a prayer to remember our purpose
Posted by: Laura Bailey
Bible reading:
“Therefore God created man in his own image, in the likeness of God, male and female.” Genesis 1:27 NIV
Listen or read below:
Out of curiosity, I Googled “What is my purpose?” It’s clear from the large number of pages of search results that this is a popular question. I didn’t expect Bible answers to be at the top of the search results, but I had to scroll a bit to find the Christian answer.
It’s no surprise that the overarching solution to “finding your purpose” is the result of looking inward. Ask yourself, “What do I want?” “How do I want to define my life?” or “Whose life do I want to emulate?” I do not claim that it is not sometimes useful to evaluate the current situation. Sometimes it can be helpful to make changes to improve yourself in some way. But as Christians, we need to make sure we are using the right filters to find answers and solutions to life’s questions.
Let’s go back to the first question: “What is my purpose?” When we look to the Bible to define the purpose and reason for our existence, we find that the answer lies not within ourselves, but in the One who created us. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created us in His image and that both men and women are equally loved and have equal standing under God’s authority. To modern readers, the fact that men and women were equal doesn’t seem like such a big deal. But the idea of equality between men and women was radical when Moses first wrote Genesis, around 1440-1430 BC. Women were not considered members of society. In terms of social status, they were slaves. The fact that the Bible clearly states that God created men and women in His image reveals God’s love for all of His creation.
God does not choose favorites. We are all precious in God’s eyes. God was not alone. God did not create humans to entertain Him or create companionship. We were created out of love to have a relationship with God and bring him praise and honor. So it’s good that the key to finding purpose is not found inside. We humans are fickle creatures, and our minds, tastes, and ideas change all the time. When we look to ourselves to define our purpose, we end up screwing ourselves because that definition is constantly changing.
Rather, we can be sure of our purpose when we remember why God, the unchanging Creator of the universe, created us. You don’t have to scour the web or scroll through social media to define who you are. Rather, we are defined by who we belong to: the Lord. God created you to know Him intimately, to praise Him, and to bring glory to Him. How you do that varies from person to person. Because God created us with unique talents and attributes, our life stages determine how these manifest differently. Still, we need not be confused about our purpose. We can be sure that God created us on purpose and wants us to know Him and make Him known.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you for creating us. You did not have to create men and women in your image, but you chose to invite us into your relationship. Thank you for loving us even when we are beyond our power. We know your love will never end. How grateful we are that your love does not place conditions on our words or actions.
Forgive us when we choose our own way or rebel against your commands. Please help me not to be confused by what the world says about my purpose and identity. Please keep our hearts and minds firmly rooted in Your truth, and guide our steps so that our lives may be living proofs of Your mercy. Lord, in this season, as we exercise our unique gifts and talents, show us how You want us to live out our purpose of knowing You and making You known. Lord, we love you. I am eternally grateful for the gift of life on earth and in eternity.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
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Photo by: Dylan Ferreira/Unsplash
Laura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply Biblical truth to their lives. Her recent book, Embracing Eternity in the Here and Now, explores how the timeless truths of Ecclesiastes can help us live more peaceful, purposeful, and abundant lives today.
She lives in upstate South Carolina with her husband and three girls and is the director of women’s ministry at her church. Her passion is teaching women the Bible and empowering them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
Related Resources: Be Still – Advent Meditation
This season of Advent is busy and hectic, but that’s why we need time to stop and be still with God. So Much More is a podcast created to bring you a space to be with God. This month we’ll be introducing Advent meditations designed to help you quiet your mind and hear from the Lord. If you like what you hear, subscribe to So Much More on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
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