Friday, 19 May 2023
FOCUS ON YOUR ASSIGNMENT
...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
One of the beautiful things about discovering your divine purpose in life is that it keeps you focused. Your purpose defines your life, giving you a focus and a direction. A synonym for purpose is "intent" or "design." Intent or design is never general; it must be clear, definite and specific for it to be realistic and effective.
Our Lord Jesus had a clear purpose for coming into the world, and He expressed it unequivocally. He said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it to the full" (John 10:10).
The Word says in 1 John 3:8: "...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." Then in Luke 19:10, Jesus declared, "...The son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." His purpose was very clear: He came to do the will of His Father.
He said, "...My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me, and from finishing his work" (John 4:34 TLB). We see from this statement of Jesus, a very powerful principle of life revealed: the pursuit and fulfilment of your divine purpose is the true sustenance of life; it's the fuel that keeps your engine running while you're on the face of this earth. Even in the natural sense, few things stimulate, keep alive, or stir courage as much as going after a goal and accomplishing it.
We also see purpose expressed in Paul's narrative of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 26:13-16). He appeared to Paul to make him a minister and a witness (Acts 26:16). He futher reveals to Paul that he was "to open the eyes of the Gentiles and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Christ Jesus" (Acts 26:18 ).
This was Paul's reason for being; this was his life's mission, and he said in verse 19, ".../ was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision." Then in 1 Corinthians 9:26, he said, "/ therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight, not as one that beateth the air." In other words, I'm focused on my mission; I'm definitive about carrying out God's plan for my life. That's how it ought to be. Be focused on your assignment, on your God-given purpose. Glory to God!
PRAYER: Dear Father, I'm unwavering, steadfast, resolute, firm and focused on my mission and the purpose for which I was created. I serve you wholeheartedly as a witness of the Gospel of Christ, definitive about fulfilling your purpose for my life, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Acts 26:16-18; Acts 23:11
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 8:48-59 & 2 Kings 1-3
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Mark 11:12-26 & Numbers 22