“You were created by God and FOR GOD, and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” – Pastor Rick Warren, Saddleback Church

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I know many professing Christians who appear spiritually lost. They aren’t grounded in the word of God and therefore unable to embrace God’s purpose for their lives. Their walk with the Lord is anemic. They rarely pray to God, nor do they attempt to read the Bible daily, rendering them unable to hear God speaking into their hearts. That’s a tragedy. God has created each of us to be in close fellowship with Him. He tells us that we were created to experience life “abundantly.” I want everyone to understand that their lives have meaning. No one was meant to merely take up space on this earth and endure life.  

I’d like to share some key passages that have spoken to me, showing me that my life has purpose and meaning. I hope they will inspire you to see your life in a different light. 

WE WERE NOT CREATED BY ACCIDENT

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)

I love the image of God, who “knit me together in my mother’s womb.” We aren’t DNA haphazardly thrown together during our parents’ night of passion! The Lord prepares the blueprint for our physical structure, our personality, our talents, and the abilities He wanted us to possess. God was meticulous in His design of us.  

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jer 1:5)

God knows us before He even forms us. Before we’re born, He already knows how He wants to set us apart and use us in His kingdom.  

WE WERE CREATED WITH A PURPOSE

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11-12)

God already has our roadmap in place. He already has plans in place that only benefit us. Nothing He allows in our life is intended to harm us, but to ultimately lead us to a hope and a future.  

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10)  

“Whatever God creates is exquisitely suited for its purpose. He created the sun to give light: How perfectly it does its work! He created the eye to see: How beautifully it fulfills its object! He created the new man unto good works: How admirably it is fitted for its purpose.” (The Essential Works of Andrew Murray, p. 567)

We may not know exactly what these works are in advance, but God knows. He will show us what they are and how to do them. 

WE PLAY OUR PART WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (I Cor 6:19-20)

I read this and conclude that my life is not my own. When God sent His only son, Jesus, to die for our sins by taking our place on the cross, He bought us. Once we accepted Jesus as our Savior through the forgiveness of sins and committed to honor Him in all that we say and do, we embrace that our life is not to be lived for ourselves, but for God. Life has never been about us and it never will be. 

Photo Courtesy @Istockphoto.com/Mike_Kiev

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil 2:3-4)

We have a natural tendency toward self-centeredness. When we live by the Spirit, He enables us to be other-centered.  

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

When we deny ourselves and choose to relinquish our personal agendas, we allow the Lord to fill our hearts with His agenda each day. We agree with God that our life was created for Him, so we fully surrender ourselves to let His Holy Spirit lead us each day to accomplish His purposes. All of us would love for God to roll out the red carpet and show us in advance what He wants us to do for Him, but that is not walking by faith. When God called Abraham to leave his family, God never told him where He was going to take him. Abraham trusted God and followed Him. Abraham wasn’t given an itinerary or a preview of works to be done, but a promise to be blessed if he would obey God. 

WHERE ARE YOU?

Are you feeling like a spiritual nomad, even as a child of God? May I encourage you? You were fearfully and wonderfully made for the works God has prepared in advance for you. He has sealed you with His Holy Spirit, empowering you to fulfill His purposes. He has equipped you with the gifts, the talents and the abilities to accomplish what He has planned for you. He has asked you to follow Him by faith, not by sight. Will you trust Him to lead you? 

MY PRAYER FOR YOU

Lord, I bring before your throne every precious child of yours who does not feel a strong sense of purpose or meaning in his or her life. I ask that your Holy Spirit show them daily how they have been “created in Christ Jesus” to do the works you’ve prepared for them in advance to do. May they trust you completely and discover the meaning you’ve given to each of their lives. Lord, for all the believers, I pray that we always remember that we were created for you. May we celebrate how you created us and the plans you have for us. I pray this in the powerful and matchless name of Jesus our Lord, Amen. 

Are you willing to share how you find meaning in your life as a Christ follower in order to encourage other believers?

Blessings,

Lee Ann