MY PURPOSE IN LIFE

Philippians 1:20-24 says, "For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don't know which is better. I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live." Paul was completely committed to continue to boldly proclaim Christ without straying away from God's truth, for his goal in life was to bring honor to Christ, whether he lived or died. For living in this world, for Paul means to live for the purpose of our Lord Jesus. Paul was not living for his own comfort, but He was living for God's purpose, no matter where God took him. He was willing to do anything that God led him to do. And if he died while fulfilling God's purpose in His life, it would be his advantage because he would be with our Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven for eternity. Paul actually admitted that he'd rather be with our Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven than be on this earth, but He was willing to continue living on this earth for the sake of the churches. 

Paul knew his purpose in life was to live for our Lord Jesus Christ, and this is the same purpose that God expects us to have. When our purpose in life is to live for Christ in the different areas of our lives, such as family, work, school, or career, we become stable in life. The reason is that there is only one whom we please, and that is God, not ourselves. Every decision that we make is based on honoring God; thus, we become Christ-centered. Paul's ultimate desire was to be with Christ in Heaven for eternity, and God wants us to have the same ultimate desire. God wants us to love Him more than anything or anyone in this world. The challenge we face is our lack of supreme love for our Lord Jesus. Honestly, many things in our lives compete for that love. If we are struggling to love our Lord Jesus Christ above everything, we need to pray that God will change our hearts to love Him supremely, that we may become Christ-centered.

When we love God above all else, our lives become stable, for we are living for God's purpose. Our main purpose in life is to live for God on this earth, and when He takes us home, we will be with Him in Heaven forever.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What is my purpose in life? Do I struggle to love God more than anything in this world? What should I do if I am struggling to love God more than anything in this world?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, you know everything about my heart. My purpose in life is to live for your purpose, and that can only happen when I love you above all else in this world. Please continue to change my heart and make me love you more than anything else in this world, for that is the only way that my life will become stable despite what is going on around me. Please help me to love you and live for your purpose. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.