What’s My Purpose?

Romans 12:3-8

3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

8or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

I need to start remembering this passage when people begin to talk about their “purpose in life.” Especially as Christians, we tend to complicate our purpose. We spend large amounts of time in prayer and meditation looking for answers and get frustrated when we don’t get them. The answer is here.

What is it you like to do? THAT is your purpose. It’s the desire God gave you. The design he applied to your spirit. If you like to do something, and you’re at least somewhat good at it, that is your purpose! You aren’t supposed to suffer. You aren’t condemned to a life of unfulfilling work and misery at your job. Your likes and desires aren’t supposed to be put on a back burner as a part time hobby or secret pleasure. It’s meant to be accomplished to it’s fullest, BY YOU!

In addition to our “physical” purpose, Paul tells us here that we have “spiritual” purposes as well. God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Imagine everyone in your congregation had the level of faith your pastor does. The same calling as he does. Well, it wouldn’t be a church then, would it? It would be a pastoral conference. We are each designed specifically for where and when we are in life. Some are designed to lead, some are designed to follow. Some are designed to serve, others are not designed to serve. The point of it is that we are all called to live our our faith accordingly. Some will be standing in the pulpit once or more during the week, others will simply be at work and not cursing.

We all have a specific purpose designed by God. It’s not a secret, it’s not a mystery. It’s on your heart. But, beware of your prideful self. As we realize what it is we are designed for, be careful to continue to recognize God for that design, and not take credit for yourself. Paul’s beginning words to this passage warns us not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think. Certainly pride is a humanistic urge to become our own Gods, we must capture these thoughts and rid ourselves of them. I struggle with this daily. The last 11 chapters laid out the consequences of pride through the rejection of Israel. Lest we forget.

What is your purpose? Are you happy where you are at? Why? Why not? What did God design you for? Are you working towards fulfilling your purpose?

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