Great is His Purpose

Great is His Purpose

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

In Chapter 2 of my book, I make a comment about how different our definition of something is versus God’s definition. For instance, our definition of what “great” is usually different from what God’s definition of “great” is. The same is true for purpose.

In my recent Bible study group, we talked about this idea of purpose, of God’s purpose for us.

Long before we were born, God designed our purpose for us. As the verse says, we are God’s handiwork and, of course, that means that He would have special plans for us. We may not always know what that is, we may not even understand it, but it’s been in motion for us from the very beginning.

God has a way of directing our path towards what He wants for us. If we listen. Remember, the Bible tells us that God has plans for us and that these plans are for prosperity and hope. But what happens when things go awry? What happens when we stray from the path that He has laid out for us? Do we lose that purpose? Does God change His plans for us?

No. Those plans are in place no matter what we do. For instance, if God’s purpose for us is Plan A, but we stray and get lost along the way, His purpose for us is still Plan A. It might take us longer to get there, it might even be harder to get there. We might have to learn some new lessons before we get there, but His purpose is still Plan A no matter what we do. I believe that this is a part of God’s grace for us. I believe that, because our purpose never goes away, God is still giving us a chance to fulfill His purpose for our lives. Sure, we might not think that what He has set for us is great, but you can bet that He does.

Remember, God used Moses, a man who stuttered, to lead His people out of Egypt. I’m sure Moses thought God made a big mistake by asking him to do it, but God knew what He was doing. He had plans for Moses, even as a baby. It’s why God protected him as an infant. Let’s not forget that He can take a shepherd boy named David and turned him into a giant killer and a king. Saul dressed David in armor, but David didn’t wear it. Instead, he took his sling and some rocks, and he stood against Goliath. God knew what He was doing with David. He had a noble purpose for David.  

So, if God can give these men a purpose and can help these men do great things, then He can do the same for us.

For God, being “great” isn’t about how much money we have, or how big our house is. It’s about Him. The things we do, is about bringing glory to Him, to His kingdom and to help reunite Him with his children. God didn’t create sin. The devil did that when he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden. That sin separated us from God, but He cared enough about us, that He gave us the most precious of gifts. His Son, Jesus Christ. Why? Because I believe, in my heart, that His greatest purpose for us is to be reunited with Him one day. We still have to make that choice to want that, but it’s a choice that God gave us through His Son.

God knew us before we were born, therefore He knew of His plans for us, too. We designed for something great. We received a purpose on this earth. That purpose is different for everyone. We each have talents, and He most certainly uses them when we give them to Him freely. We may not understand what that purpose is or know, but you can bet that when it’s time, we will discover it. 

I’m still not sure what my purpose is. Maybe it’s writing my book. Maybe it’s writing this post. Or maybe it’s helping others find their way to Him through my stories and testimony. Whatever that purpose is, I want to do it for Him. I’m not a speaker, I’m not a courageous person. I don’t like the spotlight. However, God has a plan for me. He helped me write my book and if one day I am ever asked to talk; I know He will give me the courage and the strength to do so.

I’m still trying to get used to talking about myself, but I have been reminding myself that I’m not doing it for my glory, but for God’s glory. If this is where He wants me, I’ll do it the best that I can with His help. I know He has a purpose for me, and I hope, while I am on this earth, I can fulfill it. In return, I know He will provide for me and my family. I have the faith in Him for that. No matter what happens or where I go or what I do, great is His purpose.

K. M. Leffler