Living With Purpose
Two teenagers were arrested for disorderly conduct. The police sergeant told them they were entitled to make one phone call. Sometime later a man entered the station and asked for them by name.
The sergeant said, “I suppose you’re the lawyer?”
“Nope,” the man replied. “I’m just here to deliver their pizza.”
Sometimes we can distracted from our purpose! 🙂
There are many distractions to take our focus off of following Jesus. Not all are bad things. Sometimes the wrong things beckon and call us to drift and disobey our Lord. Sometimes the good things can keep us from the best things.
In the case of the apostle Paul, he was torn between two good options—dying and going to heaven now or remaining to serve the churches and joining his Lord in heaven later. He was in a quandary.
Listen to his moral dilemma–“If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” Philippians 1:22-24
Paul had settled the matter. He knew what was of greater value—eternity in heaven. He accepted that what was more expedient, critical, immediately vital, was to continue to reach, teach, and extend the Kingdom while on earth. His reward for his faithfulness would be enjoyed later.
May we be undistracted in our purpose.
Only after discovering your purpose can you begin to live confidently and fulfill the purpose God for which God made you. Rick Warren wrote the best-selling book, “Purpose-Driven Life,” that addresses experiencing more out of life through the principles instilled in us by our Creator.
When you are fulfilling the purpose of your life, you will find fulfillment in life. If you aren’t fulfilling your purpose in life, true, lasting satisfaction will always remain elusively just out of reach.
TV news correspondent Dan Rather used to keep a sign on his desk as a reminder. It asked this simple question, “How is what you are doing now helping the broadcast?”
In other words, it prompted him to “Keep the main thing the main thing.”
During this month stay focused, be intentional, and practice living with purpose.
Jeff Stone
Lead Minister-Batesville Christian Church
