I recently attended a spiritual retreat where I got to speak on the subject of “Ideal”. It was a secular talk with no mention of God or religion. Basically, it was designed to get people to think about their purpose in life and reason for living. I tried my best to make it interesting, exposing my own vulnerabilities to life and how it affected what was important to me. Now, I get to explain in Biblical fashion what one’s ideal should be for a fruitful life here in the land of the living.
Two weeks prior to the retreat, I woke from my sleep with these words in my head. “He’s my sole purpose for living.” They reiterated again a little louder and clearer, “He’s my sole purpose for living”. I didn’t know who was speaking, nor who the central person the dream was about. Could it be me saying that about someone, or was it someone saying that to me? I didn’t know! But, no sooner did those words reverberate the second time, I heard, “No, I am your sole purpose for living; I am your reason for being alive. I created you! I formed you in your mother’s womb. Don’t you remember where it is written, where I said, let us make man in our image?” Then I realized that the Lord was speaking to me. It was three AM, the prime time God visits the earth, or so I have been taught.
I got out of bed, went into my study and had a mental conversation with God. I thought, was I holding on too tight to my loved one? Did I not truly surrender him to God? Was I still making him my reason for living, my ideal? I thought I had surrendered him to God years ago, after all, I try my best to be an advocate for spreading the truth of God’s word and trusting solely in Him for everything. I’ve been writing about it for years.
But, here I was pondering if I had done so wholeheartedly. You see, the previous day was full of disappointment. Disappointment of a hope unfulfilled! Worship was strained and tears flowed. Who was I crying for? Was it myself, my loved one, or just my heartache?
It didn’t matter, I knew I had it wrong and I was sorry. I started thinking about the Father’s words, “Let us make man in our image”. He made me to be like Him. I pictured Jesus, shining in the light of glory. It was a holy image I’ve seen before on prayer cards in church as a child, the ones you get from religious instruction classes or funerals.
The image that burned in my mind was of Jesus rising from the dead, glorified. He is the first born of the dead. Who else has ever risen from the grave? And what did it take for him to do that? The answer is only Jesus suffered and died on a cross, for you and me, for the sins of the world. He died so we could live! And by His stripes we are healed. We are made whole, righteous, and set free from all that holds our mind captive. Isaiah 53:1-5; Luke 4:18
This was the Fathers plan from the beginning of creation. Yes, He created us in His image so we would glorify Him with our lives. He alone is supposed to be our sole purpose for living.
The Struggle
In my last blog, I talked a little about why bad things happen to good people. In many cases, a result of that hurt leaves some people feeling angry at God. Sometimes, tragedies like the loss of loved ones, especially precious children, are just too hard to fathom. Children are a gift from God to show us the Father’s unconditional and wholehearted love. I know that’s how I feel about my child. When they are taken from us, leaving us heartbroken and alone to cope with the loss and emptiness, it is un-natural. But, what some don’t realize or may forget is that tomorrow is never promised.
Sometimes we think the sad things that happen to us are bad things. However, they really can be mercies in disguise. Eternity is a very long time! If you lost a child, there is hope that you and your loved one will be together for all eternity.
God’s word says that Jesus loves the little children. He told his apostles to let them come to him. I’ll go out on a limb to say that any little child who died before the age of accountability is with Jesus in heaven. I can research more Biblical proof of that at another time. But, you and your loved ones can be together for all eternity. All it takes is faith in Jesus Christ. Just make Him Lord of your life, your sole purpose for living!
Our Father in heaven shows us his love in so many ways, even in times of tragedy and heartache. However, He reminds us that He alone is sovereign! He alone deserves our worship.
Sadly, so many people make their life all about themselves and what is important to them. They set themselves up as god on the throne of their life. When bad things happen, they blame God and begin to do life alone. They forget the promise in keeping His commandments. Take the first few of these for example: “Love the Lord, your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. Have no strange gods before you. Do not take His name in vain and keep His day Holy.” WOW, how many of us have violated those laws, and there are eight more after that about how to relate to each other. Instead of choosing an abundant life in relationship with God, they have chosen the ways of the world. The apostle James wrote: Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? (James 4:4)
No matter how you lived your life in the past, you can still enjoy the promise of an abundant life for the future. Jesus is merciful and mighty. He made a way back to the Father through the cross. Through His death and resurrection, our transgressions can be behind us, and we can be just like Him. He made us in His image to glorify Himself and help lead others back to Him.
We can all be God’s children if we want to be, but we have to abide in Jesus, not in ourselves. No matter what bad things happen to us, no matter how angry we may get at God, we still get another chance to get our priorities in order. And that is a great mercy. Because to finish your life without Jesus as your priority, will leave you eternally lost. Salvation is a free gift, but you have to accept it.
You can say you accept it, but the way you live your life is really proof of that. Who is first in your life? What is most important to you? Have you surrendered all for Jesus?
Do you seek God alone for the hope of your future, or do you look to others, or even more dire, mediums, astrologers or other forms of divination for insight to cope with life. (That is a sure fire way of opening the door for the devil to gain access to your soul, where he can kill, steal, and destroy your faith, peace and joy!) Anything you love more, or look to instead of God is idolatry. It’s just something to think about! I know I did, and now I’m sharing that with you.
You can have an indescribable hope for your future, in-spite of life’s hardships. When you make Jesus your sole purpose for living, you are abiding in him. Why is it important to abide in Jesus? Look at what He says about this in the verses about the vine and the branches.
The Vine and the Branches
“I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love. “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.” (John 15:1-15 MSG)
Jesus says: I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NLT)
There is a peace that comes from abiding in Jesus. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding. In the middle of heartaches you can find peace and joy and the ability to love like Jesus loves. This is some of the fruit Jesus was talking about in the verses above. It comes from the Holy Spirit, the helper that Jesus promised us in His absence.
When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He is all you need to get through this life. The Holy Spirit will help you make Jesus your sole purpose for living and you will bring much glory to God. And then, how great your reward will be in heaven! There’s so much more to life than what we see here in this land of the living. Eternity is forever and it can be eternal joy, peace, love, goodness, kindness and much more. Imagine living in some of that here and now. It is possible, just make Jesus your sole purpose for living!
Thank you for reading my blog. May you abide in Jesus and may His peace and His joy dwell in your heart and mind forever. Amen!
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