Purpose

The subject of purpose has really been on my mind for the last couple of months so I thought I would pen a few quotes that I have randomly come across. Here is one from a movie. Don’t ask me which one. I wasn’t even watching it but my wife heard it and repeated it to me.

“Without purpose life is boring.”

I can agree with that can’t you? When you have a sense of purpose in what you are doing it takes the boredom away because you want to occupy your time with things that help the purpose get accomplished. It really does give you direction and help you make decisions. Here is another quote from a men’s magazine article that I happened to read:

“When you are confident of your purpose, you worry less and devote more energy to constructive endeavors”

This is so true. When you are about your purpose you just don’t spend time worrying about things. I really think this relates to several scriptures where Paul the apostle addressed the idea occupying our time with work. There seemed to be a problem in the church at Thessalonica because of the very accurate and real truth of Jesus’ return. It seems that because His return was so imminent the people just became idle in waiting. They did nothing which began to cause many other problems such as becoming meddlers, gossipers, busybodies. Paul encouraged them to work with their hands and be busy. Occupy was the term he used.

Occupy doesn’t mean to just take up space. It means to work. To be busy getting things done. It infers the use of the facilities God has given us in order to carry out the many tasks that are necessary to live. It means to devote energy to constructive endeavors and not just waste time. Purpose helps us focus our energy, abilities, talents, and time. It gives us fulfillment and life.

I believe this is why we feel so good about joining with groups and organizations that share a common purpose. It is very fulfilling to be a part of something that causes us to feel worth in life. So many times we might think we don’t have an individual, unique purpose. That is fine. In reality I believe everyone needs to join God in His purpose. It is the most fulfilling. But it is also very good to be a part of something that gives us purpose. In the end it all serves the same purpose (pun intended!).