Journeying on life’s path can become surprising at times. One day we are picking up our kids from school, and the next we are stuck in the same house for 6 months. One day we are on the top in our company with excellent performances, and the next, we are booted off by the new guy. One day we are drinking a latte with our closest friend, and the next, she declares the friendship over.
Life is unexpected and painful. It can be hard to grasp our purpose.
Even if we follow the truth of God’s word, unexpected things will still happen. Pain is real, and sin is active in our world. At times like these, I wish God was easier to grasp, tangible as if I could pick up the phone and dial 1-800-CALL-GOD. That would be convenient, don’t you think?
But God isn’t a God of “convenience.” God is a God of eternal satisfaction. The satisfaction he brings provides lasting: hope, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and more.
God might not be as tangible as the apple you hold in your hand, but he created that apple. God might not be as tangible the hug you received from your grandfather, but he created your grandfather. God might not speak audibly like your boss who affirms your efforts, but God created words.
As scripture tells us about Jesus,
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him.
Colossians 1:15-16
God created all things good, he created you, and Christ the image of the invisible God. Therefore, God is closer than one might think. God is in our midst. Do you believe this? I believe that it is in the word, the convictions of the Holy Spirit, and in the ways that God changes hearts for his name’s sake – that we get closer to grasping his purposes for our lives.
1. The Word of God
Throughout scripture, we are given various examples of those who ran after God’s purpose for their lives. Some, having not met God face to face, trusted his purposes, and followed his word.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Hebrews 11:39-40
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12
We might not see in full, what God is doing in our lives on earth, nor see Christ’s human face before us. Yet, we can fully trust that we will receive what God has promised us, as we will receive the fullness of it when we reach eternity with Him. When we spend time in the Word, it is no longer that our lives that matter most, it is God’s living and active Word in us that matters most.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
John 1:1-3
2. Conviction
When the Holy Spirit ignites that fire under our bum, we are ready to go. Do you know the feeling? It is a deep call, a weighty whisper, a conviction. When such promptings or loving tugs from the Holy Spirit come, we have a choice to make.
In Daniel 1:8-20, Daniel listens to the Lord’s pull. The Holy Spirit had not yet descended on all those who called upon his name, yet God still spoke to those that he chose. Our friend Daniel, was a testament of faithful diligence in LITERALLY consuming what would strengthen him for his purpose. Check out Daniel 1:8-20 for the whole story.
because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit
1 Thessalonians 1:5-6
The Holy Spirit convicts our hearts to go. It takes time to discern this voice and train our flesh to ignore its desires. We can learn together, the Lord is patient and willingly trains us with love.
3. God Changes Hearts
If we are delving into the Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to direct and convict us, we will find God wanting to use us. God will catapult his followers to go, by sharing his truth so that he can work in the hearts of man. It is not us who change our own hearts, but it is God who does the changing.
If we let God do his work, we will get to be a vessel for his specific purpose and design.
You know that I did not hold back from proclaiming to you anything that would be helpful, and from teaching you publicly and from house to house, testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem without knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit warns me in town after town that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me.
Acts 20:20-23
If we check out Exodus, we are introduced to Moses and the Pharaoh of Egypt. Moses was leading the Israelites, as they were slaves to Egypt. After a long stretch of 10 plagues, allowed by God, Pharoh’s heart was eventually softened, SO THAT the Israelites could go. It was a long time coming, but it was the Holy Spirit who moved his heart. For further understanding looking into Exodus 7-12.
Life is unexpected and painful. Even if we follow the truth of God’s Word, unexpected things will still happen. Pain is real, and sin is active in our world. We get the opportunity to run into God’s purposes for our lives.
How can you dive deeper into God’s purpose for your life through these three points listed today? Comment below.
Alex is hard at work with her YouTube channel. Check out her inspirational videos there for an extra blessing!
Alexandra Davis graduated from Baylor University in 2017 with a degree in Corporate Communications. There, she ran as a scholarship athlete on the cross country and track team. Alex realized her quirkiness was a gift from God and began the path of using it for God’s glory. Since then, she’s published Born Quirky and a free devotional, Born Running (available on Apple Books). Alex will begin her MA in Apologetics at Oklahoma Baptist University in September of 2020.