Created for a Purpose!

Your life is not a matter of random events  - you were created. Not only that but you were created by God for a purpose. 

In his letter to the Galatian Christians, the apostle Paul explains the basis for his calling as an apostle. He states that he was set apart in his mother’s womb, called to be a preacher. Some 600 years earlier, Jeremiah is told by God that he had been consecrated and set apart as a prophet even before he was born. God knew him intimately and had formed him with this purpose in mind. Psalm 139:13-16 reminds us that the way we are put together in the womb and even the fact of our conception was not a random act of chance but was according to the design and intention of Almighty God.

Like these mighty men of God, you too were planned for a purpose. God put you together in such a way that you would be entirely suited to fulfill the purposes he has for you. More than that, the events of your life, your history and all that it contains continues to mold and shape you according to his master design.We make think we are inadequate or unsuited to our God given task – Jeremiah complained he was too young, Moses thought he couldn't speak, even Amos said that he was neither a prophet, nor the son of a prophet – just a herder of sheep (Amos 7:14)! Time and again God uses the most ordinary people to do extraordinary things. God has a plan for each one of us and he prepares us, putting us together exactly as he wishes so that we are able to do his will.

Sometimes the events of life seem unfair and even painful. Things happen to us that we don’t understand and we may even suffer personal harm or loss. It is never God’s desire to cause us suffering and yet it is often these very sufferings that build our character. While God doesn't initiate this hurt or suffering he does allow it and then turns it around to build us up and prepare us for the greater purposes he has planned for us. All the events of your life, your parentage, schooling, career, relationships and so on combine together to make you the person you are today. Each step of your journey is a building block that God is using to make you into the temple he chooses to dwell in and which he intends to use for his glory. Too often we hear, and perhaps even say, “if only I was like so-and-so, then I could do that”, or “If only I had done this or that”, or "I wish I were somebody else”, “when this or that happens, then I’ll serve God”. God knows you, and chooses you – as you are- to accomplish his purposes. He doesn't want you to be like someone else or to wait for some unfinished work to be completed before you embark on the journey he has planned for you. He wants you as you are, with him as your constant companion, ready to do his will.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to lead us along the journey God has set ahead of us. While his leading is very much related to the conduct of our everyday lives, it has the significance of directing the course of your life, first preparing then leading you into an adventure with him that will see you accomplishing things you never thought were possible.

Like Moses, Jeremiah and many others beside expect to hear the voice of God telling you that he has plans for you. Determine today, that when you hear his voice you won’t resist him or make excuses about why you cannot do what he asks, instead embark on the great adventure of ministry he has prepared for you from before you were even born and which he has equipping you for ever since.