Glory, honour and praise to God my Father, Jesus my King and the Holy Spirit living inside of me! Amen!
The picture in my mind is about the Paralympics 2012 when a young gentleman without legs and arms competed in a swimming event. He was much shorter than the rest and I must admit, I wondered how this man would be able to swim at all. Needless to say, once he got into the pool, he simply moved forward. He did not get a gold medal, but he surely finished the race. It touched me deeply and I realised that for him, he had won the race. At that time I realised that although he had many challenges, he lived. He had a pulse and therefore he had a purpose.
We often visit a sub-acute clinic at a retirement village and find the same people sitting in the same spot at the same time every day. When talking to them, their eyes light up knowing that someone came to say hello and to show some love and care. As they share their own experiences, it is evident that they are lonely and some feel they have no more purpose in life. They have challenges to see, listen and move around and therefore find themselves sitting in a chair from morning till noon. Looking at them, some desperate to go to Jesus, they question their purpose on earth. The reality is; that it is not just the elderly and people challenged with disabilities who feel that they have no purpose. When speaking to my son in high school, you hear that many teenagers have challenges understanding their true purpose in life. My question to you today dear reader is, how are you feeling today? Do you know your real purpose and more so, do you live out your purpose? What is happening in your life that keeps you from feeling like you have no purpose and that you can’t make a difference?
God represents life and He created all of us in His image (Genesis 1:27). If we are in Him and He in us, that means that we then also represent life. The question is whether we do represent life? People who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, do not know where to turn to when the world throws mud and stones at them. They often are left despondent and feel there is no purpose for them in this life. Then again, many people who have a relationship with Christ also feel the same. I realise that there a many things that impact on how we feel and determine our purpose, like losing a loved one, retirement without something to keep you busy or children leaving home and parents feeling that their role in life has been fulfilled. Is this how you feel?
Many humans feel that there is no meaning of life and therefore they do not know their purpose. However, when we understand our purpose as destined by God, we will understand why we exist at all. Romans 8:28 says “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Therefore, all purpose starts from God and if you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, you will find it difficult to know why you exist. When we are called by Jesus and accept Him in our hearts, He confirms our purpose and that is to go out and be disciples for Him, spreading the Word at work and among friends that Jesus is alive and that He wants all people to live for Him. When we reach that revelation, we also have found our real purpose.
Dear reader, God has a purpose for all of us and even when we don’t see it, it does not mean that it does not exist (Heb 11:1). A smile warms up someone else’s heart. Saying thank you, making people around you feel that they are appreciated. Listening, even without saying a word, make the person talking feel that they are heard. Some people fight in wars so that others can experience peace. Others work shifts as police officers and medical practitioners because their purpose is to contribute to our healing and safety. Come on guys, these are just the basic things and already we realise that we have a purpose.
If you ever doubt your purpose, feel your pulse and know that as long as you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Stay focussed and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your every move, every moment of every day.
With lots of love in Jesus Name
Princess K
