you, and He accepts you, period. How you live from then on is your choice.
Living with Meaning
Christ has set us free, but too many people abuse their freedom in Christ. We live selfish and unproductive lives. We have all kinds of reasons and excuses to be selfish, but they’re still excuses.
It’s time to let go of the excuses. It’s time to move beyond the pain and offenses of the past. It’s time to quit blaming others for your life's condition and answer the call of God on your life.
I think one of the reasons we never take our place in the Body of Christ is because we spend too much time avoiding responsibility.
We pursue happiness, but we avoid responsibility. We work hard to make our lives easier but end up empty and unfulfilled. We worry about our future to the point that it paralyzes us, but we never truly embrace the call of God on our lives.
God’s calling on your life is not necessarily formal ministry, but it is some facet of service within his church. God is building his church, and it is very creative. Church is not just buildings, organized programs, and staff positions. That is one manifestation of his church, but his church is also invisible in many ways. You may be an invisible member in his body, but just as important as the pastor with 10,000 members in his congregation.
My point is this; God has assignments for you. Are you seeing them through? Are you actively planning and executing the missions and assignments he has given you? We all have them. One of mine is to facilitate regular worship gatherings in the form of Forward Church, where I teach the Bible nearly every Sunday. I love it!
That’s an obvious assignment. Yours may not be as obvious. Your assignment may be to be a light at your job. If so, do it intentionally. Yours might be to give generously to anti human-trafficking ministries. Yours may be to feed the homeless or be a blessing to widows. Whatever it may be, do it with all your heart.
I have been a lead pastor for 12 years now. I have talked to so many people who are waiting for life’s circumstances to change to follow God. They don’t say it that way, but that’s what’s happening. Most people aren’t fulfilling their role in the body of Christ because they don’t want the responsibility.
Are you fulfilling your kingdom responsibilities?
Embrace Responsibility
I’d like to give you three quotes from clinical psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson. I don’t endorse Dr. Peterson’s spiritual beliefs, but I do value his insight into human behavior. He has seen thousands of patients over decades and identifies the main thing people need in order to live productive lives - meaning.
Meaning. A reason to get out of bed. A meaningful life focus helps people heal from the past. Living with meaning empowers people to overcome adversity and pain. Peterson says that the pursuit of happiness is nice, but it’s a luxury many can’t afford.
“It’s a luxury to pursue happiness, it’s a moral obligation to pursue meaning. And that’s not easy, it may require sacrifice.”
“Meaning is the instinct that guides you through challenges and tragedies.”
“Meaning is most found in the adoption of responsibility.”
Dr. Peterson explains that people who avoid responsibility often live as victims and never move beyond past emotional trauma. Those who aim at something and have meaning in their lives move forward into health and productivity in greater numbers.
If we have a sense of meaning, we will face anything that comes our way.
For a believer, what gives our life the most meaning is discovering and pursuing God’s purposes in our lives. We can’t wait for him to tell us what to do. He is not going to split the sky and give you a reason to live. That is your responsibility. You are free to live for your own selfishness or lay your life down and allow God to live through you.
The Apostle Paul had a reason to face persecution. His compassion for his Jewish kinsman drove him into a difficult life. Nearly every original follower of Jesus lost their lives for the sake of the Gospel. They lived with meaning.
I’m not suggesting you need to get over yourself and die for Jesus, I’m saying you must find something in life to live for. As believers, of course, it should include the spreading of the Gospel, but maybe not just that.
What are you living for? Why do you get out of bed in the morning? Are you just paying bills and trying to create a life of comfort? Or are you compelled daily by a purpose?
Only you can allow that to develop in your heart. God isn’t going to make it happen for you. I pray you watch the full sermon above for more on this subject. I pray this sermon inspires you to step into a life of meaning and purpose.
