Know Your Purpose

Throughout my work life, I’ve learned it is essential to recognize the primary purpose of any company I work for and my role within it. From that understanding I can properly interpret my surroundings, my interactions with others, and gain a larger perspective of all the things I do. I admit, many times I have been instructed to do things at work that seem trivial, annoying, or even unfair to me. But when I choose to understand the purpose of my duties in relation to the more significant purpose of the company, I gain new perspective of my circumstances.

As I try to put the circumstances of my life into context with my relationship with God, I invariably need to consider what the primary work of God is and what His primary duties for me are. Scripture makes it clear that in this particular time in history God’s main work in the world is to have His gospel preached. Paul went so far as to say in Philippians 1:18 that “the important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.” Our great commission from Jesus before He ascended to heaven was to go out and preach to all people; a pretty clear job description for our lives.

As we look at our lives and the situations we go through, how unfair, trivial or complex they may seem, as Christians we have to view them in light of what we have been called to do. When we don’t get our way, is it better for us to be annoyed and angry, or to believe God that knowing the big picture He is working all things for His purposes (Rom. 8:28)? No amount of praying or arguing with God is going to convince Him to change His priorities to line up with our own. And the more often we choose to live our lives in that reality, the more abundant and joyful our lives will be, as we shed our own desires and submit them to the good and perfect Will of the Father, driven by His purposes rather than our own.