Apologetics
Should Christians Be Purpose-Driven?
Nicolo Paganini was a concert violinist and before his death he willed his violin to Genoa, his city of birth. Paganini donated it with the stipulation that no one would ever play it. That was unfortunate, because its beautiful wooden structure was designed to be handled and without use that particular violin deteriorated. Today, that once mellow-toned instrument is now a useless, worm-eaten relic.
Like that violin, Christians withdrawn from God's service lose their beauty and purpose. Christians must stay active if they are to glow rather than fade; flourish rather than deteriorate. Your soul will never truly live until you pursue your purpose—but not just any purpose, you must pursue your divinely ordained purpose.
People that wander through life always wonder why they have no satisfaction. It's because they are drifting rather than driving, spinning rather than steering, and existing rather than thriving. Man's contentment comes when he finds purpose and pursues it. You must forget your fears, ignore your liabilities, and dismiss your excuses. Your faith in God will transcend the drift and draft of the world and help claim your destiny.
Awhile back I heard a pastor tell a remarkable story that illustrates this. A woman in his congregation searched for meaning, so she asked the pastor if she could visit the hospitals. The minister didn't think the ministry matched her personality and tried to dissuade her from the undertaking. When she persisted, the pastor monitored her ministry. They made a hospital visit together. As she stepped to a bedside she began the conversation. "So you're having gallbladder surgery? I've had two family members that had that operation and they died!" The pastor couldn't bear it so he offered her another option. "Sister, this really doesn't appear to be your ministry. You must consider something else! God responds to your praying with remarkable answers. I want you in the prayer ministry." He gave her fifty-four names of sinners from the church family and she began praying. Within one year, fifty-two of those sinners were saved!
Mere activity never brings happiness. Your well-meaning pursuits may burn energy but they won't ignite the soul. Your activity must match your purpose. Pursuit without purpose is meaningless; purpose without pursuit is illusion; but pursuit with purpose brings contentment.
Copyright © 2009 by Pulpit Today
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