Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21 ESV)
T
he KJV Dictionary’s definition of purpose is “that which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure or exertion.”
We believe that the Lord created intelligent beings for some benevolent and glorious purpose, and if so, how glorious and benevolent must be His purpose in the plan of redemption!” Therefore, you have not been created to just walk around and function from day to day with no mission to accomplish. The Lord has been in the plan for your life even before you were born. God told the “weeping prophet” in Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV), “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” God has a purpose for each one of us, so find out what it is, accept it, and go forth with His plan.
Some of you have not recognized God’s plan for you yet. That is understandable. However, you cannot sit back and wait forever to find out what it is and finally put into action at the “last minute.” Your purpose is not God’s purpose for you because Jesus declared, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” Once you discover God’s purpose for your life, you will find that you will be able to navigate it much better, rather than moving about going nowhere. One thing I know, and that is God will not leave you alone with His plan for your life. What you must do, though, is stay connected with Him and ask for His guidance.
Let me share with you from Belief.net, “7 Ways to Figure out God’s Plan for Your Life.”
“Ask Him. Listen for cues. Be patient. Follow Him. Surrender your will. Learn about yourself. Look at your circumstances.” Just trust God to guide you there. God made you, and He knows all about you. He said to Moses in Exodus 33:17 (ESV), “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” The KJV Dictionary goes on to explain for your understanding, “The ambition of men is generally directed to one of two purposes, or to both; the acquisition of wealth or of power. We build houses for the purpose of shelter; we labor for the purpose of subsistence.” Your life is significant and special. Consequently, God’s purpose for you is within you; let it manifest itself, accept it, and go forth accomplishing it in the name of Jesus Christ.
“Encouraging Pencil,” an eye-opening parable by an unknown author, metaphorically compares a pencil’s purpose in life to yours. Please read and comprehend carefully so that you will get “the point”!
“The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. ‘There are five things you need to know,’ he told the pencil, ‘before I send you out into the world. Always remember them, and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.’
“‘One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.’
“‘Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.’
“‘Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.’
“‘Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.’
“‘And Five: On every surface on which you are used, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.’
“The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
“‘Now I am replacing the pencil with you. [There are five things you need to know before going out into the world.] Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.’
“‘One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand, and allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.’
“‘Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person.’
“‘Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.’
“‘Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.’
“‘And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.’
“Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person, and only you can fulfill the purpose for which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant, and you cannot make a change.”
Have a wonderfully blessed week, be thankful in all circumstances, and never leave home without Him!
(Anna Bright is a minister and educator in Walterboro. She can be reached at abrightcolumn@lowcountry.com)
