For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
– Jeremiah 29:11
These are very powerful words. Spoken by God Himself to affirm to Jeremiah that He has a plan. A powerful plan. A plan that is available to all of us. Like many areas of our faith, the determining factor comes down to making a choice. Jeremiah had already made his choice and this is the promise that followed.
I don’t think there is any doubt that we live in a world ruled by chaos. Everywhere we look, instability, destruction and disorder rule the day. Isolation, seclusion, escapism have become all too prevalent and it manifests as depression, social disorders and mental illness issues. Those terms are laid upon a broken world and the ironic part is that it uses its own tragically broken standard. By this reasoning, how can we be surprised? After all, this is all the world can offer. The darkness can judge by no other standard than the darkness it knows until light has entered the equation.
No wonder so many young people struggle today. It seems to be at a rate greater than any epidemic this world has ever seen. We could debate all the physiological and social reasons and factors contributing to these problems, but honestly doesn’t it come down to just one factor?
Purpose.
When we live without purpose, we live without reason. Simply going through the motions. Seeking to get by day to day. Attempting to meet the minimum standard others or society has established. Filtering our future through the regrets and mistakes of yesterday. Watching our self-respect dwindle to little more than an empty tank.
In Ecclesiastes 1:2 Solomon says,
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
Solomon in his old age has found everything in this world to be empty and void of meaning. In other words, he has lost sight of his purpose and the world has nothing to offer.
Some of the best news and affirmation that we can ever receive is that we in fact do have purpose. Purpose that transcends this broken world’s standards. Purpose that goes beyond our situation, our past, our failures. Purpose that is not based upon other people’s plans, desires or agendas.
True purpose that we can only find in one place. It’s the purpose that only God holds the keys to. It transforms us to our core. Our very mindset is changed to reflect God and His attributes. Attributes like hope, love, compassion, humility, appreciation, community. It is God’s purpose in our life that brings His light that begins to judge and subdue the darkness. It’s the illumination that allows us to see our life for the wondrous gift it is. It moves us from our selfish desires and self-condemnation to a Christ centered view of today as well as eternity. This is the essence and foundation of our purpose.
Isn’t it time to start living out your purpose?
Jason Metz, lead Pastor
