Purpose 1

I’m a Christian. I’m following Jesus. I’m trying to be faithful. But what is it that I’m supposed to do with my life? What’s my purpose? Or my calling? Do I have a ministry? At the root of many of these questions is a very fundamental question:

Do I matter to God?

Fortunately, Jesus was kind enough to address crowds of people who were struggling with similar questions of significance and provision. And they were people living under the oppression of a foreign ruler. Let’s see what he said.

He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more. “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance – but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. (Luke 12:22-30 – The Message)

So, then, it would seem that I do matter to God. That I am important. Now what? What should I do? Who should I be?

Don’t worry about it

The context of this passage is addressing the worrying about the things of this world and it’s systems. The way Jesus is addressing it relates specifically to money, status, position, and provision. In short, things that we can be proud of – our accomplishments. So, it starts here: Don’t fuss (worry, concern yourself) about food, clothes, appearance, or job description.

But I want to know what I am supposed to do. How will I know that I’m doing what I should do? How do I know that I’m making the most of my talents? I need to know that I’m…

First, why do you need to know? God knows. Isn’t that enough? Or do you somehow look to these things as validation of the integral nature of your life to God’s plan? Are you looking to this as proof of your salvation? Do you want to know how to KNOW that you’re doing what God has for you?

Do what you were designed to do.

Look at this amazing passage.

Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. (Luke 12:24 – The Message)

The ravens are simply being ravens. The flowers are only flowers. Yet God cares for both. God provides for both. God “dresses” both. And they, unlike people, actually do what they were designed to do.

How does this relate to us?
How do I know what I was designed to do?