The Third great purpose of life

Lisa constantly feels inadequate. She's been to many conferences on spiritual growth and reads book after book about healing spiritual wounds. She's convinced God can't use her until she's fixed. When Pastor Bill asked her to mentor a young woman in the church who was struggling spiritually, Sarah declined. She said, how could I help her?

I'm not ready yet.

At the same time, she felt a tug in her heart that this was something she should do. Pastor bill showed Lisa 2 Corinthians 12:9, where Paul wrote, but he the Lord said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Paul continues, therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Lisa finally agreed and began mentoring young women in the church. She found that because of her own brokenness, she could relate to their pain and their flaws, and they listened to her. She soon realized that God used her brokenness, now healed, to heal others. Lisa discovered the third great purpose in our lives.

To do the specific works that God prepared for us to do. Ephesians 2:10. God has made us what we are in Christ Jesus. God created us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing. Many people struggle, sometimes for years, asking God to reveal his plan for our lives.

I did that.

what I meant was for God to show me the big thing. God, should I go this direction or that? Career choice, all these kinds of things. What do you want me to do with my life?

And I found out that the great things are preceded by the small things, the daily things. The greater purposes of our lives are revealed as we live. First, to know and love God. Second, to be transformed, to become like Jesus. And third, to do the specific works that God has planned and waiting for us to do.

These three purposes give us a foundation for a meaningful life. They also give us balance and focus. You know, as you pursue these three things, God will reveal the great works he's planned for you to do.