What is our purpose here on this earth? For years and years, as I was growing up, my dad would ask me what I was going to do with my life as an adult. In my elementary years, I was going to be a professional baseball player. In my teenage years, I was going to own my own business and be a millionaire. Then, finally in my college years, I set aside sports and business for youth ministry. I would become a youth pastor two weeks out of college back in 1996. I would serve the Lord for the next 17 years in youth ministry, and now, I have been the lead pastor of Emmanuel for over 12 years. From sports to money to Jesus.
What are you going to be when you grow up? Sounds like a funny question, but I’m not necessarily talking about chronological, I’m talking about maturity. You see whether you become a professional baseball player or own your own business or work at McDonald’s the rest of your life, one thing must be your goal – to glorify God! It is the reason that blood is pumping through your veins, and it is the reason that you take in oxygen all day long. We live to love and honor the Lord God Almighty!
The time had come for Jesus to die on The Cross. Even within the Godhead, glory or honor was the chief priority. Jesus had glorified the Father by being willing to go to The Cross, and now he was asking the Father to glorify him. The purpose of The Cross was so that people might have a personal relationship with their creator and be granted eternal life in the greatest of relationships. Think of our sinful culture always striving for “bigger and better” –whether it’s pleasure, prosperity, prestige, power, or popularity. The gift of Jesus puts an end to all human striving. For the person who is “found in Christ,” he has a sense of worth and value that is derived from his creator. He is in a relationship with the God of the universe. This kind of relationship brings contentment, satisfaction, purpose, and joy.
Just today as I am writing this devotional, I had the privilege of eating lunch with one of our college students. I was excited to hear of him going on a missions trip to preach the Gospel to Mormons in Salt Lake City, Utah. In our conversation, I challenged him to continue to strive for the will of God in his life. We talked about making money, and how, ultimately, that doesn’t bring true joy. He’s a smart young man. I am filled with joy to see the path that he has decided to take for his life.
Whatever you are going to do or are doing with your life, is it bringing glory to God? How often do you even consider this priority. The completion of the “work” the Father had sent Jesus to accomplish was mentioned by Jesus in John 4:34 and 5:36. What is the nature of the “work” the Father has given the Son to accomplish? It involves the Son’s mission to be the Savior of the world, as John 3:17 indicates. But this is accomplished specifically through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. It is not without significance that Jesus’ last words from the cross is “It is completed or finished” (John 19:30).
Jesus “finished the work” he was meant to accomplish. What about you? Someday when you look back on your life, will you be able to say the same thing? Think about it – how are you presently glorifying God. Does he have your priorities and dreams? Does he have your time and attention? Does he have your heart? At the end of the Apostle Paul’s life, he had some glorious statements that he made. Take a minute and read 2 Timothy 4:6-8: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Let’s make sure that we are living first and foremost for the GLORY OF GOD!
What are you going to be when you grow up? Sounds like a funny question, but I’m not necessarily talking about chronological, I’m talking about maturity. You see whether you become a professional baseball player or own your own business or work at McDonald’s the rest of your life, one thing must be your goal – to glorify God! It is the reason that blood is pumping through your veins, and it is the reason that you take in oxygen all day long. We live to love and honor the Lord God Almighty!
The time had come for Jesus to die on The Cross. Even within the Godhead, glory or honor was the chief priority. Jesus had glorified the Father by being willing to go to The Cross, and now he was asking the Father to glorify him. The purpose of The Cross was so that people might have a personal relationship with their creator and be granted eternal life in the greatest of relationships. Think of our sinful culture always striving for “bigger and better” –whether it’s pleasure, prosperity, prestige, power, or popularity. The gift of Jesus puts an end to all human striving. For the person who is “found in Christ,” he has a sense of worth and value that is derived from his creator. He is in a relationship with the God of the universe. This kind of relationship brings contentment, satisfaction, purpose, and joy.
Just today as I am writing this devotional, I had the privilege of eating lunch with one of our college students. I was excited to hear of him going on a missions trip to preach the Gospel to Mormons in Salt Lake City, Utah. In our conversation, I challenged him to continue to strive for the will of God in his life. We talked about making money, and how, ultimately, that doesn’t bring true joy. He’s a smart young man. I am filled with joy to see the path that he has decided to take for his life.
Whatever you are going to do or are doing with your life, is it bringing glory to God? How often do you even consider this priority. The completion of the “work” the Father had sent Jesus to accomplish was mentioned by Jesus in John 4:34 and 5:36. What is the nature of the “work” the Father has given the Son to accomplish? It involves the Son’s mission to be the Savior of the world, as John 3:17 indicates. But this is accomplished specifically through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. It is not without significance that Jesus’ last words from the cross is “It is completed or finished” (John 19:30).
Jesus “finished the work” he was meant to accomplish. What about you? Someday when you look back on your life, will you be able to say the same thing? Think about it – how are you presently glorifying God. Does he have your priorities and dreams? Does he have your time and attention? Does he have your heart? At the end of the Apostle Paul’s life, he had some glorious statements that he made. Take a minute and read 2 Timothy 4:6-8: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Let’s make sure that we are living first and foremost for the GLORY OF GOD!