One of the greatest joys of my life is to be blessed with four children. Though they are now all adults, I have always enjoyed talking and listening to them, being with them, encouraging them in faith, helping each to be the best person they can be, and being deeply committed to the welfare of their lives. I believe that God, our Heavenly Father, must feel similarly about each one of his children. He wants to relate with each one of us, talk to us, listen to us. He wants to be in our lives and he wants to help us do our best. He wants to guide us, and to warn us when necessary. And he wants this relationship to last, not just a day or a month, but a lifetime, and on into eternity.
So if you ask, “How does God want us to live as his children?” perhaps the best answer is that he wants us to have a trusting relationship with Him. He wants us to…
…trust his word of forgiveness given through Jesus.
…trust his word of commandment.
…trust his word of the promise of His presence.
…trust his word of guidance and warning.
…trust his word of committed love.
…trust his word of eternal life.
Living in relationship with God influences every part of your life: school, work, friendship, marriage, family, health. He loves you and wants the very best for you in the long run. A loving earthly father permits his children to be unhappy for a time (immunization shots, no candy before supper, television off, bedtimes, electronics put away, etc.) because he has the long-term interest and the long-term picture in mind. God, our Heavenly Father, is similar in that way. It is not God’s number one goal for each person to have a happy earthly life. But it is God’s number one goal for each person to have a happy eternal life. This is precisely why Jesus entered into our world. He came to pay for our selfish sin, to die on the cross for us, to rise conquering the power of death, and to offer forgiveness and eternal life to us.
Purpose: God most certainly has a purpose, really many purposes, for your life. There are two commandments that describe the general purpose for every human life (from Jesus in Mark 12:30, 31):
1, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Specifically, God has given you intellect, talents, experiences, and people in your life to help you live out these two over-riding commands listed above. God wants you to use those gifts faithfully, and as you do, purpose and meaning will be experienced. A best-selling book that deals in great detail with this question of purpose is written by Pastor Rich Warren entitled, The Purpose-Driven Life. The subtitle is, What On Earth Am I Here For? I have purchased over 100 copies to distribute to church members because I think it’s very helpful to find and seek to live our lives according to our purpose.
Direction: God gives specific commandments to direct you in specific situations, but these don’t direct all aspects of those situations. For example, God commands you not to commit adultery. But God does not specifically command you to marry a particular person. God does give direction that can help a person sort through this important question in life. But God is not a puppet-master pulling the strings of your life. He gives you His Word (The Bible), intellect, experience, prayer, and other people, to help you sort through many of the decisions and choices of life.
Again, to go back to the initial paragraph, God is our Heavenly Father who has the best interests of His children in mind, yet He will not force His will upon his children. Instead, through Word, love and purpose He pulls them towards the best direction for their lives, seeking always a relationship with his children. And God is willing to pay the price for that relationship.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am trying to figure out this gift of my life that you have given me. Since you have made me, you must have a purpose for me. Help me to find that purpose. Even more, help me to live my life in relationship with you. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
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