Living with Purpose

My Purpose in the Mundane

It is so easy to get caught up in daily, menial tasks.  I cook.  I clean.  I teach my children.  I fold laundry.  I answer emails.  I plan for the next day.  I wake up and do it all again.

When I put it like that it seems monotonous and without purpose.  However, when I do it in light of Colossians 3 all of those tasks have purpose and meaning.  

Colossians 3:1-4, 15-17 - Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory...Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The heading above that passage is "Living as Those Made Alive in Christ".  Whatever I do, whether putting away laundry, teaching a math lesson, or driving my kids to soccer practice, I'm doing it as one who has been made alive in Christ.  I do it all in the name of the Lord.  Well, I should be doing it in the name of the Lord.  When I don't, I miss out.  When I make it about me, I see all the earthly annoyances.  When I focus on the negative I miss out on the abundant life that has been offered to me.

I've written a little about my insecurities and anxieties.  It's easy for me to get overwhelmed and caught up in the negative.  I have to consciously choose to think positively every single day.  When I do, I'm able to see all God is trying to teach me.  When I see Him, my own insecurities and shortcomings become faint.  Lately, everything I'm reading points to my purpose.  

My BSF teaching leader described it as, "The liberating power and indescribable joy of living a life for Jesus, free from the shackles of self."

This quote in Experiencing God stood out to me, "Don't do it just to fill a job.  Do it because your Lord has led you to."

"As the years passed, deep satisfaction in the love of Jesus became the core of John's existence."  This.  This right here, taken from the BSF notes of the introduction lesson of John, this is what I want.  This is how I want to be described.  This is why I want to exist.

According to Isaiah 40:1-5 and John 1:19-27, John the Baptist's purpose was to prepare the way for the Lord.  His entire purpose in life was to point to the Lord.  Every time he answered the question of who he was, he did not bring glory to himself but instead pointed to the One worthy of all glory and honor.

Reading those passages immediately made me ask myself if my life points to Christ.  When others look at me do I get in the way?  Or do they see the One I serve?

When my kids hear me complain about the pile of laundry or whine about running errands, who am I pointing to?  Who do they see?

A purpose that glorifies God

Philippians 2:14-16 - Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

1 Peter 2:12 - Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. 

My pastor challenged us in this week's sermon to, "Let our daily choices communicate the credibility of the gospel."

It's easy for me to glorify God and honor Him in Ethiopia.  I'm called there for a short period of time, and that time is free of distractions and monotony.  I'm not only called to glorify Him on a twelve day mission trip.  I'm called to glorify Him in my every day life, in my every day tasks.  When I do, my life will point to Him.  That is my purpose.

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