Did you know you have been set apart for a purpose? Just like Christ was/is set apart, so are you. Today, as we dive into scripture, we are going to discover what our purpose is and what God is asking us to do.
I think we would all agree Jesus was set apart for a purpose. That fact might be the thing that makes us squeamish about our own purpose. If we acknowledge we have a purpose, then we might have to do something about it. It is easier to look the other way or pretend we have very little to offer when it comes to our place in the Kingdom of God. But the truth is, we are all children of God, worthy and precious to Him. And we all have a purpose.
Jeremiah 1:5 reads, ““Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Paul talks about his own calling in Romans 1:1 where he states, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Obedience through faith in Jesus Christ
We have an obedience that comes from our faith through our belief in Jesus, His life, death and resurrection. Jesus came to set us free. To deliver us from our sins and to bring us into a right relationship with God. If we believe what He did to be true, we have an obligation to tell the story. By sharing Christ with others, we help them embrace that same freedom we have experienced. By doing so, His death is not in vain. But here’s the kicker; we get to choose to participate in God’s purpose here on earth. By participating, our life has meaning. And not just any meaning, great eternal value! How cool is that?
Even in my own life, God has used scriptures like these and others to press upon me my own purpose. We do not need to be afraid of what God is asking us to do. It is a privilege to participate in God’s work.
Before I ever wrote a book I remember sitting in a church service listening to a missionary tell a story about a little village in Africa and something about goats. I cannot remember who he was or who he represented. What I do remember was this pull inside of me to do something. This overwhelming, undeniable desire to get up and do something. As I sat there in the pew, I prayed, “God, I don’t want to go to Africa. Please don’t ask me to go to Africa.” The funny thing was, God wasn’t asking me to go to Africa. God was asking me to participate in His work through obedience to whatever He said.
As you draw into God, God will draw into you. That’s a promise.
You have been set apart for a purpose. Embrace it, don’t run from it. As followers of Jesus Christ, we don’t have to have all the answers. It is not about being right. It is about our relationship with The Great Divine. Seek to know Him and then seek to know Him more. Your light will shine so brightly others will be drawn to you. Listen to what God is speaking to your heart and be obedient to Him. Choose to participate and embrace your purpose.
Let us pray;
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, continue to draw us into You. Help us to trust You with our whole heart so that we may participate in the work You have called us to do. Teach us how to be obedient by listening to You and courageous enough to do what you ask. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
P.S. – Leave me a comment because I love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend and ask them to subscribe to my website so they can may receive these encouragements weekly as well. Post on Facebook and tag me in it. Until next time, just know this, you have been set apart for a purpose. Embrace that purpose today. -M
One thought on “Set Apart for a PURPOSE”
So true. We are the hands and feet of Jesus. Our choice. Love you